He was a finalist of Star in a Million, a Philippine reality show aired on ABS-CBN channel, winning 4th place in the competition in 2003.

After the contest, he signed a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines[2] and released his debut album, Christian Bautista.

[4] Bautista has also collaborated with fellow Filipino singers Nina, Sitti, Rachelle Ann Go, Sarah Geronimo, Sheryn Regis, Erik Santos and Mark Bautista and once with Indonesian recording artist Bunga Citra Lestari performing "Tetaplah Di Hatiku", the Indonesian version of Please Be Careful With My Heart following his success in Indonesia.

Though placing only fourth overall, he quickly become one of the most popular contestants, and was offered a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines shortly after he was eliminated from the show.

[citation needed] In 2005, RCTI aired a musical special entitled Completely: Christian Bautista where he performed with Indonesian artists 40-piece Magenta Orchestra, Andi Rianto, Krisdayanti and Titi DJ.

Christian also endorses a new mobile content provider based in Jakarta called Star SMS, and soon for Oishi food products in the Philippines, and Indonesia.

[citation needed] Locally, he had endorsed brands such as Bench clothing and body spray, St. Augustine School of Nursing, Smart Communications, Greenwich Pizza, Trumpets Musicademy, Bed Head products, Skechers, and Swatch watches.

Bautista debuts as an actor on the big screen in Regal Entertainment's 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di.

In this film directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Abi Lam-Parayno, Dode Cruz and Andrew Paredes, Christian plays Timothy a.k.a.

Felix Yan, an Asian pop star, providing support to the bankable love team of Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez.

[citation needed] In October 2007, he embarked a concert tour, Inspired, a one-night show in the Cuneta Astrodome with guest appearances by Gary Valenciano, Tricia Amper Jimenez, Joni Villanueva and Sam Milby.

[citation needed] Bautista was included in the Valentine Concert on February 13, 2007, Ol 4 Luv, which was held at the Araneta Coliseum with Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos and Sarah Geronimo.

[citation needed] Alongside Filipina singer Karylle, Bautista was also a part of the theatrical cast of West Side Story in 2008.

Bautista performed several duets in the album, with popular pop stars Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha and Regine Velasquez who early in her career also collaborated with Chan.

It was assisted by symphony orchestra Twilite with its conductor Addie MS.[21] Trumpet's production of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe was Bautista's first big break.