Gary Valenciano is grateful for many things the past 25
years he's been in showbiz. Those who have consistently watched Gary's concerts
or regular Sunday appearances on ASAP know that there is one thing he
never forgets, and that is to attribute his success to God.
God's love has been the driving force behind Gary's successful career. So it was very appropriate that the concert to mark his 25th anniversary was titled His Love. Held at the Music Museum and featuring the combined talents of Gary and his sons Paolo and Gabriel and daughter Kiana, the show was such a hit that people who weren't able to catch it clamored for a repeat.
During his recent U.S. tour with Martin Nievera as special guest, Gary wowed international audiences and received several standing ovations at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Stockton Arena, Stockton, California and at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Seattle, Washington. This July, Mr. Pure Energy gives in to requests for a repeat of his sold-out concert series.
The His Love repeat will be on July 17, 18, 30, and 31 at the Music Museum. The proceeds of the concert will benefit of Shining Light Foundation and Operation Blessing Foundation's efforts to reach out to the victims of Typhoon Frank. After the Manila shows, Gary will bring His Love to the Summit Centre in Zamboanga City on July 25 with Paolo and Gabriel, brothers Joshua and Jason Zamora of the Manoeuvres, and the Powerplay Band under the musical direction of Mon Faustino.
For both shows, Gary promises to bring back all the highlights of the first Music Museum run, including the numbers featuring Paolo, Gabriel and Kiana, which were among the most applauded. Paolo and Gary's Beatles Medley proved that in terms of vocal prowess, Paolo, at 23 years old, has no problems holding a candle to his dad.
Gab, known for being the child that inherited Gary's talent for dancing-in fact, he's now called Mr. Pure Power to his dad's Mr. Pure Energy, a monicker that underscores that he is definitely his father's heir apparent-did a duet with his father on the song "Shake It Off." Incidentally, Gab is also quite the producer/musician: he was responsible for the new arrangement of "Shout For Joy," one of the cuts included in Gary's recently released Rebirth album under Universal Records.
Kiana, of course, wasn't about to be left out. During the first Music Museum shows, she impressed the audience when she hit the high notes on Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You," traditionally one of the most difficult R&B hits to sing. But what really brought the house down was when Kiana sang one of her dad's biggest hits, "‘Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin," with Gary V. The number had the Music Museum audience on its feet.
Also to look forward to in the His Love repeat is Gary's By Request Medley featuring Gary's greatest hits like "Reaching Out," "Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos," and "Narito." The energetic singer performed "Anak" (arranged by Danny Tan) in Japanese, Portuguese, English and Tagalog as a tribute and thank-you to his three children. He also dedicated this song to the Filipino youth, whom he sees regularly during his visits around the Philippines in his capacity as National Ambassador for UNICEF.
There is plenty more to look forward to in His Love, which one reviewer has described as a virtual song, dance and visual feast with at least six monitors projecting dazzling graphics and images and consisting of "more than 90 minutes of awesome dance moves and at least 40 songs in whole or re-arranged as medleys." It is a concert that showcases Gary V. at his very best.
His Love is also said to be a preview of the bigger, more spectacular 25th anniversary concert that Gary will be staging at the Araneta Coliseum in November.
As he marks his 25th year in the business, Gary says he is excited, rather than nervous. After being in the business this long, and having faced different trials and challenges (all of which he has surpassed, thanks to God's love), he is ready for what is to come.
In fact, he's excited to see it unfold, to find out what God has in store for him. "It's facing the unknown that makes things exciting to me," he said. "It's not about new things to do, but new things to give back. I'm really eager to find out what the next 25 years will be like."
Tickets to Gary V.'s His Love The Repeat are priced at P2500, 1500, 1000 and 500 and are available at the Music Museum (721-67-26), Manila Genesis Entertainment (721-4405 loc. 201) and at all Ticketworld outlets or call 891-9999.