How does one remain among the stars in the Philippine music industry for nearly four decades? It’s definitely tough, but doubly so when asking someone with the title “Mr. Pure Energy,” which becomes both a shiny medal and quite a cross to carry. But this music legend fears not of faltering. His source of pure energy, after all, is boundless.
The silence before the interview with Gary Valenciano is not the same as the one after. The silence broke with a handshake and exchange of pleasantries, as this writer and her subject jump into the topic of both coincidentally arriving back in Manila from Italy.
“We had two shows in one day in Rome. Same audience. When you have the second opening number, people are sometimes tired after seeing it once. But they were just aaah!” he roars, throwing his hands in the air as his eyes grew big with excitement. It was, according to him, his most memorable ASAP show to date.
There is still excitement in Gary’s voice, a sense of wonder. As if the 55-year-old is new to the cheers and applause of the multitudes who have followed his career. Yes, after 36 solid years in the music industry, the man is fortunate to keep his feet on the ground, something he learned best from his father.
Ageless
Time may have crept up on him, but signs of aging on his visage are barely visible. The fact that it has been 19 years when he was given “The Outstanding Young Men” award seems far flung, as the vigor of youth hasn’t left Gary V. This 2018 Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement awardee by the PMPC Star Awards for Music becomes all the more delighted when asked about being the sixth child in a brood of seven.
He reminisces how amazing it was for his father to record nearly every Christmas from 1951 to 1978, on his Super 8 camera—the children coming down the staircase one by one towards the Christmas tree from the eldest (Robby) to their youngest sister, Gabin. The film encapsulated their gradual growth together with every new additional sibling to the expanding family, and a colorful noisy one at that. Surely, there were also recordings of his beautiful Puerto Rican mother, who was an opera singer and actress. “It was happy, it was funny. Full of many events. When members of my family get together, we feel the joy of being with family instantly,” says the 12-time winner of the Awit Awards for best male performer.
Thus, the bright world of Gary V (then 14) dimmed when his parents split up, about the time he had just taped his first TV commercial. His voice lowers by a few decibels, and the words spill slower. “It was one of the, if not the most scarring wound. I ended up going to the States without my brother and Dad (when I needed them the most). I ended up with my three sisters, and my Mom. It’s a common story we hear today about families breaking up, but I think not much is said about how it impacts the child,” especially when occurring without warning, this father of three (Paolo, Gabriel and Kiana Valenciano) reveals.
There were a few ups and downs that followed, some personal and life- changing. Still the man who would eventually be known as “Mr. Pure Energy” persevered.
“I didn’t think I had anything great. All my sisters had something special. My
sister Gina was a professional dancer, and my brother was a track and field record holder,” says Gary V who shares that it was his father who noticed his prowess.
And here he is, still. After more than a hundred concerts, 36 studio albums, many of which have been certified as gold and platinum — the 2000 Revive album reaching a sextuple platinum award on Gary V’s 20th anniversary is just a milestone marker in achievements to come. The singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, actor, music producer and TV host intends to add another hyphen as a feather to his cap. Gary V intends to create a mentorship program, soon enough.
Intimate Gary
As of this interview, he is currently culminating his 35th anniversary dubbed Face to Face by completing 35 scaled down up-close and personal concerts in specially selected 35 universities to enlighten and encourage the youth through music. The intimate audience allows Gary V to connect in the most impactful way.
This writer has been an admirer of the dynamic entertainer since he spewed chart-topping hits, “Di Bale Na Lang,” “Sana Maulit Muli,” “Hataw Na,” and popular inspirational gems like “Shout For Joy,” and “Lead Me Lord.” Only hearing a Gary V sing is half the experience. The full spectrum of his showmanship is in his live performances. His 2014 ARISE 3.0 anniversary concert is a spectacle akin to a shot of caffeine. Gary V wildly drums on the kulintang then busts many moves with the original cast of The Maneuvers, as he sings “Sa Yahweh.” Guaranteed high-octane every time, that’s Gary V for you.
These days, Gary sometimes takes it down a few notches due to physical limitations. He has torn his right meniscus badly twice (one in basketball game in 1992, and the other during a concert in 2006 where he wore the wrong pair of pants and did not slide down smoothly on his knees as planned.) He struggles daily with Type 1 diabetes (with several close calls). But that’s not to say that he still gives it his all.
However, it was having an open heart surgery on May 2018, and inadvertently finding out he had kidney cancer that served as a wakeup call for him to step on the brakes and rethink life. Age may have seized a bit of energy from him, but the outpouring of compassion from his soul, not a drop. Neither has it diminished his charisma.
Gary V also takes his role as UNICEF Philippine’s first national ambassador for goodwill seriously. From charity concerts, to educational and awareness campaigns, videos and activities, he has been at the forefront of supporting this cause since 1998 with a focus on Child Rights and Welfare, among others.
Secret to longevity
His name reverberates as a music icon from local to global audiences spanning generation to generation onward. When ask about the secret to his longevity, again, he races to answer completely, wholeheartedly. Every detail. So much to give with so little time. He arrives at a simplistic formula of being fun and relevant. But beyond that it’s having faith in Christ, and perhaps having a wife that has faith in you.
Angeli and Gary are also now celebrating nearly 35 years of marriage, another accomplishment to be applauded.
