Gary Valenciano reflects on son Gab Valenciano’s earlier battle with depression

Gary V

Josh Mercado

<div><strong>Trigger warning: Suicide is mentioned in this story.</strong></div><p>MANILA -- Gab Valenciano, who now has a successful career in the United States, spoke out in May about overcoming depression and finding a community in Los Angeles who shared his belief in the importance of mental health.</p><p>Other celebrities, like Gab, are becoming open about their mental struggles, sharing their stories and inspiring others.</p><p>In an interview with ABS-CBN News during the press tour for his upcoming “Pure Energy: One More Time” concert, Gab’s father <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Gary Valenciano</span> opened up about his son’s previous battle with depression. </p><p>“Sa lahat ng mga anak ko, siya yata ‘yung dumaan talaga sa pinakagrabeng mental health issues. Minsan naaawa ako sa kanya when he’s taking his medication. It affects him in a different way. Hindi siya makatulog or lagi siyang natutulog, ganyan (effects). Naaawa ako when he goes through those things but it has made the family closer,” he told ABS-CBN News.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1731646387124image0 (1).jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano with his son Gab. "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano with his son Gab. </span></span></span></div><p>Reflecting on his son’s journey, Valenciano continued, “Gab was a spokesperson for Philippine Red Cross para sa mga ganoon. Gabriel has had issues and he did try to take his own life. He did try twice at least sa pagkakaalam namin but Gab is open about these things now and I’m thankful that he is.”</p><p>“I was sad at the time when he had all of these issues going, but he has improved so very much. The way he cares for others na dumadaan din sa iba-ibang klase ng mental health o pagsubok. And the way he talks is quite deep as well,” he added.</p><p>The OPM icon stated that things like this brought the family closer together. He also said that it helped him love his son more deeply.</p><p>“When Gab was going through all of these things, it only made the family closer. It was tough. [Sino] namang pamilya ang gustong makarinig na ang isa sa kanila (family member) ay sinubukang magpakamatay. It made me love him even deeper. Ganoon kasi siya when you stay with Gab. He’s a clown. He’ll make people laugh all the time but he goes through a lot of issues also,” he shared with ABS-CBN News. </p><div><strong>Christmas celebration and concert preparation</strong></div><p>The Valenciano family&#x27;s Christmas tree decoration has become a tradition, with Kiana always putting the star on top of the tree.</p><p>“Hindi puwedeng mawala sa pamilya Valenciano ang Pasko. We were supposed to put up the C\hristmas tree but we were waiting for Kiana because Kiana is always the one na naglalagay ng bituin sa ibabaw ng tree. Minsan, kapag wala si Kiana, si Lea, my granddaughter. But it’s Kiana talaga who puts the star. That ends the night of decorating the christmas tree,” said Valenciano.</p><p>“I don’t think na may dumaang taon na hindi kami magkasama sa pagtayo ng Christmas tree. Christmas kasi is really special to me and to my family,” he added.</p><p>On December 20 and 22, the music legend will return to the Araneta Coliseum for his “Pure Energy: One More Time” concert. </p><p>His son Paolo Valenciano will direct the concert at Araneta, with Mon Faustino serving as musical director.</p><p>It is produced in partnership with ABS-CBN, Soundcheck, Novotel Hotels &amp; Resorts, PLDT Home, Philippine Airlines, GAOC, Naproxen Sodium Skelan by UNILAB, JB Music, Globaltronics, Power Mac, Francis Libiran, Toni &amp; Guy, Young Living Essential Oils, French Baker, and Tung Lok with the support of other esteemed sponsors.</p><p>Tickets are available at TicketNet Online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or by emailing tickets@garyv.com.</p><p>Prices for General Admission begin at P750, with Upper Box seats at PH2,000, Lower Box B at P5,000, and Lower Box A at P6,000. Patron tickets start at P10,000, VIP tickets at P12,500, and Platinum seats at P15,000.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/5/9/gab-valenciano-opens-up-about-overcoming-depression-1847" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gab Valenciano opens up about overcoming depression</a></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvfmxP8gXrs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/znsK7fK8lvQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cUC_H2TiEoQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Gary Valenciano reflects on son Gab Valenciano’s earlier battle with depression</p>

Gary V reflects on son Gab’s earlier battle with depression | ABS-CBN

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Gary V reflects on son Gab’s earlier battle with depression

Gary V reflects on son Gab’s earlier battle with depression

Josh Mercado

Published Nov 15, 2024 01:23 PM PHT

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Gary Vaenciano

Gab Valenciano

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