Mark Bautista’s dreams come true

Among all the interviews I have done, my first encounter with Mark Bautista stands out in my memory. I was so moved by Mark’s story about his struggling days. He told me that since he did not have enough money for the fare to Manila, he stayed in the cargo section of the ship from Cagayan de Oro just so he could try his luck in the big city.

Mark is living proof that dreams do come true if we pursue it with passion and determination. After conquering Manila, he made his mark in London where he portrayed President Ferdinand Marcos in the disco musical “Here Lies Love.”

He’s back in town to perform in the stage musical “Bituing Walang Ningning” and the concert “South Pacific.” Mark has come a long, hard way which makes his success even sweeter.

Here’s my one-on-one with Mark:

What do you miss most about London?

The weather, the transport system and my friends there.

What was the highlight of your stay in London, aside from the play?

The 65th Evening Standard Awards night … I got to meet some of the most significant people in the British entertainment industry.

What did your London experience teach you?

Be proud to be Filipino, and love your work and never lose that passion in you.

HIS LONDON experience taught him to be “proud of being Filipino,” says Mark.

What are your roles in “Bituing Walang Ningning” and “South Pacific”?

I’m playing Nico Escobar in “Bituing Walang Ningning,” while

in “South Pacific,” I’m portraying Lt.Cable.

If you had to choose between singing and acting, which would you pursue?

Can’t I do both? Singing, maybe, because it’s my first love. And I got into the business because of a singing contest.

What’s your song for yourself these days?

“Mahawi Man ang Ulap,” from “Bituing Walang Ningning.”

In what ways are you still a simple “CDO boy”?

After two years of not having helpers, I can still clean my house and do chores with my two brothers. And I still pluck guava from the tree in front of my house.

What will it take for a girl to make you want to settle down?

She has to be funny, very smart and understanding.

If your life story were made into a movie, what would the title be?

“Dreamer.”

AMALIA Fuentes

Mama Nena turns 75

My beloved “second mom,” Amalia Fuentes (whom I call Mama Nena), celebrated her 75th birth anniversary with an intimate dinner at Sambokojin. I got misty-eyed when I read her invitation to me in my Facebook inbox: “Dear anak, hope to see you at my birth anniversary dinner. Your presence will bring Liezl back.”

It’s her first birth anniversary since her unica hija and my kumare, Liezl Martinez, passed away last March. So much has been written about their “unusual” relationship. But since I am privy to their goings-on, I know that even when they did not understand each other, their love remained rock-solid.

Mama Nena is still hurting, but being the true fighter that she is, she is savoring life the way Liezl did.

“It’s already a bonus that I’ve reached this age,” she quips. “I want to keep traveling and accomplish all the things on my bucket list. I enjoy eating whatever my heart desires because when I was younger, I was so deprived. I had to diet to be in tip-top shape for the movies.”

Even at 75, she has not lost that ageless Muhlach charm. It was so heartwarming to see Mama Nena and her brother, Tito Cheng (dad of Aga Muhlach) rib each other like teenagers.

Filmmaker Elwood Perez who was also at the fete, said that Mama Nena is his “forever idol.”

Although we both miss Liezl and my mom Inday Badiday (who was Mama Nena’s close friend), we smile at the thought that they just went ahead to reserve the best spot in heaven for us. Liezl and Mommy are irreplaceable in our lives. But it’s comforting to know that when I need some “mothering,” I can run to Mama Nena, and when she wants to dote on a daughter, I will always be around.

Chair Charo Charo Santos-Concio, president and CEO of ABS-CBN Corporation, will serve as gala chair of the 43rd International Emmy Awards (IEA) on Nov. 23 in New York.

She will preside over the gala, during which the International Academy will recognize programming in 10 categories and present special awards to Julian Fellowes, creator-writer of “Downton Abbey,” and Richard Plepler, chair and CEO of HBO.

“[She] is an internationally respected broadcast producer and executive who has spearheaded the growth of her organization to a leading position in the Philippines and the region beyond,” said Bruce Paisner, president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. “We are delighted to have her chair our 2015 gala.”

“Viewing habits of TV audiences worldwide have changed in recent years, but what has not changed is the passion of creators to produce excellent, meaningful and transformative content in different platforms that resonates with people and what the IEA celebrates annually. I am honored to chair this year’s gala,” she said.

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