The father-and-son tandem of Gary Valenciano and Gab Valenciano have renewed their contract with ASAP, the Sunday variety show of ABS-CBN. The contract signing was held yesterday, June 18, at 9501 restaurant inside the ABS-CBN compound.
Gary has been with ASAP for the past six years of the 15-year-old show's existence. One its most awaited portions is "Rated PG (Pure Gary)." And as one of the pillars of the show, he is aware that his leadership and example is followed by the younger artists.
THE SON ALSO RISES. Meanwhile, Gab has been onboard the show since 2008. As a budding chorerographer, he has contributed to some of the production numbers' dance routines and is considered one of the elite members of the Supahdance Crew.
Unknown to many, Gab edits and arranges almost all of the music of the Supahdance numbers. He composed and arranged the song "Move" which was included in the recently released Supahdance album.
As musical arranger and producer, Gab has also done special projects, like the musical arrangement for the birthday of Kim Chiu and the Michael Jackson medley performed by his dad during his 27th anniversary. Gab also produced and arranged "Naalala Ka" for Jericho Rosales' Change album.
Gary's decision to stay on with ASAP is big news especially as GMA-7 recently reformatted Party Pilipinas and TV5's P.O.5 is gaining in the ratings.
"Of course there's pressure now coz the other shows are doing well na din. Sometimes we would do good, sometimes they would do a good show. That's the spirit of competition," Gary said.
"But we have the strength. We have creative people. We have experience. We are reaching the world. We can do stuff that we've never done before. We may win at times, we may lose at times. But when you think over the losses with the lessons learned, it will only make bigger victories later on.
"With ASAP, I'm planning to sit down in the future with both artists and staff, just to remind them not to be complacent. 'Andiyan naman si Gary Valenciano, okay na tayo.' But it shouldn't be because there might be times that I could be gone for a month. When that time comes, everyone should play their role," he pointed out.
STAYING POWER IN THE INDUSTRY. Gary also reflects on his longevity in the industry.
"Pagdating sa talent, especially in the Philippines, I can walk outside here now and I can find somebody who can sing, somebody who can act, someboday who can be a comedian. Pero bakit ako ang pinili? Why was I chosen to last this long. There must be some great purpose.
"What I tell my children is, 'You have been given those talents. And nobody else can do what you're doing. It's specifically designed for you. The talent will never leave but the opportunities will disappear.' What I want them to realize is that you are chosen out of millions to do what you are doing now. The best thing to do is to humbly receive that gift. And the One who gave that to you is going to guide you if you allow Him to do that," Gary emphasized.
"Without sounding religious or spiritual, but it's the truth. I'm 45 years old today. What am I doing with all the other people half my age in ASAP today? But I'm enjoying it. And I'm receiving a lot of respect. When I'm out there doing the Latin numbers for the people, it feels like I'm 30 or 27 years old. It feels so good. That's when I stop and ask, 'Why me?' What qualifies me to have this? And that's what I want to leave with my children. There are things that they don't understand because there will be greater things if they keep on understanding the fact that it is not how good they are but how good their God is if they allow Him to be what He wants us to be," Gary said.
Gary and Gab will be doing a special show on Sunday, June 20, at the SM Skydome at SM North Edsa. Gary's daughter Kiana will be joining them.
"It will be a simple concert but I think it will be a heartfelt concert. I hope you can come and join us."
Also to look forward to in Gary's schedule is the repeat of the As One concert with Martin Nievera. Joining them will be Martin's sons Robin and Ram Nievera, and Gary's son, Paolo Valenciano.