Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano's 25th anniversary concert—Gary V: Live at 25—goes onstage tonight, November 14 and tomorrow night, November 15, at the Araneta Coliseum. This is a big celebration to mark the singer's 25th year in showbiz. It's certainly a milestone.
More than a culmination of his 25 years in entertainment, the concert is the start of big things to come. The music celebrity looks forward to his next 25 years as a singer and performer.
Gary will sing his hit songs and he will be jamming with some of the most popular bands. "I am going to have some of the best bands in the industry as my guests," said Gary V in a recent interview. "I will be performing with Rivermaya, Sugarfree, Bloomfields, and Salamin. There are other guests we are getting."
After 25 years, his tag as Mr. Pure Energy sticks. "Energy could mean
another type of performance, not necessarily onstage. It could be in front of
the camera, on the big screen, or on the TV screen. And I am also looking
forward to doing other things, like teach music." He has won in the Awit and Aliw
awards several times.
The energetic singer admits that he still gets the jitters before entering the concert stage, no matter that he has done this a thousand times, in various places around the globe.
"Well, maybe it's not really nervousness, but more of excitement. After 25 years, what else can I do that I haven't done yet? There are so many things that I'd like to venture into but had nothing to do with concerts. Music yes, but concerts maybe not. I am thinking, what else can I give the public that I haven't done in the 25 years that I've been in the business."
"But Direk Rowell [Santiago] said that the point is, the people would go to the concert, wanting to hear my songs. But I countered I've done those songs many times. But Rowell says it doesn't matter. He says there are really people who'd come and watch just to hear me sing their favorite Gary V song."
STILL GOT THE MOVES. At 44, and with 25 albums to his name, Gary V looks years younger than his age. It's a marvel how he is still able to do those awesome dance steps and moves. At times, he says, he has a hard time coping with his son Gabriel when they dance together onstage. So does he keep himself fit?
"I used to go to the gym. But I've been busy rehearsing for the concert so I can't work out as much as I want too. But my doctor told me that I have to do something [physical activity] every day. I told him I ride my mountain bike Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. And when I ride my bike, I cover anywhere from 20 to 30 kilometers.
"My doctor said I have to program my body so that I am able to do cardiovascular exercises every day. He said I can choose on which day I can do heavy cardiovascular exercises but I have to do something everyday."
He can ride his bike around the village where he lives. Or he treks to the mountains of San Mateo, which is near his place in Antipolo.
So, how would he describe Gary V after 25 years? "Wow! Still the same in many ways, thankful in many ways, and above all, blessed in many ways," he replied.
GARY AS FAMILY MAN. How is he as a husband? He and Angeli have been married for 24 years.
"I don't like to rate myself because you might say I'm too hard on myself. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate myself as 6," he said, which elicited a howl of protest from the group he was talking to.
"There are certain things and certain mannerisms that I have that I feel, at times, I get insensitive because I tend to tell myself, Angeli knows me so, okay lang if I act this way. But I have to understand also that there are certain things that she'd like to do also that she can't do because she cares for me and she gives up her time for me," said Gary.
"Angeli's life is basically Gary and her children," he continued. "Even if we say she's a manager of many artists, her life is really her family. And I feel that I need to do the same with regards the priorities I have. That my priority in life is first, God, and what comes up next is her, more than anything else. Sometimes I jumble around my priorities. That's why if you ask me to rate myself as a husband, I'd say six. O sige na nga, seven!" he laughed.
With any relationship, Gary says that arguments surface once in a while.
"If there are no arguments, it seems you have an abnormal relationship. But those arguments make you learn from each other and give you strength. But that's my personally analysis on me as a person, as a husband and as a father," he explained.
What it is in his marriage to Angeli that has managed them to withstand the test of time? No intrigue has ever threatened to destroy their relationship. No news about their marriage being in peril. No tsismis that Gary was womanizing or anything that would tend to undermine the union.
"I guess God sees my heart," he said. "He knows I am not perfect. I rely on Him for all of those things. Maybe also, I guess other people's lives are far more active in terms of coming out in front of the camera and being seen with other people. Even if there's no relationship between this guy and this girl, yet if they are seen together, some people tend to conclude otherwise.
"Many times, the real standard of friendship during these times is being doubted. I have to talk to my sons and to the young people in ASAP that they have to be careful because things are not as they used to be."
But if there's one thing that Gary V is most happy about his life and career, that is the God-given opportunity be an instrument for changing lives through his music, anointed by the power of God. Gary's musical history is rich with stories of people who found the Lord by listening to his songs when they were in their most desperate situation.
On his 25th year, Gary prepares a spectacular show for his avid followers, giving back the glory of his life and career to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Gary V. Live at 25 is expected to be the biggest and most historic concert event for the singer, even the ultimate concert perhaps to cap all anniversary shows this year.