What Christian Bautista rediscovered about himself while waxing latest album

Christian Bautista

Christian Bautista

He may have numerous hit records, sold-out concerts and awards, but Christian Bautista is not one who sits on his laurels. The romantic balladeer continues his journey to find his next musical path via his seventh album, “Kapit.”

The carrier single is the theme song of the Koreanovela, “Innocent Defendant.” Also featured in the album are “Maghihintay” (a duet with Gabbi Garcia), “Huling Harana,” “Suddenly” (with Jennylyn Mercado), “Ikaw Lamang (with Morissette Amon) and “Two Forevers” (with “American Idol” alumna Jessica Sanchez).

As for Christian’s real-life “ka-duet” (Kat Ramnani), he would rather keep their romance low-key lest it goes off-key.

Here’s my chat with Christian:

What makes “Kapit” different from your previous albums? It marks the first time I cowrote and coproduced a lot of the tracks, including the first two singles, “Kapit” and “Huling Harana.”

You mentioned that your new album is sort of a self-rediscovery. So, what did you learn about yourself while making it? I discovered that it’s OK to write about hardship and insecurities. I learned that it’s more meaningful if a song has more of yourself in it.

Tell us about the creative process you go through when you write a song. Sometimes, I think of the melody first; sometimes, it’s the lyrics. I put these ideas in my phone. When creativity hits me, I put them all together.

What’s your message to your ex-girlfriend, Rachelle Ann Go and her fiancé Martin Spies? I pray for a lovely future for her and Martin. I wish them well.

If they invite you to sing at their wedding, what song would you sing for the newlyweds?
I would probably ask Sarah (Geronimo) to sing a duet with me: “I Finally Found Someone.”

What’s the most challenging part about composing songs? The challenging part is always the question I ask myself: Is it good enough?

Do you write songs better when you’re sad or happy? It’s easier to write songs when I’m sad. I’m a bit of a melancholic person. But, I’m all for happy songs, as well, because when you’re full of joy, you just have to express it.

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I had a birthday blast at the opening of Chinoy Express (CE) in Macau (Rua da Alfandega). It is a stone’s throw away from the famous street, Rua da Felicidade, where some scenes of “Now You See Me 2” were shot. The cozy resto boasts of authentic Pinoy food with a twist (call 853 28530126). Its “hugot”-filled menu cracked me up. My heartfelt thanks to my “family” in Macau, John and Rose Aquino, owners of CE, for an unforgettable birthday celebration. Betcha by golly, Macau!

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