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| Gary Valenciano |
He was the date I never expected to have, but one that I enjoyed.
Just hours after Valentine's Day, I got an SMS from Gary Valenciano's wife and manager, Angeli, inviting me to watch the superstar's "Reenergized" show at Newport World Resorts. Not having seen Mr. Pure Energy perform live since the pandemic started, I gladly accepted.
It was one of so many yeses that day. At 58, Gary remains the lovable artist that has made him an icon in the OPM scene for four decades now.
And it's not just this Gen X'er who fell in love with his music all over again. My companion, an 18-year old Gen Z guy who thought he didn't know Gary V from Adam (he initially read it as Gary Five, as in Voltes V or Voltes V, get it?), came out of the venue two and a half hours later, just raving about Mr. Pure Energy. It turned out he knew some of the singer's hits from TikTok, and, in his book now, Gary is "idol material, sheessshhh."
Here are eight reasons Gary V is ever "the one" for and number one to the Pinoy music lover:
1. Like that mall, Gary has it all.
The repertoire consisted of more than a dozen bonafide hits spanning four decades. From ballads and old school R&B to dance and '80s pop, there was no filler song. And to think there were still many Gary V chart toppers that we wished he had sung (including "Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin," "Gaya Ng Dati," "Wait Forever," "Hele Ni Inay," "Kailangan Kita"...so many).
2. He moves---literally and emotionally.
Sure, Gary doesn't dance as much onstage as he used to, but this guy still has it when he chooses to groove. He sometimes joked about his, shall we say, advancing years right after fast numbers that left him mildly breathless. But really, no one hardly noticed it and it's a fact that he could run circles around dancers half his age.
While Gary can get the blood pumping, he can also move you to tears even without grand musical arrangements (and there were plenty of those that night, thanks to the genius of musical director Mon Faustino). Voice and piano and Gary V is just love.
3. He's a man of mystery.
Many in the audience are loyal fans of Gary. And even though the artist kept the musical arrangement of his hits close to the original version, there were times he had us guessing at the intro if this was that song, or that song. At one point, the singer teased the audience to "name that tune based on one note" which turned out to be "Di Bale Na Lang." Surprisingly, some people got the right answer---how cool was that?
4. Gary is fearless.
Ever heard of "Spain?" It's an Al Jarreau signature that's got to be one of the most difficult jazz numbers vocally that requires the use of many difficult singing techniques.
Gary has been covering "Spain" for years now but we didn't think we'd hear the song from him in 2023. After all, Gary doesn't need to make "pasikat" as a singer at this point, I mean, come on. Listening to him, though, it's clear that he continues to do "Spain" because he loves the song and he wants to give a nod to his history as well as one of his musical influences.
There's no ego there---just a man holding a mic making music and magic. Boom.
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| Gary and Kiana V |
5. He can tango, chacha, boogie and do the pasadoble.
One of the true tests of a confident artist is heard in duets. With someone as good as Gary, he could easily outshine the other singer even without meaning to. But Mr. Pure Energy always chooses to collaborate; allowing the other to stand out in certain moments, and going toe-to-toe with her as needed to create moments within moments. In lesser hands, the choreography would have gotten fumbled but Gary V is a master.
We love the "Sana Maulit Muli" duet of Gary with daughter Kiana, the way it was done by him and singer Kyla two decades ago. We also enjoyed Gary singing "Hawak Kamay" and "Babalik Ka Rin" with guest performer Yeng Constantino.
Somehow "Hawak Kamay" sounded bigger and dramatic, while "Babalik Ka Rin" benefitted from the new tempo and a touch of World Music. "Sana Maulit Muli" ala Gary and Kiana is divine.
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| Gary and Yeng Constantino |
6. Timing is everything, and Gary knows it.
There is an art to presenting songs in an order that tells a story, for a musical journey to come full circle. Gary and his son, director Paolo Valenciano, as well as the Genesis team and "Reenergized" musical director Mon crafted an unbeatable repertoire. They know instinctively when to slow down, when to get people on their feet or when to make them think or cry or fall in love. In that the previous song is a setup to the next one, and so on. A momentum is built, a gravity. It requires a lot of thought and a lot of gut feel to get this right. For Gary and his team, it's second nature.
7. He loves Jesus.
At the height of the pandemic, Gary's video of "Take Me Out Of The Dark" shot in his studio got the world reflecting on their ways and their relationship with God. Hearing the song live now that the pandemic, hopefully, is nearly over, it still gets to us. The song convicts the heart and Gary is a humble but nevertheless amazing instrument of the savior to reach out to sinner. We doubt it if Gary would be this effective if he doesn't walk the talk when it comes to God. But clearly, he knows Jesus. Amen.
8. Gary is a star.
By that we don't just mean his stature in the industry. To this day, Gary continues to lead the industry; inspiring and guiding others when it comes to longevity and keeping integrity as an artist.
Know your brand. Consistently put game face on whether you're performing to two people or 200,000 people. Listen to your audience but neither lose your way nor sell your soul just to be liked. Never tire of reinventing self and song. Pray, and if it's according to His Will, it shall be given to you.
Love (songs) can move mountains but a great dance number can shake, quake. Trust and love your manager. Regale your followers---they put you where you are.
Live in the moment of a song and people will relate to it. Drink water, lots of it (basic).
As artist, be yourself.
So, see you next year on Valentine's Day, Gary Valenciano. It's a date.
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