“Once a career has lasted this long, it often brings to mind this question, ‘How long can this go on for?’” said Gary Valenciano during his concert, Pure Energy: One More Time. “The thing is, I got an answer. And it came in a way only God could give.”

Many have wondered why, with a career still going strong, Gary decided to have his final solo major concert, even calling it Pure Energy: One Last Time. Fans worried that it signaled Gary’s retirement from the industry he had been part of for the past 40 years. 

On the first day of the concert’s repeat, dubbed Pure Energy: One More Time held last December 20, 2024, Gary clarified that he wasn’t retiring.

READ: Gary Valenciano on retirement rumors: ‘Hindi ako magre-retire’

On the same day, he also gave the story behind the title. It actually started way back in 2008.

“Let me take you back to November 14 and 15 of 2008. I was celebrating my 25th Anniversary here at the Araneta. The problem was, wala akong boses nun. For both nights. That on the morning of the 2nd show, November 15, I had to wake Angeli up. With barely any voice to speak I said, ‘Honey, you have to pray for me. I have no voice left,’” he began. “What I remember ‘dun sa prayer niya were the first few words, because that’s when it began. Her voice started to fade away into the background only to usher in this vision.”

Gary shared how, in that moment, he had a vision where he had a special moment with God. 

“Now, a God-given vision usually meant to symbolize something in the future that’s going to take place. Well friends, that future is now. So, in this vision, I saw myself walking at night toward the direction of the horizon. And I also knew that I wasn’t walking alone. Kasi there was this bright source of light at the corner of my eye that enveloped me in so much peace. The kind that transcended all my understanding. That it was undoubtedly the God that you have often heard me speak about.”

In his vision, Gary walked with this Divine Presence until he heard Him speak. 

“I stopped in my tracks. Then I heard Him say, ‘It’s okay, Gary. It’s okay to stop and look back.’ And so I did look back, and you know what I saw? Like playing suspended up in the air, it was the concert of the night before, ‘yung November 14. Then I looked back at the horizon that looked like a new day had already begun and I started walking again.”

At some point, he stopped walking.

“And again I heard Him say, ‘Gary, it’s okay to stop. You can stop and look back but now when you do, I want you to take your time.’ And so I did look back, and this time what I saw was the concert the night before and every other concert that I had done from the beginning of my then 25-year old career. While I stood there, amazed at the sight, I heard His tender voice once more saying, ‘It was fun, no?’ And with tears running down my eyes, I nodded and whispered my answer: ‘Yeah, it was.’ And you know He can actually hear my heart right now saying, ‘And I’m going to miss this one. All of this.’ But then He said, ‘There’s more, but it’s that way.’ Pointing toward the horizon.”

Gary then looked toward the horizon, finding it empty. 

“Part of my mind was saying, but there’s nothing there, Lord.’ My heart, however, knew that He knows what’s out there. He was standing right beside me and He had no intention of ever leaving me. And then He said, ‘It may not be as grand, Gary, but it will be fulfilling. Maybe even more fulfilling than the past.’ He then folded his arms, leaned forward then asked me, ‘So, you want to go?’ I just nodded and started walking down the horizon with Him once more.”

It was at this point that Gary knew that, while he may be nearing the end of one part of his journey, he was called to set out on another adventure.

“Friends, doing things like this has never been easy. What more now, in this season of my 60th year of life. Nakakapagod din,” he admitted. “But there is a calling. A leading. This energizing need to go deeper into the spirit of uplighting, encouraging, and inspiring many more, now than ever before. And for as long as this heart beats, that is what I will do.”

It is no secret that Gary has long been battling personal health issues, which include 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. Yet, including the day of his concert, Gary continued to give the best of himself, using his talents and his platform to give glory to God. 

“I’ve given you my all, as I’ve consistently as I tried to do in every performance I’ve given you in the past 40 years. All meant to move you right here (heart). And this is how I wish I’d be remembered,” he said. 

READ: Gary V’s ‘Pure Energy: One More Time’ cut short due to medical condition

“I know it sounds like a drama, but hey look, it’s the final page of a chapter that’s being written here right now. But it’s not the final page of the book,” said Gary. “And me, I’m gonna walk into that great empty horizon with its challenges and its victories. With each step taken, it will be taken with energy, with hope, by faith. And wholeheartedly trusting Him, the source of all my pure energy.”