Gary V scores international victories

MANILA, Philippines - After appearing in With Love Gary Valenciano, a music special produced by ABS-CBN, which not only aired on the Kapamilya Network but also replayed on Studio 23 and The Filipino Channel (TFC), Gary Valenciano scores yet another victory as he recently conquered the tough New Zealand market.

Despite the lack of TFC in the country, thousands flocked to the concert, proving the strength of Gary in the overseas market. Backstage, a Kiwi native who was part of the security said, “I didn’t know who he was but after watching and listening to him, I’m a fan! He is good!” Gary was surprised when a Malaysian fan Ming Lim (wearing a Gary V T-shirt) together with Filipino wife Hazel of Sydney flew to Auckland just to watch the concert.  Performing with him was eldest son Paolo Valenciano, who drew screams and cheers from the 3,000-strong audience when he sang his father’s hits Babalik ka Rin, Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?, What More Can I Say and Hang On. The handsome but shy singer/songwriter is currently a member of the rock band Salamin and occasionally does session lead vocals for Rivermaya. He joined his father and brother music producer/dancer, ASAP Rocks mainstay Gabriel, in Virginia Beach as they performed in a live full concert at the CBN Grounds last Oct. 1 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of 700 Club USA. Gary has repeatedly shared his testimony and sang on the national television show for over 15 years due to his friendship with Pat and Gordon Robertson. CBN president Michael Little personally met Gary when he arrived after a 30-hour travel schedule. He has shared his miraculous, personal 33-year battle with Type 1 Diabetes nationwide in the US because he has been hailed by doctors as one of the healthiest diabetics alive having no complications in his body. His wife, Angeli, has been a member of the Board of CBN Asia and the Operation Blessing Foundation in the Philippines since the NGOs were established in the early ’90s.  

In the mid-’90s Gary has also appeared as the main host for one season of a youth music video show, One-Cubed, for 700 Club and taped the series in Virginia Beach, USA.

Recently also, Gary conquered Malaysia as he launched his first Bahasa recording Ayu, an adaptation of his self-penned composition, Fool Till The End. Together with DIGI, Muzikon and Maximusic Malaysia, Gary and his Philippine home recording label, Universal Records, are slated to release his album this month and he will fly again to Malaysia in November for the official launch in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.  Gary toured television shows like Hello on Two, Breakfast Club and Breakfast Show, among others and conducted interviews and photo shoots with various media. “This is one open door that I would gladly walk through,” Gary stated in a recent interview at the Hard Rock Café where he had a media conference. In attendance were Muzikon, Inc.’s Richard Voon, Universal Records Philippines’ Louie Lizardo, DIGI marketing boss Pearlie Lim (who presented Gary with a gift) and Genesis president Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano.

With a 28-year stellar career proven by millions of hits on his musical recordings posted officially or unofficially by fans on YouTube and other sites, Gary V continues to tread on various territories victoriously.  On television, he has been a regular host of the top-rating weekly musical variety show ASAP Rocks on ABS-CBN. The show with over 60 regular co-hosts, looks up to Gary as their “big brother” and his passion for excellence has proven to be an inspiration to his younger colleagues in the show. He has recently renewed his contract with ASAP Rocks and one can expect more exciting numbers from his Rated PG (Pure Gary) segment.

He recently released With Love Gary Valenciano which was a co-production of ABS-CBN and Star Cinema, a Star Records release of his best-loved teleserye/soap opera and movie theme songs such as the recent classical masterpieces Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin and Where Do I Begin (Love Story). It topped the charts over all (both local and foreign releases) and continues to enjoy brisk sales in the market. Star Records intends to market the album in the Asian region in 2012. His album Replay has reached gold and platinum status.

A new album is in the works with Universal Records celebrating a 25-year partnership with the label. Several new endorsements, an inspirational tour, a concert with the Vee family (as they call themselves) with his children Paolo, Gabriel and Kiana, as well as a new movie are all in the pipeline for Gary V for the last quarter of 2011.