In 2004, when he signed a contract with ABS-CBN, thus becoming a regular performer in ASAP and host of the Search for the Star in a Million (season 1 and season 2) singing competition as well as Star Magic.

In September 2005, he released his first album Dream On with its carrier single “I Need You” which topped the MYX daily top 10 for two months. Due to the success of his first album, Viva Records released a full-length album called Dream On Expanded along with the release of the “You Win the Game” music video that featured a new and daring Mark. The song reached the top spot in MYX in less than a week after it premiered.

On March 24, 2006, Bautista had his first solo major concert at the Aliw Theater, dubbed as ‘Pop Heartthrob’.

Bautista stated in a 2008 interview that he was courting Sarah Geronimo.

In 2010, he signed a four-year exclusive contract with GMA Network. He became a regular performer on Party Pilipinas, made a cameo appearance in Diva and had a lead role in a primetime drama series.

In 2011, he, along with other Kapuso artists such as Iza Calzado (who later transferred to ABS-CBN) and Aljur Abrenica, performed for the Kababayan Fest held in Northern and Southern California. Additionally, he made a special appearance with Aljur Abrenica for a meet-and-greet at Seafood City Markets. This special performance and visit was to promote GMA Pinoy TV and the launching of GMA Life TV.

As of 2014, Bautista is currently performing in the musical Here Lies Love by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim at the Royal National Theatre in London where he plays the late President Ferdinand Marcos. The musical is based on the life of Imelda Marcos. Bautista is scheduled to reprise the role in the show for the Seattle production.