Joanna Ampil (Image: Facebook/@joanna-ampil)
Perhaps it’s a coincidence that Mark Bautista released a memoir where he opens up on his sexuality and is then appearing in Joanna Ampil’s concert titled “Love Wins.”
While the term “love wins” was coined to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage, for Ampil it centers on making her dreams come true.
Following the publicity from Bautista’s coming out, she doesn’t mind that the attention could be diverted toward him.
Mark Bautista (Image: Facebook/@markofficial)
She shared in an exclusive interview with the Philippine Entertainment Portal that he felt concerned about taking the spotlight away from her after he admitted being bisexual in his book “Beyond the Mark.”
Bautista also revealed an “intimate” sexual encounter with a man he did not name.
She gave him words of reassurance: “‘It doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, masaya ako na makasama kita sa concert (I’m happy to be with you in the concert).”
Before the book was released, she posted on social media, “Amidst the noise and the judgements by some people, I have the highest respect for you for being so brave and putting your innermost being out there. You have my full support.”
She admitted in the interview that she had heard rumors about his sexuality, but it was Bautista himself who told her.
“I completely admire the guy, you know, that he’s brave enough to expose himself in that way,” she said.
While she’s worried about the bashing, she believes many support his decision and “that’s what he should focus on.”
Referring to the concert, she added, “This is more of a celebration of love, you know, we’re supporting each other here. We’re supporting our fellow artists na nasa show.”
“Love Wins” begins at 8:30 p.m. at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig city. Niña V. Guno /ra
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