Mark Bautista to portray Ferdinand Marcos in London musical

By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS

 

Another Kapuso, yet again, has made the country proud.

 

Mark Bautista is set to play the late former president Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love, a rock musical inspired by the life of Imelda Marcos. The show is set to run from late September this year to January next year in London’s West End.

 

Filipino pride

 

“Sobrang fortunate ako na mapasama dito kasi para ako'ng nag-represent din sa ating bansa and [the story is inspired by] own history natin [at] kasama ako dun [doon] sa project na 'yun,” he told Walang Tulugan.

 

Mark is thankful to be part of a project that involves Philippine history. “Nakaka-proud po kasi history natin, talagang pinagkakaabalahan nila [sa ibang bansa], parang binibigyan nila ng pansin at ginawan nila ng musical… Makaka-relate pa rin 'yung mga Pilipino ‘pag panoorin nila. Hindi siya alien para sa ‘tin kasi about sa history natin,” he added.

 

Grab every opportunity

 

Upon him scoring the role, Mark couldn’t help but recall how he hesitated to audition for Miss Saigon even if he was told by people around him to try out. “Natakot ako kasi sabi ko, iba yata 'yung standard ng UK at medyo kinakabahan ako… [Ngayon] sabi ko ‘what if nag-audition ako dun? Ano kaya? Matatanggap kaya ako o hindi?’”, he shared.

 

Now, he learned the importance of being courageous in seizing opportunities. “Yun pala yung masakit na part – yung what ifs. So sabi ko (since then na) dapat talaga, pag may ganung opportunity, i-grab mo na. Kahit ano mangyari, kung mag-fail ka man, at least triny mo,” he declared.

 

A different musical experience

 

Unlike in most musicals where the audience is seated down, Here Lies Love exhibits a different kind of experience. “Kakaiba ‘to kasi hindi siya 'yung usual na musical. 'Yung mga tao sa baba [ng stage], walang upuan so may participation 'yung mga tao na puwede silang sumayaw,” he disclosed.

 

This theme is patterned after Imelda Marcos’ fondness for dancing. “Disco 'yung setting kasi daw si Madam Imelda, mahilig sa disco, kaya 'yun 'yung theme na ginawa nila… Walang intermission, upbeat lahat so hindi ka mabo-bore. Kakaiba [siya],” he added.

 

From ticket boy to leading man
 

Because of this milestone, Mark realized how a lot of his experiences helped bring him to this moment. “Sa probinsya, nung nagsa-start pa lang ako, nagte-teatro ako [sa] community theater [namin]. Parang front of house, 'yung taga-ticket, tapos na-promote ako [na] kumanta ng national anthem bago mag-umpisa 'yung play hanggang sa binigyan ako ng role kasi absent 'yung ibang actors, so nag-understudy ako,” he recalled.

 

All those memories led to an achievement of a lifetime. “Sabi ko, ‘wow, preparation pala 'yun para sa ‘kin ‘no?’ In the future, may ibibigay pala sa aking ganitong project na malaki and West End [pa] sa London. Posible lahat, posible,” he concluded.

 

Mark is set to leave for London next week.