Christian Bautista turns emotional as he renews ties with GMA

Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista can't help but feel emotional as he was welcomed by GMA Network for another number of years.

Christian virtually renewed his contract with the Network on Thursday, June 24, in the presence of GMA executives--Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie A. Magno, First Vice For Business Development Department 3 Darling De Jesus-Bodegon, First Vice President and Head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Amoroso, First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia, Vice President for Business Development Department 2 Janine Piad-Nacar, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier-Cruz, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Senior Assistant Vice President For Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Assistant Vice President for Business Development Department Bang Arespacochaga, and Senior Program Managers Ruth Mariñas, Charles Koo, Mae Zambrano, Jenny Cordova, and Ian Roxas.

Stages Production Specialists, Inc business head and Christian's manager Carlo Orosa and the agency's executive vice president Stella Sison also showed support for the singer's contract signing.

Christian Bautista; GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Stages Production Specialists, Inc business head and Christian's manager Carlo Orosa

This is an important event in Christian's career because it marks his eighth anniversary as a Kapuso.

"It just helped me remember [that] we've been through together from the beginning and up to now and it just got me so emotional. I'm just very thankful. Thank yous are being thrown around so flippantly but I'm so thankful," Christian said in the virtual event, after watching a special VTR prepared by GMA dedicated to him.

Besides the projects that the Network has been giving him, what happens behind the camera is also significant for Christian because this is when his connection with his Kapuso family is built.

"Through thick and thin, we have been through together. We have done different shows, we travel the world together, we had meals together--that is such a big thing for me as well.

"Simple meals after the show, our little conversations before, during, or after na talagang camaraderie and the friendship is among everyone--artists, our bosses, our production crew. It's extremely solid, working together for a common goal."

As a product of a singing competition himself, Christian is thankful to GMA for giving him the opportunity to mentor aspiring singers in The Clash.

"More than always looking for always different avenues to perform, whether singing, hosting, acting, I am really appreciating this role of being a judge and a mentor and to share the blessings that I have or the experience to this new generation. If there's anything I can do to encourage them more despite these trying times, I would."

Christian was introduced in the industry when he joined a TV singing competition in another network where he stayed for nine years.

He may not have won the said competition, but his career flourished as a singer and as an actor not only in the country but also abroad.

In fact, among his notable projects is the 2011 pan-Asian musical restaurant drama television series, The Kitchen Musical, shot entirely in Singapore. Here, he co-starred with his fellow Filipino artists Karylle, Arthur Acuña, Thou Reyes, and Ikey Canoy.

In 2013, Christian transferred to GMA Network. He made his Kapuso debut on the previous Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas in March 2013, which coincided with the third anniversary of the show.

As a Kapuso, he was also given different acting and hosting jobs.

In 2016, Christian became a part of the Encantadia requel, where he played Apitong, leader of a group of bandits known as Mandirigma living in the mountains of Adjantao and foster father of Ybarro (played by Ruru Madrid).

He also ventured into comedy in the 2017 Pinoy adaptation of K-drama My Love From The Star, and in the 2018 family comedy-drama series Pamilya Roces.

Christian served as one of the judges in GMA singing competition The Clash for three seasons, alongside Aiai Delas Alas and Lani Misalucha. The fourth season of The Clash is set to air soon.

Moreover, Christian will topbill Viu's musical narrative series, Still, together with Julie Anne San Jose.

Christian is currently part of the weekend Kapuso variety show All-Out Sundays.