After seven years in the entertainment industry, Mark Bautista remains passionate about singing.
"Maintain your passion for your craft," says Mark, who entered the music industry in 2002. He was the runner-up to Star For A Night champion, Sarah Geronimo.
He signed a contract with ABS-CBN and went on to release his self-titled debut album under Viva Records, which turned gold after only a couple of months.
Mark appeared in the movies Masikip Sa Dibdib (2004), Lastikman: Unang Banat (2004), Paano Kita Iibigin (2007), Baler (2008), Status: Single (2009), Sundo (2009), and Kimmy Dora (2009). He also graced numerous television projects.
The 27-year-old singer joined GMA-7 last year and was immediately included in Party Pilipinas. He was cast in the primetime series Diva, and the Kapuso Network's latest telefantasya offering, Dwarfina.
He will appear in the reunion movie of Aga Muhlach and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Of All The Things.
HOPEFUL ALBUM. Mark's love for singing remains his top priority despite numerous acting projects.
He has released three albums in the past: Dream On (2005), Every Now and Then (2007), and I'll Be The One (2008).
His new album, Nagmamahal, which has 13 tracks, was completed in three months. It could be regarded as Mark's most accomplished record because of the concept and materials.
The first single is a remake of the Wendell Ong hit, "Kahit May Mahal Ka Ng Iba," which was composed by Vehnee Saturno.
Vehnee Saturno also composed the tracks of "Buong Puso" and "Mayroon Bang Muli."
Chuckie Dreyfuss, a former That's Entertainment cast member who is now a songwriter-producer, contributed the song, "Buksan Mo."
Other titles that made it to the album include Willie Cruz's "Nang Minsan Lang," Gino Padilla's "Gusto Kita," and Basil Valdez's "Paano Ba Ang Mangarap."
Mark is particularly fond of his rendition of Basil's hit, describing the arrangement as "grandioso" and reminiscent of opera.
"The message is very hopeful," he adds.
But what makes Nagmamahal even more special is the addition of Mark's own compositions, "Ok Lang," which is about unrequited love, and "Bakit," which deals with love gone cold.
Nagmamahal is proof of Mark's maturity as an artist. He admits that he was more involved in the process of making the album compared to his past efforts.