 Mark Bautista: “You have to continue dreaming”
by Tinna S. Bonifacio
He goes by the title “Pop Heartthrob”, but is sometimes referred to as “The Other Champion”—because in case anyone forgot, he was the runner-up to Sarah Geronimo in Star For A Night back in 2003. And while Sarah has gone on to the success that everyone expected her to have, Mark Bautista is not without success of his own.
Mark has done well for himself as an actor and singer. His albums have earned gold and platinum awards. He played the title role in Lastikman, and has appeared in some of television’s top shows like Maalaala Mo Kaya in which he proved he can be a skilled dramatic actor. His recent projects include the movie Status: Single with Rufa Mae Quinto, and the post-Valentine concert Pop Icons on February 21 at the Araneta Coliseum in which he shares top billing with Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Christian Bautista and Erik Santos.
Now Mark talks to JobsDB about his career success and how he achieved it.
You are both an actor and a singer. Which career do you enjoy more?
Before pa ako pumasok sa show biz, nag-teatro ako. Doon ko na-develop ang passion ko sa acting. So when I was given acting jobs, hindi na bago sa akin. Pero ang pagkanta, mas natural sa akin.
Like Sarah Geronimo, you’ve come a long way since your Star For A Night days. What have been the biggest changes in your life since then?
Dati sobrang viewer ka lang. Ngayon, ikaw na yung nandoon. Ang dami kong natutunan, lalo sa technical side ng singing and acting. Na-improve ko din ang artistry ko. Mas maingat na rin ako ngayon sa kilos ko. Dati, wala akong pakialam. Now I’ve learned that it’s important to choose your friends and the people that you trust.
Are you envious of the success Sarah has achieved?
Honestly, I’m happy for her. Bata pa lang siya, dream na niya ito. Unti-unti na niyang naaabot. Papunta na siya sa pagiging superstar. I have my own goals and my own dreams. Masaya ako sa na-achieve ko. Wala naman sigurong reason mainggit.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Laging sinasabi sa akin na you have to be humble. At mag-save ng pera. Hindi naman kasi habang buhay na nasa taas ka. That’s why with this Pop Icons concert, we’re not just singing in it; we’re also co-producing it [under the banner of Sunday Night Live productions, which is co-producing it with ASAP Live]. Eventually, we hope to produce other projects, like maybe even a movie. We’re thinking of venturing into other things, like producing more of our own concerts.
What has it been like, being co-producer of your own concert?
Masarap ang feeling, because you’re working with friends. And I think it’s important to mention, we’re all first-time producers. We’re artists, but we don’t know too much about the ins and outs of producing. Kaya thankful kami na hindi lang kami ang gumagalaw—maraming tumutulong sa amin pagdating sa legwork. It’s important that as an artist, you surround yourself with people you can depend on to teach you the right things, people who can help you.
How important is it to you as an artist to branch out and try other things?
In this business, you have to keep reinventing yourself. Dapat pag-aralan mo yung ibang mga bagay na puwede mong gawin. Every artist reaches a point where you want to try something different and something new.
What to you is the best and worst thing about having a career in show business?
The best would be the perks [na nakukuha mo] bilang artista. It’s also great that you get to express yourself and your talent, tapos nababayaran ka pa for it. Yung worst siguro, yung mga issues at yung pressure, na pati yung personal life mo, napapasok na. Hindi mo rin magawa ang mga normal things na nagagawa ng mga tao.
What advice would you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps?
Number one, you have to have the drive and the passion for what you’re doing. You have to believe in yourself. You need patience and perseverance, kasi marami kang rejection na mararanasan. Dapat hindi ka mawalan ng pag-asa. You have to continue dreaming.
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