JERRY OLEA
Bonggacious ang pagpirma ni Gary Valenciano ng kontrata sa ABS-CBN Star Magic nitong Abril 16, 2024, Martes, sa Dolphy Theater, ABS-CBN Compound, Quezon City.
Sa lobby ng Dolphy Theater ay naka-display ang memorabilia ni Gary V o Mr. Pure Energy na naipon sa apat na dekada niya sa entertainment industry.
Read: Gary Valenciano not yet retiring, but limiting big-venue concerts
Winelcome siya roon nina ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak at chairman Mark Lopez.
Pagpasok sa mismong theater ay mainit siyang sinalubong ng mga taga-media.
Present sa signing event ang wifey niyang si Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano, ang mga supling nilang sina Paolo at Kiana, ABS-CBN’s COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, at manager Alan Real.
(From left) Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, Cory Vidanes, Gary Valenciano, and Laurenti Dyogi
Nagpugay muna ang ASAP Natin ‘To performers na sina Angela Ken, Khimo Gumatay, JM Yosures, Sheena Belarmino, at Jed Madela sa renditions nila ng timeless OPM classics ni Gary V.
(From left) Sheena Belarmino, Khimo Gumatay, Jed Madela, JM Yosures, and Angela Ken
Kapagkuwan ay 40 Star Magic artists ang nag-congratulate kay Gary V sa pamamagitan ng video message, saka pa lang nagkapirmahan ng kontrata.
Read: Gary Valenciano pushes through with North America concert tour despite pneumonia
1984 nang i-release ang self-titled debut album ni Gary V.
Sa nakaraang dalawang dekada ay Kapamilya siya. Naging boses si Gary V sa likod ng mga theme song ng mga hit Kapamilya teleserye.
Dedicated siya sa paghubog ng bagong henerasyon ng Kapamilya performers bilang mentor at judge sa talent shows na X Factor Philippines, World of Dance Philippines, Your Face Sounds Familiar, Idol Philippines, at Tawag ng Tanghalan.
Totoo kay Gary V ang pagiging Kapamilya forever. Ang pagiging bahagi ng Star Magic family ay panibagong kabanata sa career niya.
Read: Gary Valenciano on ABS-CBN and GMA-7's collabs: "Alam mo na bilog talaga ang mundo."
Pahayag ni Gary, “It’s 40 years and minsan, umaabot ang iba, you know, after 40 years of doing the same things, colorful things, eventful things…
“Pero umaabot din sa point na what could be next, you know, after 40 years? Well, this is next.
“And what I like is that a while ago, we know him as Direk Lauren Dyogi and all, I know him as my friend. And that’s how he spoke a while ago.
“And to be accepted into a family like Star Magic… kasi akala ko, dati kasi, puro ang focus nila, nasa mga kabataan.
“So, tinanong ko isang beses, sabi ko, ‘What’s my role in this?’ But it was explained to me what my role is going to be, and I’m excited to play that role for everyone.”
Maaaring ang ibang projects daw ay hindi sing-and-dance performances.
Pagdidiin ni Gary V, “But still they will be projects that are meant to move, and to make an impact on the hearts of young people, hearts of seasoned people.
“And I like that role. If that’s the role I’m supposed to play, then I’ll play it to the hilt.”
Aminado si Gary V na naging emotional siya sa inihandang video presentation. Na-overwhelm siya.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, babawi ako sa concert. Dun kayo magiging emotional!”
Read: Gab Valenciano pays tribute to mom Angeli: “You are and always will be my hero.”
Gaganapin ang concert ni Gary V na Pure Energy: One Last Time sa Abril 26 at 27, at Mayo 10 sa SM MoA Arena. Beneficiary ng palabas ang Shining Light Foundation.
Ayon sa source ng PEP Troika ay may isa pang gabi ang nasabing concert, pero binili na raw iyon ng isang kumpanya, kaya hindi iyon magbebenta ng tiket sa publiko.
Nakangiting sabi pa ni Gary V, “I feel so blessed, you know. My kids are here. Kiana is here. Paolo had to leave dahil siya po ang direktor ng concert ko.
“So he’s there. I’ll be going there soon to the rehearsals. But, yeah… Parang this is ano, this is…
“Tonight, when I go to bed, parang it’s all going to seem like a dream until I wake up tomorrow morning and realize, no, it was not.”
GORGY RULA
Sabi ni Kiana Valenciano, hindi siya naniniwalang “last time” na ang nalalapit na MoA Arena concert ni Gary V.
Sey ni Mr. Pure Energy, in a way ay tama si Kiana.
Read: Gary Valenciano, Angeli Pangilinan ecstatic over daughter Kiana Valenciano's engagement
Pagmamatuwid ni Gary V, “But when you come and see the show, you’ll understand why it is what it is, you know.
“There’s a clear leading from me kasi, as to where I’m supposed to go. And I think, being with Star Magic is one of the directions I’m supposed to head towards.
“So you’ll all know that, and you’ll all see that as time goes by.”
NOEL FERRER
Maraming nagtatanong, with Genesis backing Gary Valenciano’s career already, bakit kailangan pa ng Star Magic?
Ang ganda lang, and I laud this kind of out-of-the-box move kasi who would have expected Gary V in Star Magic, di ba?
But it is a wise move towards legacy building.
And having the network support in all your projects plus it is now easier for Gary V to collab with the young artists in the Star Magic roster— in all the multi-media platforms!
I bought my ticket to the April 27 performance of GV's One Last Time concert.
And truly, it’s a treat to watch him perform. It’s like going back to all the good gifts God moving us closer to him!
All the best, Gary V!!!