A season of plenty

Christian Bautista wouldn’t have done it hadn’t he excelled in singing – venture into the movies, that is. Everything in his career since Day One prepared him for it.

His song, The Way You Look at Me, topped Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand music charts. He conquered Indonesia via a guesting in Indonesian Idol featuring the country’s top musical director, Andi Riyanto (Indonesia’s equivalent of Ryan Cayabyab). Christian had a TV special of his own in Thailand and endorses Artea green tea in Indonesia (more endorsements are lined up in Thailand, Vietnam and China).

Christian is also the face of Singapore’s content provider Star SMS.

The crooner’s second international album, Completely, recently reached platinum status in the Philippines and Indonesia.

The balladeer, in short, took a different path en route to earning the title "Asian Idol." He won the hearts of our foreign neighbors before conquering the Philippines. It’s a case of reversing the trend, actually.

The effect so impressed Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde she lost no time in signing Christian up to an exclusive contract.

His first assigment is a no-sweat one where his talent is concerned. Christian plays a Chinoy superstar singer in the Metro Filmfest entry Mano Po 5: Gua Ay Di.

So unlike his Kampanerang Kuba days when he was a reluctant actor opposite title roler Anne Curtis, Christian can’t wait to see his first movie, which opens Dec. 25 in theaters.

"The offer (two films for two years) came at the perfect time," Christian’s manager Carlo Orosa says. Christian is riding the crest of the popularity wave because of his recording career.

The balladeer threw himself in acting workshops under mentor Audie Gemora with gusto. He learned conversational Chinese as fast as he can for his dialogues as the man Angel Locsin’s parents (played with comic flair by Lorna Tolentino and Tirso Cruz III) chose for their Chinese daughter.

Christian’s fight scene alone with Richard Gutierrez (as the Filipino Angel falls in love with) – in his comeback role as her partner – was a first for the singer. It took all of six hours to finish.

But both guys came to the set well-equipped. Regal provided martial arts experts as trainors. Thus, Richard and Christian had a blast doing the grueling fight scene.

That scene may be pure fiction. And the conflict in the movie – true love vs. parental objection, may be foreign to Christian. He has no problems winning the hearts of girlfriend Rachelle Anne Go’s parents, part Chinese though she may be. But – heaven forbid – what if the winds of change suddenly blow hard and Christian’s relationship with Rachelle’s parents turn from sweet to sour?

What if Christian discovers – to his chagrin – that he can’t treat Rachel anymore to their favorite restaurant, Café Juanita in Tagaytay anymore? Or that he can’t even set foot in her home?

Christian’s reply shows he lets his head rule over his heart.

"I will fight for my love, yes. But if nothing happens, I will weigh things carefully. What’s more important, for the relationship to break a family, or for us to be together?"

If the girl’s family insists in keeping them apart, Christian says he will let her go. It will break his heart. But he won’t ever antagonize her family:

Family, after all, sits high on Christian’s priority list. He always shows up in the annual Christmas family reunion in their native Cavite.

The air is always festive, with the clan feasting over food and laughing over private jokes. Christian’s family members even scramble for coins the elders throw for everyone to bring home during Christmas parties.

So attached is Christian to his roots his dream role is that of Emilio Aguinaldo, mainly because he also hails from Cavite.

It is Christian’s closeness to his mother that gave birth to a foundation the singer wants to start on next year. The foundation, to be ran by his fans’ club, will provide preschool education to poor children.

The scheme is also an offshoot of Christian’s long-term commitment to World Vision, where he supports projects geared towards child education.

The guy is blessed. Like other things in his career, Christian didn’t ask for a role in any movie.

"We didn’t think the offer would come this soon," says Carlo Orosa.

But here he is, getting his first break – not just in any movie, but in a big-budget project starring, aside from Lorna and Tirso, Gina Alajar and Boots Anson-Roa, among others.

Christian didn’t ask for it, but he bagged the Mano Po 5 role more seasoned actors would give their right arm to play. And he has Rachelle Ann by his side to cheer him up all the way.

Christian has more reason to see his lady love next year. He and Rachelle Ann will topbill a concert at the Aliw Theater. The singing lovebirds will also make beautiful music together in Europe and the US via a concert tour in the last quarter of 2007.

Christian’s mother recording studio, Warner Music, will release his new album, It’s Just a Love Song, not only in the Philippines but all over Asia, next month.

He will return to Indonesia for a concert tour and for an Oishi endorsement.

Everything is falling in place. That’s why Christian is doing what an enlightened member of his class would do: share his blessings.

Yes, Christian Bautista is living up to his name.