Mark Bautista welcomes 2016 as a freelance and is just fine with such development.
“I believe that at this stage, it’s okay even if I’m not associated or tied with any network,” he says. “It gives me a refreshed feeling, as if I’m starting all over again…that I have to prove myself again. Honestly, it’s kind of inspiring.”
His contract with GMA expired two years ago. with Sunday All Stars as his last show for the network.
“Right after that, I felt I was hanging since they didn’t have any offer for another regular program. It’s good that various guesting stints from other channels came along, like ABS-CBN. For me, it’s good that no door was closed.”
Does he have any regret with the turn-out of his contract with the Kapuso network?
“None at all,” reveals Mark. “Actually, my relationship with them remains okay. In fact, they still give me guesting stints in some of their programs like Sunday Pinasaya and StarStruck. It was just hard when SAS got axed and we talents weren’t prepared then.
“You know, when it comes to having regular shows, frustration has no room in my vocabulary. Over the years, I’ve learned to accept that it’s not a permanent thing. Be thankful if you are a mainstay of a particular program, go with the flow. But if by chance it gets off-air, don’t feel frustrated. It’s part of the package.”
His next big show will be on TV 5. It’s a reality talent program reminiscent of Star for a Night, only updated. He will co-host it with Ogie Alcasid.
“I’m excited with this because it’s something close to my heart. It’s where I started, right? First and foremost, I’m a singer. I’m grateful to Viva who will handle the show for considering me as one of the main hosts.”
Apart from this, Mark has no acting assignments with the Kapatid network.
“That’s right! It’s ABS-CBN which offers me to do some acting jobs like in Maalaala Mo Kaya and Ipaglaban Mo. They’ve invitations for me to appear in their future episodes. I just have to improve my physique first. Actually, this is the positive side of being a freelance artist, you can appear in all the networks.”
If there is one thing though that the singer misses doing is the theater. He was part of the successful London musical presentation titled Here Lies Love.
“It’s been a year now since it ended. How I miss the production! But there are talks that it will have a re-run on 2017. I don’t want to expect but definitely, I would love to be part of that again.”
Lastly, many want to know about the present state of his love life.
“Zero! Ha-ha-ha! My last relationship was with Gwendolyn (Ruais), our 2011 Miss World First Princess. After her, I didn’t have another one. I want my next relationship to be for keeps already,” ends Mark.
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Derek Ramsay was very happy to celebrate Christmas with son Austin in Palawan. It’s one rare occasion in which their bonding was long.
“We truly had a good time together. I can say that it’s my best trip ever with my son. We were out in the cold, enjoyed our time on the beach. Austin and I really made some catching up and it was great. I can’t compare it to any other Christmases I’ve had! ” he avers.
Apart from swimming, what other activity did they enjoy doing together on this vacation?
“Boat riding! Yes, we really enjoyed it. It’s good that my family owns a property in San Vicente, Palawan a beachfront one so we truly enjoyed the waters!”
The hunky actor’s present flame, Joanne Villablanca was also there to spend the holidays with him. Both posted sweet messages in their Instagram accounts professing their love for each other.
