Despite a number of fellow Kapuso talents who have decided to transfer to a rival network, one of Asia’s top balladeers has chosen to remain loyal to GMA Network. On Thursday, July 21, Christian Bautista inked another two-year exclusive contract with the network, also known as Kapuso (loosely translated as same-hearted) Network , and is excited about what the network has in store for him.
“Things are rolling, engines are heating up and we’re ready to go,” Christian told reporters.
Recognized as one of the Philippines’ best singers, Bautista still wants to explore other possibilities outside of singing and he is very much ready for it.
“I’m looking forward to hosting more shows, dancing, waiting for the next singing show and whatever the channel feels that I’m good for, I’m ready for that,” he said.
Indeed, things are going well for Bautista and his wish to dabble in other forms of entertainment has been granted as he has become a part of the biggest “telefantasya” of the Kapuso network, “Encantadia,” which has just concluded its first pilot week.
“I really had to do my best to fit the role sa Encantadia. I think the whole GMA wanted to be part of that show, more guests coming, more storylines are coming,” Bautista said.
Despite having made it in the industry, Christian auditioned for the fantasy series just like the others who wanted to be part of it. He expressed elation to earn a role. Everything is indeed new to him and all this gives him the challenge and the perseverance to perform better.
“Fighting, acting, trying out costumes, being gwapo mga ganon, doing your best with the most gwapo, most gwapo dad coz I’m a dad. Everyone naman had to go through a process and everyone had to really fit the part. It’s more fulfilling if you get into an audition,” he said.
Even GMA CEO and Chairman Felipe Gozon has only good words for Bautista for being a loyal Kapuso. He considers the singer as a gem of the network.
“Pumirma na naman sa’tin si Christian dahil hindi lamang tunay na Christian si Christian, mahusay kumanta ‘yan, marunong umakto, kagabi lang napanood ko yung role niya sa Encantadia, magaling. We consider ourselves lucky to have an actor like Christian in our station,” Gozon said.
Happy with his love life
Being in the industry and being with women in the industry has definitely put color into Bautista’s love life. Surely, the 34-year-old bachelor as found “the one.”
He smiled as the media men asked him about his love life: “Mabuti naman, minsan private, minsan public.”
Bautista revealed the name of his girlfriend of one year as Kat Ramnani, a non-showbiz personality whom he described as a very private person.
“Yung public, yung last appearance namin sa the Preview ball, si Kat Ramnani. She’s a mix of Indian, Irish, American, Filipino. I met her in a breakout room, in a mystery room, it’s a game room that you have to solve, na para kayong barkada, ang title niya either Breakout or Mystery Manila. ‘Pag wala kayong magawa as a barkada punta kayo dun. Basta dumating na lang siya, sinama siya ng friend ko, tapos dun na lang kami nagkita,” Bautista said.
Bautista said that what attracted him the most to his girlfriend was her intelligence.
“She’s really smart, andami ko natututunan sa kanya in terms of details, improving your capacity to doing your best, hindi puwede yung puwede na. Intellectual gymnastics,” he said.
Bautista describes himself as the “service” type of boyfriend, or more into acts than gift-giving.
“Ang love language ko is service, kung meron akong time na magsundo, kung meron akong time na mag-ayos ng nasirang lock, ‘di ako masyado sa gifts kasi ganun din siya,” he explained.
Being in the industry filled with temptations, Bautista is confident about his love for his girlfriend. He said he was very lucky that he got a “very understanding” girlfriend.
“She knows naman na I’m part of the industry, saka nakita naman niya lahat ng mga music video ko dati kaya more likely she knows na what she’s gonna get into. She’s very understanding,” Christian said.
However, despite the bandwagon of celebrities getting married and his age being ripe for marriage, Bautista is in no rush to settle down.
“Sa ngayon wala pa namang marriage plans. Mag-iipon muna ko ng maraming maraming pera,” he said.
Dream leading lady
Since the top-notch balladeer has ventured into acting, he dreams of working with one Kapuso leading lady in the future, Jennylyn Mercado.
Christian expressed his admiration for Mercado’s beauty and talent, and credits her for emerging unscathed from all the trials she’s been through.
“She’s beautiful, she’s gone through so many things and yet she seems to have so much success especially in movies and endorsements,” he said.