GARY V: The Magic Is Still There

As one looks at Gary Valenciano's career, one can only see a sense of balance that is rare in the industry he represents. He has tried the movies and appeared with the likes of Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Gretchen Barretto, Maricel Soriano, Princess Punzalan and was directed by no less than Lino Brocka in a couple of projects. He has tried television, prefers recording and live performances. He has received a Best Actor Award for one of the telecines he has appeared in and is best known for his dramatic roles. In the recording scene, Gary has released 16 albums and has over a hundred awards for his productions. He has sold over a million albums in the Philippines (excluding pirated merchandise). Unknown to many, for over a dozen years, when one hears a Gary V song, most if not all of the instrumentation is done by the singer himself as record producer and arranger. Songs like Everybody Get Down, More and More, Ikaw Lamang, Shout for Joy, Babalik Ka Rin, Gaya ng Dati, Take Me Out of the Dark, Sana Maulit Muli, Di Bale na Lang, Eto Na Naman, Each Passing Night, Narito,were produced and arranged by Gary in his recording studio, with his computer and his equipment. Known as a legend in record production, Gary V has continued to reap what he has sown as his latest CD release, Gary V: Interactive received his third Album of the Year trophy for 1999. The video of More and More, a Gary V composition directed by Louie Ignacio, is a nominee for Best Male Music Video for MTV Philippines for 2000.

In the concert scene, Gary has performed all over the world in concerts and duets with international celebrities like Japanese trumpet player, Terumasa Hino, gospel artist Sandi Patti, Kool and the Gang, Barbara Weathers of Atlantic Starr, and recently with Julia Fordham in Manila.

As a family man, Gary has maintained a very controlled schedule to prioritize his time with wife Angeli and three children, Paolo, 15, Gabriel, 11 and Kiana 7. As a juvenile diabetic of 21 years, Gary's doctor has joyfully relayed that his (Gary's) eyes are clear of glaucoma, considered a miracle in this day and age. His commitment to family and excellence in his profession made him the First National Ambassador of the Philippines for UNICEF.

In the international scene, Gary V has carved a niche in the Christian music world as he has performed with Reverend Billy Graham in Puerto Rico in 1995 and his composition with lyricist Freddie Santos, Could You Be Messiah, was made into a music video by the same group. He also performs in the minister's last crusade in Amsterdam this July. He is host of 700 Club's One Cubed music video show that airs at the Sky Angel channel in the United States this month. He performs in Hong Kong this May and in Paris on June 10. He has just arrived from a successful trip to Japan as he ministered to Japanese and Filipinos in a series of convention meetings of Rev. Morris Cerrulo. He has performed in the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Middle East, Italy, in solo concerts and has released three international albums.

In celebration of his 17th year in the business, Nation Broadcasting Corporation in cooperation with Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc. presents Gary V in Concert for the Joey Concert Series at the Fort at 9 tonight with Mon Faustino as musical director, the Powerpay, the Manoeuvres, and the Hotlegs. Gary V will perform well-loved hits and encourage fans with his inspirational songs. Expected to excite the audiences will be production numbers with Gary on the percussion instruments and new musical arrangements by Mon Faustino.