We’ve got Pure Energy on a FANtastic Friday! The one and only Gary Valenciano joined Rico on the show for an insightful, hour long conversation about life, love, music, and more.
Gary V just released a new song called “Make Us Whole Again,” which he started writing last year for the more than 11,000 ABS-CBN employees after the shutdown. However, he couldn’t get himself to finish writing it by the end of 2020. “I couldn’t get out of the second verse, and I couldn't get out of the bridge. But I'm not one who likes to force my songs, you know.”
It was starting January this year when new coronavirus strains arrived, and more people closer to Gary started to pass away, that he became inspired to finish writing it. “These things inspired me. The frontliners inspired me. The issues of people who now have anxiety disorders or mental issues who’ve never had these issues before,” he said. “These people are the ones that inspired me to finish this song.”
Gary expressed his sadness and sympathies for those who’ve lost someone close to them because of the pandemic, and channeled these emotions into the song and its music video. “I just want it to be as raw as possible, because the message is meant to be received that way,” he said of the “Make Us Whole Again” video, which was quite simple, just him singing live in his studio set up. “As simple as can be yet as impactful as can be.”
And what an impactful song it is, indeed! Watch the music video along with Gary’s message here:
Imagine seeing Gary V perform this live! We’re sure it will be such a bittersweet moment. Does he plan to have a concert when the pandemic ends? “Yeah, I think I will! I’ve been planning for a BIG concert.” There were plans to have one in 2020 before lockdown happened, and again this year in August for his birthday, but it might not push through that soon. “It wouldn’t be right for me to concentrate so much on a concert at this time,” he explained. So while any Gary V concerts are still in the planning stage, he’ll just keep in shape so he’s ready when the time comes!
The interview got Gary V reminiscing on the many performances he’s had over the years, including some pretty funny ones! Rico asked what the hardest song he’s ever performed on ASAP was, and Gary responded, “This is gonna be embarrassing!” He told the story of an ASAP Christmas special where the performers were divided into groups, and his group did a number from the musical Hairspray. “We changed roles. Every man was going to play a woman’s role, and every girl was going to play the men’s roles. So, I remember I ended up playing the mom’s role. John Travolta’s role? That was my role! That was tough to do!” He enjoyed it, though, because he likes doing crazy performances that will shock people in a good way.
As many as there are fun performances, there are some emotional ones, too. Gary V recalled a concert he had in Hong Kong for OFW domestic workers. “You’re singing a song like ‘Babalik Ka Rin.’ You know, Rico, everything changes when I do that song,” he said, “The whole atmosphere is like, you don’t have to talk about it, but you know that 95, 98 percent of these girls are there without their families. And they’re just striving to stay alive.” After that concert, he went up to the emotional audience to comfort and hug them.
“It’s just amazing that you can move so many people with your performances,” Rico said. “Napapagod din ba si Mr. Pure Energy?”
“Lagi akong napapagod, especially now!” Gary V admitted, saying that he’ll be turning 57 in August. “I can come out on stage and still perform. I may not have the same stamina, or the same strength as I once had, but there’s still the same passion kasi, when I step out on stage. I think people see that. I never, never wanna get to the point where I’m performing and people notice, ‘He’s kinda slowed down. Maybe he should stop na.’”
Over the many years of Gary V’s career – heartfelt music, incredible performances, and becoming one of the biggest names in the industry – from the many mentors and colleagues he’s encountered, there’s one person who has really stuck. “There were people who would give comments, and I would always end up with my wife, Angeli. She always had the courage to tell me what I NEEDED to hear.” He advises young artists to find someone who can do the same for them. “Please make sure you are surrounded by a team of people. People who can really tell you what you need to hear.
Another person who has made an impact on Gary V is fellow artist Martin Nievera. “Every singer has the habit of doing a certain motion, and that’s where he gets the hugot, the power for hitting those notes that may be up in the air. In my case, when I would do that, and because my songs were really high before, I would always have my eyes closed,” Gary explained. “Martin said, ‘Gary, try and open your eyes so that people see you. They can see you singing the song to them. They’re not watching you sing. They’re seeing you communicating something to them.’ And you know what? He was right. There’s nothing like seeing the reaction of people when you sing.”
Throughout the past year, what is it that gives Mr. Pure Energy his energy? Other than making music, he loves to bike and make vlogs about his biking trails (he calls them Gary V-cicleta – genius!).
He’s also getting into a project he initially started years ago. “In 2007, 2008, I ventured into what I’m now realizing is called cinematic audio, wherein it’s short stories, but it sounds like you’re watching a movie, minus the video. So, the piece or the podcast, or the material, will allow your mind to create your own scenario as to what the story looks like.” He’s started working with people from Pray.com to bring some Bible stories to life through ‘cinematic audio’ podcasts featuring his own music. “It’s something that I’ve been waiting for! I started it out in 2007, and now 14 years later, the opportunity is here!” Sounds exciting, we hope we get to hear it soon!
What has been giving Mr. Pure Energy his energy? “What I’m thankful for, Rico, is that the things I do, when I feel that it makes me feel good, a lot of people also feel good about it. It’s a win-win situation for me.” Gary V said. He also talked about spending lots of time in prayer and taking walks, just speaking to God from within and knowing that God understands what he’s saying. What an inspiring note to send us off with for the weekend. Thank you so much to Gary Valenciano for coming on the show and treating the Monsters and fans to a refreshing, honest conversation!
Watch the full interview on All Out here: