It's been years since Gary Valenciano was last seen on the big screen. His last appearance was in the 2007 Cinemalaya entry Gulong. This year, he's planning to go back to acting on his 25th anniversary in the showbiz industry.
After his successful two-night anniversary concert on November last year at the Araneta Coliseum, and another successful repeat this February, Mr. Pure Energy said that he wants to use his acting skill this year.
In an interview with him during the pocket interview held recently for the ABS-CBN special featuring the said anniversary concert, Gary told the media that acting is one of the things he's considering in 2009.
"I'm very much open about that now. Let's see what happens," said Gary.
The singer-actor, however, said he might be limited to do only movie projects since he is still performing as a music artist.
"A teleserye? Maybe not yet," he said. "Only because I'm still going to be performing na. Kapag nag-teleserye ako, wala na 'yong ability to give a hundred percent to a teleserye, then a hundred percent in concerts."
But Gary said that he's been hearing news about a movie that he might do this year. "I'm not at liberty to say yet kasi it's very hush-hush, pero very interesting ang co-stars that I'll be working with," said Gary, giving the media very little clue about the movie.
He added, "I have a feeling about what the story is, pero hindi pa sinasabi sa akin. That's how hush-hush it is. I'm not looking at the movie that has to do with falling in love. I think I really need to do something that people can really watch..."
If given the chance, with whom does he want to be paired?
"Ang hirap naman niyan," replied Gary. "Ang gagaling kasi talaga ng lahat and I've seen some of them. For me, one of the most convincing artists is Maricel. Maricel Soriano is one of the most convincing when it comes to drama."
Gary and Maricel worked together in the movies Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig (1986) and Maria Went to Town (1988).
Aside from the Diamond Star, Gary also wants to work with today's young actresses. He stated, "There are others also that I want to work with. Again, not as love interest, but just to be able to interact with them personally."
NO BIG CONCERT THIS YEAR. After the silver anniversary concerts, Gary said that he will take a pause on doing big events such as concerts this year, and will focus more on intimate shows.
"Actually, I'm not looking forward to another big one," said Gary. "Really, if you saw it from the beginning, it was a statement that I made, that the sun's rays begin to disappear when the sun sets. But it's gonna light, like, somewhere else.
"In other words, as far as big, big concerts are concerned—solo Gary V concerts—I think it's time that I begin to look at other options and enjoy just as much. If not, even usher in the opportunity for others to experience that and much more."
For this year, Gary said that he might continue what they've started last year, which was reaching out to schools to do a talk and a show at the same time.
He further said, "I'm thinking of more intimate shows, smaller venues—going back to where I started. For example...okay, 'yong concert, 'yong Live @ 25, ang daming tao. Pero kasing-exciting din 'yon ng mga event na ginawa ko last year, where I went to the students and I spoke to them in Y Power.
Y-Power is the seminar Gary has been doing in schools to develop leadership training using youth forum-style discussions.
"It was just as exciting at that, kasi you go to them. You don't invite them to come to see your concert. And I think that creates an impact, especially amongst the students. So we're going to continue that in the next two years. I speak about my life, I do a couple of songs, and then may question and answer, they can ask whatever they want."
Gary added that this move is just timely because of the global financial crunch that's happening today.
He said, "Honestly, it's not that easy [to do another big concert]. It's not like before where when you go up to sponsors and they're like, 'O, sige!' Now, because of the situation of the time, it's not easy at all. So, when I began to see the figures as to how much the concert is gonna cost...
"I'd be honest with you, in the beginning I was very discouraged. I'm just letting you know that times are not really very easy. I'm just really fortunate that pumunta 'yong mga tao and nanood sila. I think it's also the time when people wanna go out and forget their problems for at least an hour or two."
FAMILY AFFAIR. To come up with something new for this intimate concert, Gary wants his wife and manager Angeli Pangilinan to participate in the event.
He told the media, "I'm really thinking of incorporating her in a concert, but in a more intimate concert. You know, you cannot expect her to get up there and start dancing. I want her to get up there because she has a voice. It needs to be heard. Pero mas gusto ko 'yong intimate setting, so people can really listen instead of seeing it on screen and hindi naman talaga naririnig 'yong kanta."
As in his past anniversary concerts, his children will also be doing their own part on the show.
In fact, Gary mentioned how grateful he to have very talented children like Gabby, Paolo, and Kiana.
"They've been participating in the past. But this one kasi, Paolo and his ideas contributed also, Gabrielle arranged the song 'Shout For Joy,' and in the repeat he did 'Yahweh.' He also arranged 'Hataw Na,'" he related.
Another thing that keeps Gary Valenciano busy these days is the upcoming DVD version of his anniversary concert. He said that it is scheduled to be released between April or May.
Before this, the music icon has prepared a sneak preview of his Live @ 25 concert, which will be shown on March 15 via ABS-CBN's Sunday's Best, immediately after TV Patrol Linggo. Gary digitally edited the special in his home studio, setting aside some performances and schedules to devote his time to its post-production.