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Having dreams of being a well-known singer to support his family, a young Mark Bautista rode a cargo ship from Cagayan de Oro (CDO) to Manila to audition for the reality singing competition Star for a Night. With only little pocket money and huge dreams in tow, Mark bravely took a leap, passed the auditions, and made it all the way to the grand finals where he was hailed as the first runner-up.

Yet, it did not end there. Opportunities came swiftly for Mark, from album releases to concerts, TV & movie appearances and international performances. The dreams of that young kid from CDO finally came into reality after a long journey, and that’s what Mark wanted to celebrate through his recently-concluded concert  “Mark My Dreams.”

“Ang baon ko lang [noon] ay ang aking courage and my dreams without expecting anything and God has been so good. I want to bring you back to that special moment, ’yong Star for a Night, doon talaga nag-umpisa lahat,” he told concert goers at the Theater at Solaire last Saturday, August 31.

Mark took everyone on an inspiring journey on how his dreams were fulfilled. Check out some of the best moments of “Mark My Dreams” below and see how the Pop Heartthrob has truly worked hard to where he is today.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

For his final piece as a grand finalist of Star for a Night, Mark performed the Basil Valdez classic “Ngayon at Kailanman” which gave him the title of first runner-up.

In his concert, he gave his supporters a feeling of nostalgia after showcasing his final performance for the show via the big screen and performing the song on the stage alongside his younger self.

Mark, then, expressed his gratitude for the show as it opened a lot of doors for him when it comes to singing and acting.

“Hindi nagtapos doon ang aking journey,” he said. “After ng contest, Viva signed me up. Napasama ako sa teleserye ni Sarah Geronimo, first teleserye namin from ABS-CBN, ’yong Sarah The Teen Princess. Nakasama din ako sa singing champions sa ASAP, nagkaroon ng mga commercials.”

“It’s been 21 years. Salamat sa panonood dahil nakakapagperform pa rin ako ngayon at nandiyan pa rin kayo para sumuporta sa inyo. Maraming maraming salamat,” he added.

A MOTHER AND FATHER’S LOVE

Mark also paid homage to the people who supported him the most in his showbiz journey—his parents. His mother Susan, who was in the audience, was in tears after he dedicated her favorite song—”Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn—to her.

“Grabe ’yong mga sacrifices ng mama ko,” he said. “I want to dedicate this song to her because it’s her favorite song.”

After that, he remembered his late father Darni, who passed away in January 2020, by performing “And I Love You So” by Perry Como, the latter’s favorite song. He recalled he was performing amidst a concert back then when he learned of his father’s passing.

“That was the hardest, most difficult time for me, pero sabi nga nila na ‘The show must go on.” Isa siya sa mga supporter ko talaga, na kahit anong mangyari nandiyan sila. Wherever you are, Pa, this is for you. You’ll always be in my heart,” he said.

A DUET WITH THE MODERN GREATS

Mark also placed the spotlight on two of OPM’s current hitmakers, namely Rob Deniel and Arthur Nery, by performing their hit songs with them. Mark and Rob serenaded the crowd with “Miss Miss” while he and Arthur got the crowd all giddy with “Pagsamo.”

”I’m so happy that tonight, joining me are two of our talented OPM artists today whose songs I enjoy,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with pikapika.ph, Mark is hopeful that he will be able to collaborate with Rob and Arthur through songwriting.

“I hope to collaborate with them in songwriting, especially for Arthur. Or maybe I learn from him kung paano ’yong proseso niya. Magcreate kami ng song, something like that,” he said.

HIS SECOND FAMILY

Mark expressed gratitude to Viva Entertainment, his second family in show business, who gave him more opportunities when it comes to reinforcing his singing career and expanding into the realm of acting.

Apart from having various studio albums under Viva Records, Mark also had movie roles in Viva Films, including his first lead role in Lastikman: Unang Banat. During the beginning of Mark’s concert, in fact, choreographer Jim Amen entered the stage as Lastikman, paying homage to the singer playing the role in 2004.

“From the very start of my career, may isa pang pamilya na talagang tumulong at nag-alaga sa akin. Walang iba po ’yan kundi ang Viva,” he said, before giving his thanks to Viva Chairman and CEO Vicente “Boss Vic” Del Rosario Jr. who was in attendance. “From recording to movies to concerts, kung saan-saang bansa na ko nakarating because of them. Boss Vic, thank you thank you so much. Sa buong Del Rosario clan, maraming salamat sa pag-alaga sa akin for 21 years.”

To express his gratitude to them even further, Mark performed two of Viva Records’ classic hits, “Bituing Walang Ningning” and “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” with Viva powerhouse singers Katrina Velarde and Jona.

MARK GOES ‘FULL MONTY’

Mark returned to his love for theater during the show by performing one of the song’s from the Broadway favorite The Full Monty. It could be recalled that in 2013, Mark made his theatrical debut for the Philippine production of the show.

Alongside Viva stars Migo Valid, Marco Gomez, Mon Mendoza, and Milo Cruz, Mark performed a sexy, exciting number of “Let It Go,” one of the songs from The Full Monty, that had the concertgoers screaming in delight.

BETU-BETO

Mark was one of the main hosts of the GMA variety show Sunday All Stars from 2013 to 2015. When the show ended, he flew to New York City to study music video editing. 

His final project for the course was a music video titled “Betu-Beto” which featured him roaming around the streets of New York. He directed and wrote the lyrics of the music video, which he featured during one of his concert’s intermissions. It filled his audience’s ears with glee because of its catchy, upbeat tune.

AN UNFORGETTABLE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE

Mark further reinforced his love for theater by joining the cast of Here Lies Love in London last September 2014. He portrayed the role of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. which he recalled during his concert, performing the song “Perfect Hand.”

“When I was offered a lead role sa musical na Here Lies Love, hindi ko inexpect. Never in my wildest dreams, eto ’yong sinasabi nating sa buhay natin ngayon, may ganun. Hindi mo naman pinangarap pero may dumating talaga sa’yo. Kaya eto ’yong magagamit kong phrase na never in my wildest dreams,” he said.

“Isipin niyo nag-cargo ship lang ako sa CDO, umabot sa Manila Bay ta’s dumirecho ng London Bridge. I am so blessed na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon,” he added.

Mark reprised the role of Marcos Sr. in the play’s Seattle production in 2017 after he met with the New York-based director of the play when he was studying music video editing. 

A NIGHT WITH BARBRA

Apart from singing and acting, Mark also had a stint as a concert director when he took on the helm in Mr. Streisand, a concert where male singers perform songs of multi-awarded American singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand.

Mark looked back at that momentous time of his career by singing the Streisand hit “The Main Event/Fight” with Mr. Streisand leads Audie Gemora, Franco Laurel, and Arman Ferrer.

Speaking of Barbra, another one of Mark’s many dreams was to perform a duet with her. He fulfilled that dream that night when he sang with a video of Barbra singing “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” making it seem like they were doing a duet together.

A PERFORMANCE BY CHAMPIONS

In a nostalgic reunion, Mark performed with his fellow ASAP Champions Erik Santos and Christian Bautista, which excited concert goers who were fans of their tandem in the past.

The three singers belted out to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel and, after the performance, the audience clamored for more.

”Very solid po ang aming friendship at talagang napatunayan ko ’yan, na through thick and thin, sa lowest point ng buhay natin, nandiyan kami para sa’yo,” Erik told Mark. 

“He’s a good man right here,” Christian told Mark. “We love you and congratulations.”

THE HUGE FACTOR

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid also made an appearance, performing a duet with Mark through the song “Tuwing Umuulan,” which is the original soundtrack of her 2000 film Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.

In an exclusive interview with pikapika.ph, Mark regarded Regine as the main factor why he joined Star for a Night where she was the main host of the show.

”Si Ms. Regine Velasquez, siya ’yong reason bakit ako sumali sa singing contest. [Siya] ang major major reason kung bakit ako napunta sa showbiz,” he said. “Kung hindi siya ’yong host ng Star for a Night, hindi ako maengganyong sumali.”

After their performance, Regine looked back at Mark’s humble beginnings in Star for a Night where she praised his determination to win the competition and his passion for the art of singing.

“’Yon ’yong nakita ko kay Mark, ’yong determination niya nandoon. And of course, he had this huge, beautiful, and so clear na voice talaga. I have fallen in love with his voice and his personality, he was so quiet,” she said.

“You are so very talented and I just want you to know that I’m so so proud of you. From then hanggang ngayon, you’ve never changed. Kung ano ’yong pakita mo sa akin, ’yon ’yong pakita mo sa ibang tao na nakakasalamuha mo. I am so proud of you,” she further told Mark.

A FITTING FINALE

Mark concluded his much-beloved concert with two fitting songs, namely “The Impossible Dream” and his iconic rendition of “I Need You.”

The first song, which he sang with the beautiful voices of his back-up choir, truly encapsulates the essence of his concert, which is about striving against the toughest challenges and winning through the other side, despite the world throws at you. It truly shows how Mark has gone far from being that young kid in CDO auditioning for Star for a Night, that he has achieved many successes and victories in life that is deemed worthy of being celebrated.

His final song for the night is one of his most iconic renditions. With over 7,000,000 streams on Spotify and well-received by his supporters, “I Need You” is one of the many pieces that put Mark on the map as an accomplished singer in the country. 

As Mark serenaded his supporters with the LeAnn Rimes hit, he went around the crowd and gave them hugs and photo opportunities, giving back to what they have given him for the last 21 years—a fulfillment of his dreams.

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