Christian Joseph Morata Bautista, or Ian

Maroon-blooded
Shifting Gears
From Paddle to Mic
05.07.2008|Aeron Valderrama



He is considered the most popular nonwinner of a singing competition. So famous that his prominence crosses boundaries – to Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, among others. But unknown to some, this guy first tested his competitive spirit on the tables.



Who does not know Christian Joseph Morata Bautista, or Ian to his peers, 26 years old from Imus, Cavite? Born October 19,1981, he is the eldest of three boys of Ebert and Jo Bautista and kuya to Joshua and Jordan.



Ian has been singing since he was a kid and music runs in the family. He constantly performs on church activities and family gatherings. However, he did not expect or think that he will consider performing as a profession. This passion for theater, however, was even triggered by his joining of Trumpets and performing as part of the chorus at its 2002 staging of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.



The Romantic Balladeer with his SIAM compatriots and hosts (from Christian Bautista Online) He then joined ABS-CBN's Star in a Million, then a segment of ASAP as its first contestant and soon its first finalist. The finals then became a separate show. And as we all now the rest is history for this "Romantic Balladeer".



That is the career path he took after graduation from our beloved University. But before that, he remembers learning that he passed the UP College Admission Test because someone told him he did. He was so happy that he passed the exam that made him nervous and pressured ("The whole of the Philippines is there.") His parents were also elated after Ian told them the good news as they are both UP alumni. Now Student No. 1998-17696 is about to enter the walls of the University.



Before Ian grabbed the microphone, he usually juggles between t-square and paddle. He graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (LA) from our beloved University. He took up this course because of his love for drafting and the process of creating or building things from nothing. A few things he enjoyed in his studies are plates, studying which plants go with this environment, examining the suitablity of placing parts of a say, house to this weather, scale models, among others. He even agreed that LA is a science as much as an art.



But let us now put the focus on Ian as an athlete. He started his love for table tennis when he was in Grade 5 at International Christian Academy after a camp at Word of Life Convention Center, after seeing his peers playing the sport. Soon, he played table tennis during his high school days at the same school an even competed at regional level (National Capital Region) but did not did that well to walk home with accolades. But that did not stop Ian from being part of the UP Men's Table Tennis when he entered UP.



Though not that good, (Ian says he considers himself tenth best on the lineup) he still takes pride and enjoyment once he steps on the edge of the table to play for UP. He felt honored to be playing for the University. He was also happy to become a member of the two-time UAAP Champions (2001 and 2002). Ian describes his former coach, Oscar Santelices as "helpful, dedicated, and encouraging." He even said that he still keeps in touch with some of his teammates.



The greatest lesson he learned as his four-year stint as an Isko is that in UP, you have to be on your own. You need to survive and do it yourself. He even says that being a student-athlete, he needed to exert extra effort in his studies and his sport, in order to finish his studies. That's why in his time in UP, he stayed in their relatives' home in Visayas Ave. so that he will not be troubled carrying his stuffs – his t-square, his "tube", his shoes, and his table tennis "gears."



Like most of us, his most favorite UP cheer is the signature Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, because for him it tells who we are and where were from, no matter whether we lose or we win. But he further says that one must, however, prove that he is worth to be in UP. For him, a Fighting Maroon is one who gives his best in his studies and excels in his sport.



He describes himself as a "generally serious guy, who loves God, life, and loves having fun."



As a parting message he encourages his fellow alumni to "be more involved with the University and its sports programs." He advises current players to "follow you coach" and students to "use your talent for the benefit of the University." Moreover, in his autograph, he tells us to "keep the fight alive!" Let us thus, keep believing in our teams and hopefully getthat biggest trophy this year.



It is clear that whatever path we take, in and out of the walls of our century-old "Pamantasang Hirang," we have to be our best – excellence is our legacy to our country and the world – much like the example of Ian.





http://www.geocities.com/upfighting_maroons/content/view/mb/ian_mtt.htm




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