Christian Bautista

Biography

Christian Joseph Morata Bautista (born October 19, 1979) is a Filipino singer, dancer, model, and TV host. He was a finalist of Star in a Million, a Philippine reality show aired on ABS-CBN channel, winning 4th place in the competition in 2003. After the contest, he signed a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines and released his debut album, Christian Bautista. The multiplatinum album established his name as an OPM artist with notable songs such as "The Way You Look at Me×The Way You Look At Me8 May 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The Way You Look At Me3:27" and "Hands to Heaven". The singer, dubbed "Asia's Romantic Balladeer", gained popularity not only in the Philippines but in other countries in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. He is currently an exclusive talent of GMA Network.
Bautista has also collaborated with fellow Filipino singers Nina, Sitti, Rachelle Ann Go, Sarah Geronimo, Sheryn Regis, Erik Santos and Mark Bautista and once with Indonesian recording artist Bunga Citra Lestari performing "Tetaplah Di Hatiku", the Indonesian version of Please Be Careful with My Heart following his success in Indonesia. Prior to his transfer to GMA Network, he regularly appeared in ABS-CBN's variety show ASAP.
Bautista shot The Kitchen Musical with fellow Stages talent Karylle and other Asian and Filipino talents in Singapore.
After being with ABS-CBN for 10 years, Bautista transferred to GMA Network and signed a three-year exclusive contract on March 20, 2013.
Bautista renewed his contract with GMA Network on July 28, 2021.

Childhood and youth

Bautista was born in Imus, Cavite, on October 19, 1981. He is the eldest of three siblings, sons of Josefa Rizalina and Ebert Bautista. He was a choir member in their church since he was seven years old.
Bautista studied grade school and high school at International Christian Academy in Sucat, Paranaque, which also hailed other Filipino actors such as Ryan Eigenmann, Geoff Eigenmann, Rico Yan and Billy Joe Crawford. He then took up landscape architecture at the University of the Philippines Diliman, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a table tennis varsity player during college before focusing on singing and entering showbiz.

2003–2004: Star in a Million and self-titled album

Bautista gained popularity after becoming the first grand finalist on ABS-CBN's reality singing competition Star in a Million. Though placing only fourth overall, he quickly become one of the most popular contestants, and was offered a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines shortly after he was eliminated from the show. He released the single "The Way You Look at Me×The Way You Look At Me8 May 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The Way You Look At Me3:27", in 2004 from his self-titled album.

The song, penned by American composers Andrew Fromm and Keith Follese, received frequent airplay in Indonesian radio stations and Bautista became an instant hit overseas that record label Warner Indonesia decided to bring him there to perform for his growing Indonesian fanbase.

2005: Completely

Completely, Christian Bautista's second album, received a Platinum Record Award on its first week of release in the Philippines. The album spawned the singles "Everything You Do", "Invincible", and "She Could Be", a song which was later covered by Corbin Bleu of High School Musical fame. Completely has also reached platinum status in Indonesia.
A special edition of the album Completely×Completely15 December 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Everything You Do3:532I Can Love You Easy3:463My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own4:074Invincible3:565She Could Be3:256Now That You Are Here3:247After You3:528Please Don't Go3:189Since I Found You3:5410Completely3:5711For Everything I Am3:4912Nais Ko2:11, which combines Christian's English songs from his debut and second albums, was later launched in Singapore where "The Way You Look at Me×The Way You Look At Me8 May 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The Way You Look At Me3:27" also topped local charts.
In 2005, RCTI aired a musical special entitled Completely: Christian Bautista where he performed with Indonesian artists 40-piece Magenta Orchestra, Andi Rianto, Krisdayanti and Titi DJ. In the same year, Bautista was cast as one of the leads in Kampanerang Kuba, a musical fantasy television series broadcast by ABS-CBN.
Locally, he had endorsed brands such as Bench clothing and body spray, St. Augustine School of Nursing, Smart Communications, Greenwich Pizza, Trumpets Musicademy, Bed Head products, Skechers, and Swatch watches.

2006–2007: Just a Love Song...Live! and Inspired Tour

Bautista released his third major album, Just a Love Song... Christian Bautista Live!×Just a Love Song... Christian Bautista Live!24 January 2007 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Trying To Get The Feeling4:232More Than You'll Ever Know4:533Only Reminds Me Of You3:474Beautiful In My Eyes4:135Make It With You3:316Got To Believe In Magic3:527Fixing A Broken Heart3:308Could Not Ask For More3:519Of All The Things2:4610Nothing Can Stop Us Now3:3311Be My Number Two4:2012Finding Out The Hard Way3:3213Blue Eyes Blue4:3414Cry For Help4:5815Heaven Help3:0216I Won't Hold You Back4:4317If Ever You're In My Arms Again4:0718You4:0719Just a Love Song4:24 in 2006 also under the Warner Music Philippines. The album, the first live album by the singer, is mainly composed of covers of different old-time hit love songs and was recorded live in a Teatrino Bar in Greenhills with a small number of audience, which are mostly specially invited fans of the singer. Follow up to the success of the live album was the release of his very first live DVD under the same title in early 2007.
Bautista debuts as an actor on the big screen in Regal Entertainment's 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di. In this film directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Abi Lam-Parayno, Dode Cruz and Andrew Paredes, Christian plays Timothy a.k.a. Felix Yan, an Asian pop star, providing support to the bankable love team of Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez. The single "My Heart Has A Mind of Its Own" from "Completely×Completely15 December 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Everything You Do3:532I Can Love You Easy3:463My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own4:074Invincible3:565She Could Be3:256Now That You Are Here3:247After You3:528Please Don't Go3:189Since I Found You3:5410Completely3:5711For Everything I Am3:4912Nais Ko2:11" is used as one of the film's soundtrack.
He launched a four-city tour in Indonesia on January 26 to February 2, 2007. The tour included visits in Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, and Bandung.
In October 2007, he embarked a concert tour, Inspired, a one-night show in the Cuneta Astrodome with guest appearances by Gary Valenciano, Tricia Amper Jimenez, Joni Villanueva and Sam Milby.
He collaborated with Rachelle Ann Go on the song "Pag-ibig Na Kaya?", a Filipino version of "Perhaps Love" (originally sung by Howl & J), that was used in the Koreanovela Princess Hours, aired on ABS-CBN.
Bautista re-released Just a Love Song...Live including a CD of different Christmas songs.

2008: West Side Story and Captured

Bautista was included in the Valentine Concert on February 13, 2007, Ol 4 Luv, which was held at the Araneta Coliseum with Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos and Sarah Geronimo.
Bautista's live album, Just a Love Song...Live!, sold close to Double Platinum following the release of the repackaged Christmas edition containing his rendition of Gary Valenciano's "Pasko Na Sinta Ko" as well as other Christmas songs.
A musical talk show starring Bautista, The Christian Bautista Show, also aired on the Makisig Network. Bautista also won the award for Favorite Musical Artist Act at the first Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Philippines, held in 2008.
Bautista has also participated in musical theatre. In 2008, he was cast by STAGES in the lead role of Tony in the Philippine production of West Side Story, staged at the Meralco Theater from September to October 2008. The production also featured Karylle as one of the actresses portraying Maria.
In July 2008, Bautista's third studio album Captured×Captured15 June 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The One Who Won My Heart3:472Creation4:293Take a Ride3:504I Believe3:575Hope3:546Limutin Na Lang4:027Just This Time2:448Nakalimutan Kong Sabihin3:489Forever in Your Eyes4:1910Could Have Been the One3:5111Captured3:3812I Want to Be the One3:22 was released. The album features bossa nova singer Sitti.

2009: Romance Revisited

Early 2009, Bautista released his last single for Captured, "Limutin Na Lang", which featured a music video containing compilation of his videos and pictures from his past albums/album tours.
In 2009, Bautista released his very first compilation, The Platinum Collection×The Platinum Collection2009 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1The One Who Won My Heart (Unreleased acoustic version)3:432Limutin Na Lang (Unreleased acoustic version)3:583The Way You Look at Me3:234Trying to Get the Feeling4:215Got to Believe in Magic3:596Captured3:367My Heart Has a Mind of It's Own4:058Hands to Heaven4:049Invincible3:5410You're Still You3:4611Kelan Kaya?4:2912Colour Everywhere4:0913More Than You'll Ever Know4:5414Miracle4:0215You and Me (We Wanted It All)4:2916So It's You3:3817Say That You Love Me4:5018Completely3:55. It would be his last album released under Warner Music Philippines.
By early August 2009, Bautista had transferred to Universal Records. His first project under the recording label featured 19 tracks and songs originally performed by the legendary Jose Mari Chan. The album, Romance Revisited×Romance Revisited20 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 38 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Tell Me Your Name3:152I Remember the Girl3:393Afraid for Love to Fade2:504I Have Fallen in Love (with the Same Woman Three Times)4:505Please Be Careful With My Heart3:346My Girl, My Woman, My Friend4:317Beautiful Girl3:278Can’t We Start Over Again4:279Be Gentle3:0510Stay My Love4:4211Afterglow3:0712A Love to Last a Lifetime3:5213Here and Now3:5214Constant Change2:5315Deep in My Heart3:0916Refrain4:1417Can We Just Stop and Talk a While3:0618So I’ll Go3:0019A Heart’s Journey3:12Disc 21Tell Me Your Name (instrumental)3:152I Remember the Girl (instrumental)3:393Afraid for Love to Fade (instrumental)2:494I Have Fallen in Love (instrumental)4:505Please Be Careful With My Heart (instrumental)3:346My Girl, My Woman, My Friend (instrumental)4:317Beautiful Girl (instrumental)3:278Can’t We Start Over Again (instrumental)4:279Be Gentle (instrumental)3:0610Stay My Love (instrumental)4:4111Afterglow (instrumental)3:0712A Love to Last a Lifetime (instrumental)3:5113Here and Now (instrumental)3:5614Constant Change (instrumental)2:5215Deep in My Heart (instrumental)3:0916Refrain (instrumental)4:1417Can We Just Stop and Talk a While (instrumental)3:0618So I’ll Go (instrumental)3:0019A Heart’s Journey (instrumental)3:14, rose to the top of the charts immediately after its release. Bautista performed several duets in the album, with popular pop stars Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha and Regine Velasquez who early in her career also collaborated with Chan.
In November 2009, Bautista was a guest at Sarah Geronimo's Record Breaker Concert where they sang their duet "Please Be Careful with My Heart".

2010: Dahsyat and A Wonderful Christmas

In February 2010, Bautista appeared again in Dahsyat, an Indonesian variety show from RCTI in Jakarta, where he performed a duet with Indonesian singer Bunga Citra Lestari with an Indonesian version of "Please Be Careful with My Heart".
In November 2010, Bautista released his seventh overall album and first Christmas album under Universal Records, titled A Wonderful Christmas×A Wonderful Christmas2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1The Christmas Song3:042Angels We Have Heard on High3:303Silver Bells0:134Little Drummer Boy3:495Christmas Shoes5:076The Gift of Christmas4:227Christmas Time3:548What a Wonderful World3:499Amazing Grace3:3410Christmas Alphabet3:3211Last Christmas3:4712All I Want for Christmas4:1513Oh Come All Ye Faithful3:5014It Came Upon a Midnight Clear3:1915Nakaraang Pasko3:51. On December 2, 2011, the album was certified Diamond by PARI.

2011: Outbound

Bautista released his fifth studio album and seventh overall album, Outbound×Outbound1 January 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1All That’s Left4:012Unphotographable4:013Faith4:104I’m Already King4:065What Can I Do4:026Never Far Away3:507Wrong Number3:578Sakura5:02, in 2011. He also joined the cast of a musical drama series, Kitchen Musical, with Karylle, Thou Reyes, Art Acuna.

2012

During the first quarter of the year, the First Class: Outbound Expanded Edition album was launched. Together with Karylle, they received top billing at the Love & Laughter concert at the Resorts World on February 29. Bautista remained active on Kitchen Musical for the 2012 season. In the third quarter of 2012, he was part of 10th anniversary special of The Way You Look at Me that celebrated his 10-year in the industry. Bautista was also featured on the series Princess and I, which aired on ABS-CBN during 2012. Bautista's sixth studio album, and eighth full-length X-Plus was released in October 2012.

2013–present

In March 2013, Christian Bautista signed a three-year exclusive contract with GMA Network after months of rumors. He performed for the first time on Party Pilipinas on March 24, 2013, also marking the third anniversary of the show.
On September 20, 2023, Bautista performed in a duet with Bunga Citra Lestari at Jakarta's Hotel Mulia. It was assisted by symphony orchestra Twilite with its conductor Addie MS.
In 2023, Bautista joined talent agency NYMA.
In 2026, Bautista released "Sa'yo Lamang", a Filipino adaptation of "Bersamamu" by Bruneian singer Jaz.
The same year, Bautista joined Erik Santos and Jona for the Threelogy 3.0 concert tour, which included performances in Canada and the United States.

Personal life

Bautista married his girlfriend, Kat Ramnani on November 17, 2018 at Tirtha Uluwatilu in Bali, Indonesia. The couple first met at a local award show but the two did not know each other. They started dating 5 years later. The couple celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary in 2024.

Theater

Trumpet's production of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe was Bautista's first big break. He earned raves from critics for his acting debut.