Across borders, Christian Bautista reimagines timeless ‘Rainbow’ with Indonesia’s Raisa

Across borders, Christian Bautista reimagines timeless ‘Rainbow’ with Indonesia’s Raisa

MANILA, Philippines – When Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista puts his heart into a song, it often becomes more than just a performance.

It becomes a moment, not only for his fans, but for Philippine music itself. This time, he brings Filipino artistry to the international stage once again as he reimagines the OPM classic “Rainbow” with a cross-cultural twist.

Marking a new chapter in his career under Sony Music Entertainment, the Filipino singer and host produced the single in collaboration with Indonesian singer and songwriter Raisa. Together, they relive the timeless spirit of the song while bridging their Southeast Asian roots through a heartfelt and contemporary duet.

The pair launched their rendition of “Rainbow,” and let Rappler and other members of the press in on behind-the-scenes stories from its production, insights into their creative connection, and the message they hope the song will leave with listeners across the region.

A timeless song

Christian had grown up listening to “Rainbow.” Originally released in 2004 by the acclaimed Filipino R&B band South Border, the track has evolved into somewhat of a cultural emblem for Filipinos, marked by its unwavering presence in Filipino karaoke sessions.

Written by Sharon Inductivo and Jay Durias, the song talks about loving against all odds and offers assurance after a turmoil. Its heartfelt lyrics, matched with a soft and warm melody has allowed “Rainbow” to be remembered as one of the band’s greatest hits. 

Its popularity is evident with how the song remains relevant even decades later, continuously revived by different artists across different timelines. Over the years, it only strengthened its legacy by reaching other shores and gaining recognition among international audiences. 

The song has brought inspiration to many people, including Christian, who has resonated deeply with the song throughout his career. He believes that it simply has that unique charm that makes it timeless and beautifully relatable. 

“I was asking everyone else, when did you hear ‘Rainbow?’ Oh, back in the day, grade school, high school. It really stood the test of time up to now. Yes, definitely one of those songs. One of those songs that when it starts playing, you can’t help but sing,” he said at the event. 

Stepping into a new stage in his career with Sony Music, Christian delivers his take on “Rainbow” with the signature soul he puts into whatever he sings, while still paying homage to the original arrangement of this classic. 

Singing across borders

Making this new version of “Rainbow” even more exciting is Christian’s cross-cultural collaboration with Indonesia’s Raisa, a household name known for her soulful voice and R&B influences.

Raisa first rose to fame in 2011 with the release of her debut album Raisa, which featured the hit single “Serba Salah.” The song quickly captured audiences and earned her the title of Best Newcomer at the Indonesian Music Awards.


Across borders, Christian Bautista reimagines timeless ‘Rainbow’ with Indonesia’s Raisa

Speaking about the collaboration, Raisa shared that she has always looked up to Christian, who already holds a strong presence across Southeast Asia. After becoming friends during their 13-city Asian Pops concert tour in Japan last year, the idea of working together came naturally.

“I realized that singing with Christian feels so natural. Our voices blend together so well. So when the opportunity came to finally collaborate, it was not a question of if, but when,” she said in a video message during the event.

Raisa also shared that they wanted the collaboration to be meaningful, not just something pleasant to hear. The goal was to choose a song that reflects who they are as artists and what they want to express to their listeners. That shared intention led them to “Rainbow.”

“So both Christian and I were listening to this song, and it is one of those timeless tracks that always makes you feel something — hope, encouragement, and that sense that even after this moment in life happens, there is always me waiting for you,” she said.

Beyond showcasing their musical chemistry, the collaboration is also a bridge between two cultures by delivering a message of hope and love.

“This duet is not just a collaboration. It is also a gift for everyone who needs a reminder that brighter days are ahead. It is our way of building a bridge between these two beautiful countries. I recently visited the Philippines and completely fell in love with the people, the food, the energy, just basically everything,” she added.

Hearing the classic with a fresh sound

Turning the song into a duet is the most significant reimagination that Christian and Raisa bring to this revival of “Rainbow.”

In an interview with Rappler, the Filipino artist shared that they stayed true to the original spirit of the song and simply personalized it with their own musicality and their bond as peers.

“That song Rainbow will never ever lose its charm and beauty. Lyrics alone, melody alone. It is so beautiful. So we thought of ways, okay, how can we personalize this as well? Let us turn it into a duet. I am sure people have done it already. But it just became so beautiful because it is with a good friend and an amazing artist, Raisa from Indonesia. It became something else, beautiful still,” Christian said.

For Raisa, the creative process was also about embracing the natural connection between Filipino and Indonesian listeners, both of whom have a strong appreciation for heartfelt music. That cultural closeness, she explained, helped bring a fresh sound to a decades-old classic.

“We blended well, and I really think we gave the song something fresh while still paying homage to the original. And honestly, I think Filipino and Indonesian listeners have a lot in common — we both love ballads, romantic themes, ’90s R&B, and a touch of nostalgia,” she said.

Ultimately, both artists aimed to make this revival meaningful by contributing their own reflections to the production, making the message of the song even more relatable to today’s younger audience.

“We each brought our reflections into the song, hoping it would resonate in a deeper, more intimate way — wherever in the world it is heard,” Christian emphasized.

Christian Bautista and Raisa’s rendition of “Rainbow” is now available for streaming on all major digital music platforms worldwide. – Rappler.com


Content shared from www.rappler.com.

Share This Article