From mall show to music video: Christian shares ‘full circle’ moment with Barbie

MANILA, Philippines — Christian Bautista never imagined that the “young, bright-eyed” girl he came across with some time ago during one of his mall shows would turn out to be the same lady he got to share the stage with years later. That young lady is Barbie Forteza.
During the Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by Universal Records Philippines for the popular loveteam of Barbie and David Licauco (also known as BarDa) together with their fans, Christian narrated to this paper his full-circle moment with the Kapuso actress.
He met Barbie for the first time in a mall show in Laguna years ago. “I didn’t know how she got to the stage basta nakaakyat siya sa stage tapos, parang nagulat ako and then, her parents introduced her to me. I was just so amazed and it was such a cute moment,” the singer recalled.
“Every time I go to Laguna for a mall show, I would see her again. Siguro, I would see her two or three more times. It’s just always nice that I would see this young lady go up the stage to watch my shows,” he added.
They had not seen each other in years after that until they met again in a theater awards show and Barbie was already with GMA. “And then, she went up to me, ‘Kuya Christian, ako yung young lady na umaakyat sa stage. Wow! Yes, I remember.’ I remember specifically her eyes. Kasi it’s always like bright-eyed. Very big and bright.”
Fast forward to the present, Christian and Barbie are both Kapuso talents who have shared the stage in GMA’s variety show All-Out Sundays. She was featured, opposite her onscreen partner David, in the official music video of Ben&Ben’s cover of The Way You Look at Me, originally performed by Christian.
It’s the same song that Barbie sang with Christian during his mall show. “We have come full circle indeed. I’m blessed to know she is still full of wonder. Her talent has multiplied. And yet her kindness remains. Proud of you!” Christian penned this message on his Instagram with photos of them together years apart.
Christian also participated in the music video with actress Shuvee Etrata. Released under Universal Records Philippines, the video has generated more than 1.4 million views on YouTube, as of this writing.

Christian was “very happy” that Barbie and David made the music video “extra special with their performance.”
He described the BarDa loveteam as “strong,” adding, “Talagang ito yung mga once-in-a-lifetime moments na the support of the fandom is just so huge. It’s just full of love and support for both of them together and individually.”
Moreover, Christian just celebrated his 20th year in showbiz. The greatest lesson he learned from the industry, as he told The STAR, is, “There will be times that it will be so much fun and there will be times that it will be so hard but you just have to keep the faith, keep your goals in mind and always keep God in the center.”
He also hoped to “release more songs in different countries, more songs to contribute to OPM and more musicals or shows (to do) on TV. Basically, just keep on working. And keep on hopefully delivering and to create more (songs).”
Christian likewise cited the rise of the P-pop genre and artists. “P-pop is amazing,” he commented. “Andaming different styles, different artists, bands and groups. Talagang nagbibigay sila ng bagong fuel, flame and passion sa OPM.”
The 41-year-old crooner’s advice to the younger generation of artists is to “definitely work hard.”
“Partner with the right people, don’t be selfish (and) be open to collaboration. Work well, hopefully, with everyone. And be practical also, sometimes kasi there are times na to push for it, there are times to take a break and get back to it again,” he furthered.

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