Christian to wed nonshow biz fiancée twice

Christian Bautista (left) and fiancée Kat Ramnani

Christian Bautista and his nonshow biz fiancée, Kat Ramnani, are set to have two wedding ceremonies—the first one in Bali, Indonesia, in December, followed by another in the Philippines.

While the singer-actor had been keeping the Bali wedding a secret, it was inadvertently revealed by Mark Bautista in a video message for Christian during a recent interview with “Level Up Showbiz Saturdate” on Radyo Inquirer.

“It will be short and simple, with a nice view,” Christian said. “It will be intimate and attended by close friends. Music, of course, will be a big part of it. I want everyone to have a good time.”

Christian and Kat, an executive at a telecommunications company, have been busy with preparations for the past couple of months. “I know that a wedding is for the bride, so what she wants, she will have. But Kat is fair; she reminds me that it’s my wedding, too, and lets me decide,” he related.

Asked how he feels marriage will change him, the 36-year-old balladeer said he expected that there would be a shift in his priorities in life. “After tying the knot, Kat and I will be one. And my wife comes first,” he pointed out. “But fortunately, she’s understanding of my work … She watches my shows.”

The best thing about their relationship, Christian said, is that they complement each other well. “She loves math, which I hate. In turn, I try to get her into arts more,” he related. “Another thing I picked up from her is her being organized. Because of her, I now use a calendar and learned how to read Excel.”

The couple is considering going on a honeymoon a year after the wedding. “We don’t intend to have a baby during our first two years as a married couple. But ideally, we would like to have one or two kids,” he said.

Christian was recently invited to perform with the ’90s boy group Boyzone during the recent Manila stop of its farewell and 25th anniversary tour. It was nerve-wracking, admitted Christian, especially since he was asked to sing the lines of the late member Stephen Gately in “No Matter What.”

Christian Bautista (center) with Boyzone —KRIS ROCHA FOR OVATION PRODUCTIONS

“It was a live collaboration with Boyzone in one of its last shows ever, and I was to sing Stephen’s parts. I was so nervous! I knew I had to sing well,” Christian said. “I did the harmonies while Ronan (Keating) did the lead parts, then I was given the high solo part toward the bridge. Luckily, I thought I did it justice.”

What struck him the most about the Boyzone members—also composed of Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Michael Graham—was their generosity. “They’re all very kind. We rehearsed twice and complimented me,” related Christian, who was also the show’s front act.

“They were very humble. I guess when you’re as accomplished as they are and have been in the music industry for 25 years, you become more willing to give the spotlight to someone else,” he added.

Now, Christian, who’s celebrating his 15th anniversary in the business, is sharing what he has learned through the years with aspiring singers in GMA 7’s talent search, “The Clash.”

“When I was competing in ‘Star in a Million,’ I forced myself to do birit songs even if it’s not my style, because I felt it was the only way I could compete with Erik Santos and Sheryn Regis. And I lost,” recalled Christian, who’s one of the talent search’s judges. “Now, I tell the contestants that they shouldn’t turn themselves into something they’re not—use your own strengths.”