Studio Cut

Asia’s Pop Idol Christian Bautista recently sang Pinoy’s most favorite love songs to homesick Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at the Morden Park in London, and at the Estacio del Nord in Barcelona on Philippine Independence Day. With the concert sponsored by The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Globe, a crowd of thousands was also treated to quick fun games and prizes, and zany stand-up comedy with Pooh in London, and Pretty Tricia in Barcelona.

“I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to spend Independence Day with my fellow countrymen in Europe. It was my second time in London for a show. And I was happy to see familiar faces. It was, however, my first time in Barcelona. We celebrated Independence Day from Spain in Spain,” shared Christian.

“We even sang the chorus of ‘Ako Ay Pilipino.’ It was such a inspiring moment,” added the balladeer.

Christian’s stay in London served as his time off from working nonstop in Manila. He spent his free time there watching West End’s long-running musicals such as “Avenue Q,” where his former stage partner Joanna Ampil has been playing the role of Christmas Eve, “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “Jersey Boys.”

He visited London’s historic landmarks like the Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and the Piccadilly. He also attended a dinner party hosted by the Philippine community core with ambassadors and consuls in a Japanese restaurant partly owned by London-based Filipina actress Monique Wilson.

In Barcelona, on the other hand, Christian spent his free days touring the national museums where classic works of arts by Picasso and Van Dungen were on display. He also took time to visit the famous Sagrada Familia designed by renowned artist and architect Gaudi.

At one point, he bumped into veteran singer Ray Ann Fuentes performing in a Filipino community church in Barcelona.