Gary V.: ‘Can’t take energy out of Mr. Pure Energy’

MANILA, Philippines – Although he admits dancing is no longer as easy as it was for him, Gary Valenciano says the “energy” he was known for in his performances will always remain in his repertoire. 

During the press launch of his new inspirational album “With You” on Tuesday, March 4, the 49-year-old singer said, “Hinding-hindi mawawala yung galaw sa akin.”

The singer, who is also known as Mr. Pure Energy for incorporating dynamic dance moves in his performances, knows are also wondering until when he can live up to his name. But Gary said he’d rather not be pressured by the audience’s expectations of him.

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“Me, I’m just gonna come out and enjoy. Bahala na kung ano ang sasabihin ng tao. But I’m going to come out, I’m going to dance, I’m going to move,” he said, adding he knows there will come a time when dancing would no longer be the “main thrusts” of his performances and concerts. 

“Hindi ako maprepressure sa pangalang Mr. Pure Energy. Kasi sa oras na yun ang nangyari, yun at yun na lang ang iisipin ko.  And I don’t want to worry about that,” Gary explained.

The “ASAP” mainstay added his son Paolo Valenciano advised him to go for smaller but more precise movements for his upcoming concert this April.

“The moves may be different, but instead of making it big, it's being precise. You make small moves, but very precise,” he said. “Experimenting will always be part of my life. Dance music always flows through my veins.”

Asked what new title he would give himself if he has to relinquish the Mr. Pure Energy tag, Gary said: “I’ll think of a name that has something to do with impossibilities being made possible and being a living and walking miracle.”

His new album—Gary’s first inspirational record in almost six year since 2007’s “Rebirth”—proves the singer-performer is more than just his bombastic dance moves. “With You” features 10 inspirational songs in the vein of his earlier hits such as “Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos,” “Take Me Out of the Dark,” and “Warrior is a Child.”

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Gary believes the inspirational album came out at the “proper time,” considering the “man-made or natural catastrophes that happened to the country” last year.

Of course, Gary hopes that some songs from his album would become a radio hit. But more than that, he explains, “Mas mahalaga sa akin na, kunwari, naglalakad ako sa mall or something and someone comes up to me, whether young or old, and say, ‘Alam mo, Gary, yung kanta mo sa bago mong album, medyo iba e, iba ang dating’.”