...the conquerors

Filipinos conquer Asean

By: Marinel R. Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Christian Bautista

SINGAPORE—For Filipino singer-actor Christian Bautista, the biggest challenge in playing the role of Daniel Ray in the TV production “The Kitchen Musical” (TKM) is having to dance in all 13 episodes.

TKM is the first international musical TV drama series produced in the Lion City for the regional and international markets.

The series is scheduled to premiere in 19 countries in Asia and Europe in October (on Studio 23 in the Philippines). Each episode features rearranged and re-recorded pop songs with dance sequences. The series, which will run weekly, centers on wine and food.

“In the beginning, I was nervous,” Christian told Inquirer Entertainment during a media gathering held in Republic Polytechnic, where the TKM set is located. “It’s good that Jason Coleman, a top choreographer in Australia, can work with anybody, and with whatever level of dance skill he or she has.”

Coleman, currently a judge in the Australian version of the hit TV series “So You Think You Can Dance,” was choreographer and dance consultant for the animated film, “Happy Feet.” In 2008, he opened the Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, currently the largest dance school in Australia.

Perfecting his moves

Still, Christian pointed out, perfecting his moves has required a lot of practice. “I’m not a natural at this, but, with Jason’s guidance, I’m slowly getting the hang of things. It’s easier for me to get the steps now,” he added. “Jason has so much experience. I didn’t have any idea how big he was the first time we met. He’s so humble and positive. In all of my sessions with him, he would inevitably say, ‘You’re doing a good job.’ I always want to do better because that’s how encouraging he is.”

TKM revolves around a rich young girl named Maddie Avilon (Karylle Tatlonghari) who, after graduating from the culinary school Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, goes to work at her father’s famous restaurant, The Avilon.

Christian plays the role of Daniel, Maddie’s childhood friend and shoulder-to-cry-on. Daniel is unassuming and supportive, but is considered a wild card. He has the most to gain if Maddie, who is a sous chef like himself, decides to leave.

Also in the cast are British actor Stephen Rahman Hughes, French fashion model and singer Rosemary Vanderbroucke and Filipino stage actor Arthur Acuña. Gerard Salonga is musical director and arranger.

Futuristic concept

Malaysia-born, Singapore-based CheeK, a.k.a. Cheah Chee-kong, is creator/director. He is also executive vice president and creative director of The Group Entertainment, which produces the series.

CheeK has directed films like “Stories of Love” and “Chicken Rice War” and is the editorial director of MTV Singapore.

Christian is all praise for CheeK. “He is very humble, patient and creative. He has ideas that nobody seems to even think of. The concept of the musical alone is genre-busting. Who would have thought of combining singing, dancing and cooking? He’s very futuristic.”

Along with the rest of the cast, Christian began working on the series on June 1. They were put through four weeks of intense acting and dancing rehearsals, as well as a kitchen boot camp.

“We were taught how to cut, slice and mince [ingredients] fast. We handled all kinds of knives,” Christian related. “We studied the basic movements of a chef and a cook. We learned all these so that when the camera started rolling, they were second nature to us.”

The actor said being a good cook in real life is a big advantage in this kind of production. “But if you’re just a lover of good food, okay na rin,” he added. “Lately, whenever we eat out, we find ourselves asking, ‘What went into this dish? Does it have jasmine, rosemary or thyme? When we want to drink wine, we already know what to ask for. We’ve really learned a lot.”

Christian said living away from family and friends was tough in the first three weeks. “I was really homesick,” he said, “but I was okay after a month. Now I even think I could live here. It takes a month for me to adjust. Initially, I thought four months of work was too long… and now we’re halfway through.”

Shouldn’t staying away from Manila be cause for concern, career-wise? “I was worried, but changed my mind when I saw how big this was going to be. It more than makes up for all the time I’d be away.”

Christian’s talent manager, Carlo Orosa, added, “He sees that his career could flourish more here, that he could do more things region-wide. He’s been in and out of the country for the past few years. He’s already made his mark in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.”

Disadvantage

But Christian admitted that working overseas is a disadvantage to his love life. “I have thought about that—four months somewhere, two months elsewhere— it’s not going to work out. So maybe it’s not time for a serious relationship. Still, I go out and meet people, make new friends, wherever I am,” he said, adding that he tends to seek out Filipino girls just the same, because of the “instant connection.”

He pointed out, “I’ve noticed that there are two kinds of Singaporean girls—those who are lively and those who are very serious and business-minded. This whole country is about business.”