Gary V returns to where it all began

MANILA, Philippines — Many people thought the three-night concert of Gary Valenciano last April and May at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena was the last of his performances in major venues.

“After we did those three shows early this year — in April 26, 27 and May 10 — I thought that was it,” Gary told The Philippine STAR. “But then, there were requests. I have a soft heart for people who go, ‘My family is coming home’ or ‘My mom was sick, now she’s okay. We actually bought tickets already, but we had to give them away.’”

Even when Gary went on tour in the US last October, people were bugging him, “Hey, are you going to have a repeat of your MOA Arena concert?” He gave very tentative answers.

The one that capped it all was Smart Araneta Coliseum, where Gary had his first concert four decades ago. He is set to return to where it all began, ready to deliver an energetic, nostalgic celebration of his storied career.

“Araneta told me, ‘You started your career with us,”‘Gary said. “Why don’t you complete this whole 40-year journey with us, as well.’”

Gary’s first major concert, “A-Live,” was held at the Big Dome and directed by fellow singer Jet Montelibano of the Music and Magic on April 13, 1984.

Interestingly, that was the time when Gary was in the middle of controversy. Angeli Pangilinan, who would become his wife, was pregnant with the guy who calls himself “the original sin,” their first-born, Paolo Valenciano.

“What happened was hyped up to such a huge controversy,” Gary recalled. “In may ways, it really was. I was only 19 years old at that time, almost 20, I was not married yet and I was about to become an unwed father.

“I’ll never forget the late Ricky Lo. When it came to journalism, he was the guy you didn’t want to cross paths with. You don’t want to catch him on the wrong side. So, I remember sitting down in the press conference two weeks before my first-ever major concert.

“Ricky looked at me and asked, ‘What we want to know is if it is true.’ I even teased, ‘Yeah, it’s true. I have a concert on April 13 (1984), Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.’ But Ricky countered that. ‘What we want to know is if you were the unwed father that other writers were speculating about.”’

Gary was left with no choice but to honestly answer the question.

“We had a meeting prior to the press conference,” he further shared. “What do we do? Do we bring Angeli to the States? Does she stay with my family? Does she go to Australia?”

His eldest sister, Diane, butted in and said, “Why don’t we ask Gary what he thinks?” Apparently, he could not decide at 19. “I just told them, ‘Look, if people come to the concert, then that’s a good sign.’

“But if our tickets don’t sell and there was nobody who came, then, that was the sign that my career was good while it lasted.”

“It was tough, at that time,” he recalled. “The moment before I opened the show at Araneta — I opened from the bleachers and there was a ramp that went down attached to the stage.”

“Before I went up onstage, we had a short prayer. I had no relationship with the Lord yet at that time. My sister, Gina, entered the dressing room crying. I asked her why was she crying? She told us, ‘We’re sold out.’”

“That was when I started to feel nervous. There were people out there. So, people who watched me then, were probably thinking and had this mindset, ‘Who is this Gary Valenciano who was so controversial?’ But people came.

“So, I went up the bleachers and I couldn’t hear the audience at all. The National Anthem was played and the opening song started. Ironically, it called Brand New Day. My two guests Sharon Cuneta and Zsa Zsa Padilla — already came out.

“They performed with me. That was it. If I tell you the story again today, my hair stands. I guess that was the sign. I told them, I guess we have to stay. It was a good thing I did.”

From that time on, there was no stopping Gary V from conquering the music world. Even his records soared to the top of the music charts. He entered TV and had his career performing on “ASAP” every Sunday for the past two decades.

He was never out of the music scene. He became synonymous with musical excellence and high-energy performances over the last four decades.

His wife, Angeli, remains the wind beneath his wings all the 40 years they are together. She never left his side.

Gary’s two-night concert on Dec. 20 and 22 will practically be the same as his concert early this year. “I don’t want to change it too much so the people who saw it already will not blame me from removing a particular number,” he said. “We are going to do the same thing.”

The guests, however, will be different. “There will be plenty of new guests who will join me onstage this time,” Gary said. “But we don’t want to change the narrative of the entire concert. The guests will not be singing their songs. They will be performing my songs because they were actually part of it.”

He is even guesting in BINI’s three-night concert. “I remember when I was the age of BINI, I could prolong the energy when onstage,” Gary shared. “It’s more difficult now.”

The likes of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid have agreed to guest in “Pure Energy: One Last Time,” with Darren Espanto, as well as Maymay Entrata. Opening the show on Dec. 20 will be Kiana Valenciano, while on Dec. 22, it will be the indie alternative rock band, Over October.

Last year, Gary marked his 100th solo show at the Music Museum with his wildly successful sold-out, 10-night concert series, “Gary V: Back at the Museum.” From an initial run of four shows in August 2023, it was extended twice, underscoring Gary’s enduring popularity and the impact of his music and performances.

He also received multiple standing ovations from jam-packed audiences during his US-Canada tour. Gary’s original announcement for “Pure Energy: One Last Time” initially led many to assume the unthinkable: that he would officially retire from performing.

However, he has since clarified that while he’s stepping back from headlining solo shows in large venues like arenas and domes, his passion for music and performing remains as strong as ever.

Gary’s career has been marked by passion, resilience and a strong connection with his audience — qualities that have only deepened through personal health battles. That unbelievably includes a 45-year struggle with Type 1 diabetes, hepatitis, tuberculosis, arthroscopic surgeries on his right knee, a heart bypass surgery, kidney cancer, dengue fever, COVID-19, pneumonia and an angioplasty this 2024.

But despite such medical challenges, Gary’s commitment to his craft is as strong as ever, as is his desire to uplift and inspire through his music. “Pure Energy: One More Time” will be directed by Paolo Valenciano,with Mon Faustino as musical director.