The 'Relevance' of Gary Valenciano

After almost a 10-year wait, Gary Valenciano's all-original album titled "Relevance" has been released by Universal Records, in cooperation with GV Productions, Inc., and Manila Genesis Entertainment.

"RELEVANCE" was premiered live at SM Megamall's Cinema 4 last May 24, with MYX, SM Cinema, ABS-CBN Interactive, Philippine Star, Belo Medical Group, Watch Republic, Freego Jeans and Carrera Bag as sponsors.

Among the biggest hits of Gary V's 23-year career are his original songs, particularly those he released during the '80s and '90s like Eto Na Naman, Di Bale Na Lang, Wag Mo Sanang Isipin, What More Can I Say, Sana Maulit Muli, Shout For Joy, and the pop/inspirational classic Take Me Out Of The Dark.

The there was a five-year gap when Gary stopped writing original materials except Once Again It's Christmas which he recorded as a duet with daughter Kiana; and Break Me, which he wrote for the late starbuilder Bella Dy Tan of Universal Records.

Gary V's last original album was "Interactive" in 1997. But doing original songs was always at the back of his mind.

"I really wanted to go back to recording originals, but the thing is, with original songs, you're coming from scratch. It's not just a simple matter of sitting down and writing. You want songs you were really inspired to write, or songs that others were really inspired to write, or songs that others were really inspired to write for you", he says.

The album's carrier single is a ballad called Wait Forever, which has already been translated into music video and is now airing on MYX and MTV music channels.

More ballads are in the album: Even For A While, Sana Bukas, In Another Lifetime, Only A Friend, You Gave Me Reason, and You Are, a duet with Eddie Villanueva's daughter Joni.

"Relevance" has the contagious dance tunes Gary has always been known for - (I Know) What You Want, Shake It Off and a 2006 version Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin, featuring Gary V's daughter Kiana.

Gary V also collaborated with Gerard Salonga (conducting the orchestra for Even for A While) and Mon Faustino (who arranged and produced In Another Lifetime).

Half of the songs in the album were written by Cebuano tuneweaver Jude Thaddeu Gitamondoc, Francis Funa and Richard Cayabyab; while You Gave Me A Reason was penned by the Scandinavian team who wrote hits for Britney Spears (Baby One More Time, Oops I Did It Again), Backstreet Boys (I Want It That Way) and Kelly Clarkson (Since You've Been Gone).

Gary's happy to be able to come up with original songs again. It was both a creative and spiritual struggle, after which all the songs and ideas came pouring in. Now he has more songs for another album. Next in line is "Revive II" and maybe, another dance album.

At the "Relevance" live premiere is SM Megamall's Cinema 4, Gary was joined onstage by the Tribe of Levi, Mon Espia, Melissa Fontano, May Ann Casal-Soriano and his musical director Mon Faustino.

The live premiere of "Relevance" was staged by Universal Records in cooperation with GV Production, Inc., and Manila Genesis Entertainment, MYX and Centerstage.