“I think everything just fell into place. It’s God’s will.”
These were the words uttered by “Pop Heartthrob” Mark Bautista when asked to describe his being a comebacking Kapuso star in an interview with The FREEMAN during his recent visit to Cebu.
According to Mark, he did not really transfer from ABS-CBN, where he used to be regularly seen on its musical-variety show “ASAP,” but that he just returned to GMA-7.
The versatile singer-actor is now back in his original home network as he signed a three-year guaranteed exclusive contract with GMA-7last March 11 together with his manager, Veronique del Rosario of Viva Artist Agency.
“I did not really transfer from ABS (CBN). This is more of a sweet comeback, because I really started with GMA,” said Mark.
It can be recalled that before Mark became a Kapamilya, he was, in 2003, a performer on “SOP” along with Sarah Geronimo. It was a stint they both earned after winning in “Star for a Night” (he placed first runner-up to Geronimo)—Viva’s singing competition that was hosted by Regine Velasquez and aired on IBC-13.
But eventually he had to leave “SOP” because Viva Artist Agency, his talent management agency, moved him and Sarah to the Kapamilya Network.
While at ABS-CBN, Mark made his mark as a performer, becoming one of the regulars at the top-rating Sunday musical-variety show “ASAP.”
He had acting stints as well. He was part of the teleseryes Sarah: The Teen Princess, Kampanerang Kuba, Sana Maulit Muli and May Bukas Pa. He was also seen in the episodes of Wansapanataym, Maalaala Mo Kaya and Your Song Presents.
Through the years, or at least in the seven years that he was with ABS-CBN, Mark has remained with Viva’s stable of artists, which also includes Anne Curtis and Rachelle Ann Go, who also just recently became a Kapuso again. Mark, who jumpstarted his career via the pioneering singing contest “Star for a Night” several years ago, then rose to prominence by getting identified with Sarah Geronimo as perennial partner in concerts, commercials, and TV projects.
His return to GMA may mean leaving longstanding friends, including Sarah, and projects behind, but it’s not hard to understand that his latest career move also means moving to greener pastures and bigger opportunities for growth as an artist.
He has signed up for three shows with the Kapuso network. One is the Sunday musical-variety show, “Party Pilipinas,” which replaced “SOP” and is the rival of “ASAP.” He will be joining the ranks of musical stalwarts Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, and Jaya.
He is also expected to guest on primetime musical TV series “Diva” and is slated to tackle a leading man role in a primetime drama series.
“Everything moved in a fast-paced mode. I was surprised that they came up with a decision that really fast. Both Viva and ABS (CBN) agreed on it. That’s why I could say that everything really fell into place. This is the right time and it’s God’s will,” enthused Mark.
“As artists, we really need to grow. I believe that returning to my home network was God’s plan for me to grow as an individual and as a performer,” said Mark.
He also belied reports that he was not happy at his management’s decision to move him back to GMA-7.
“That is not true. I’m happy with my return to GMA. They are giving me great chances to be developed as an artist,” he said.
The singer stressed that he cannot ask for anything more right now, saying instead that he’s looking forward to a brighter future for his career with GMA.
“I felt pressured, yes, but I felt more excited because I’m sure that GMA will be strongly backing me,” said Mark.
A Mark Bautista fanatic and blogger said, “We can’t blame Mark if he decides to switch networks because he doesn’t have much projects on ABS-CBN. But I thought Mark already got the needed exposure on ABS-CBN when it comes to concerts abroad. Or maybe he wanted more.”
During the interview, Mark was queried about his lovelife. Mark once dated the Fil-Canadian beauty queen and “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2” housemate, Riza Santos. Then in 2008, Mark publicly declared his intentions to court the “Pop Princess” Sarah Geronimo after knowing each other for so long.
No romantic relationship between the two has emerged since he became vocal about his admiration, although in an interview late last year, Sarah said that Mark has been a persistent and consistent suitor, and who knows, they might end up together.
After he and Sarah were last paired together in the TV series “Pangarap na Bituin,” Mark admitted that his former co-star has gone a long way since he first met her, but only in terms of career. He said that despite Sarah’s growing popularity, she has remained level-headed and grounded—and that’s what he really likes about her.
“Sarah has never changed. What she was like before and what she is like now—nothing has changed. She has improved a lot as an artist, but her humility is irreplaceable. Of course, as an artist, she needs to elevate her level of artistry and she was able to improve it. I guess those were just the simple changes that I saw in her, but attitude-wise, she’s not changed despite her popularity,” Mark said.
And while his return to GMA-7 will now greatly minimize the opportunities to share the stage with Sarah, he believes that this will not in any way change the good friendship that they share. He said, “Our friendship will always be there.”
Mark was in the US just this May as the special guest of Sarah’s “Record Breaker” series of concerts.
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