The music of Gary V: Timeless & timely

MANILA, Philippines – I tread lightly in saying that Gary Valenciano’s name is resonant, and that he is an institution in the OPM scene. I am a late ’90s baby and he was the background music to my childhood, and as I was given the chance, I jumped at the opportunity to be able to see him live in concert after nearly a decade since my last. Gary V Presents… was a two-night concert held at Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts Wold Manila and boasted of an 11-man roster of fresh and talented musicians, hand-picked personally by Gary himself. 

Thirty-two years is a long time and as Gary notes during the concert, industries are ever-changing. As someone who was once a simple-minded little girl, my personal preference for music has evolved from nursery rhymes to songs that speak to my soul. And back then, I had Gary’s music committed to memory as harmless little ditties that entertained my elders when I danced and mumbled his songs. I sat there in the audience expecting that his music would only evoke a sense of nostalgia, instead I was hit with a barrage of emotion.

He opens the show by simply walking to center stage, no music, not even a single spotlight, just him and a microphone with all stage lights on. It brings on a sense of simplicity and a feeling of intimacy with the artist as he goes on to explain his concept. He then starts the set with a classic, Shout For Joy, and introduces his special guests. The theater is abuzz with excitement as people sing along and instantly the energy level is set to an ultimate high and the mood is light.

Upon first glance at Gary’s roster of featured artists, one may ponder the possible outcome of the concert as they are from very different areas of the music scene. His guests vary from theater performers, belters, to pop singers and, even a folk singer. With this array of artists, Valenciano ventures to give new treatments to some of his classics.

The entire show was mind-blowing, to say the least, and it would be difficult to narrow it down to favorite performances. I enjoyed Gary’s and folk artist Bullet Dumas’ very different rendition of Babalik Ka Rin, and as Gary performed Could You Be Messiah with theater performers Carla Guevara-Laforteza and Jimmy Marquez, I was rendered speechless and astonished by their crisp voices. Gary and Monique Lualhati’s rendition of Spain was astounding and really tested Lualhati’s range and proved her vocal flexibility. Gary’s number with singer-songwriter Lara Maigue where they performed Sa Iyo Na Lang Ako and Kailangan Kita was also very awesome and memorable. Then there was what I fondly refer to as the painfully beautiful Heartbreak Medley (composed of Each Passing Night, Reaching Out, Narito and Sana Maulit Muli) which was artfully performed by Katrina Velarde and Maki Ricafort right before a Michael Jackson sing-off. Gary also performed Paano with three male performers, Timmy Pavino, RJ dela Fuente and again Jimmy. Despite their different singing backgrounds, the four men managed to blend together and become one harmonious sound. Mitoy Yonting remains to be a powerhouse of a voice as he sang Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos with Gary, and Janice Javier immediately brings the energy up in Hataw Na as she and Gary showed off some fancy footwork.

Being Gary Valenciano and having the vision to come up with such a concept is certainly going to open doors for many of the featured artists. Touching upon a diverse group truly shed some light on upcoming artists that honestly deserved the spotlight. It was obvious by the varying ages of the audience that Gary continues to leave his mark and remains a part of the ever-changing soundtrack of people’s lives.

Congratulations to Gary, with his contribution to the music and vocal arrangements (specifically for Di Bale Na Lang, Shout For Joy, Look In Her Eyes, and the Heartbreak medley of Maki and Katrina), and who I believe still deserves the moniker Mr. Pure Energy after the show. He proved that he can still easily outdance mostly anyone, to Mon Faustino, who contributed to the wonderful song arrangements, and also to Manila Genesis for putting together an amazing show.