Arzen Rose Dulzura

What stayed the same in Gary V’s 40-year career and how he bridges generations through music

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

In his remarkable 40-year journey in the entertainment industry, Gary Valenciano has witnessed countless transformations—trends that have come and gone, and technologies that have reshaped the way music is made and shared. Yet, amidst all these changes, some things remain constant, such as his unwavering work ethic, his principles, and his passion for music. For Gary, or Gary V, as he&#x27;s fondly called by many, music has always been more than just a career; it’s a bridge that allows him to resonate with different generations. Gary tells Kapamilya Chat during the &quot;Spill The Tea-To&quot; segment that his work ethic remains the same today as it was when he was just a newbie. His number one rule is to arrive earlier than the call time. He also takes rehearsals and preparations seriously, never allowing himself to grow complacent. The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap">“ASAP”</a> frontliner believes there’s no such thing as a veteran singer just breezing through a song. “Even if I perform in Araneta Coliseum, let’s say, 600 times, then 600 times mag-iiba palagi ang audience. So, you have to make sure that when you sing a song, you’re singing it like the first time.” This mindset, he says, is one of the ways he sustains his passion after all these years. Delivering a mediocre performance is never an option. He&#x27;s the type of an artist who never settles for “okay na” in anything he does—whether it’s singing, dancing, or hosting. “If you have the time to do something excellent, then make it excellent. Don’t settle for anything less,” he emphasizes. Gary has insightful wisdom to impart as he shares his life mantra to always choose excellence over perfection. “When you strive for excellence, it means that even if you’re not perfect, you’re leaving room for God’s excellence to shine through your imperfections,” he shares. For him, it’s not always about receiving loud applause or an overwhelming “wow” from the audience, but about creating a quiet sense of amazement that resonates deeply in their hearts. Forty years. Countless hits and unforgettable performances. He says his &quot;Major Impact&quot; concert from the 1990s is one of his favorites among many cherished moments in the past four decades. The show featured Regine Velasquez and the late Francis Magalona as guest performers. “I was 26 years old, so I was in my peak. &#x27;Yun ang isa sa mga concerts na masasabi kong hindi ako napagod kasi the energy was just outstanding, and the people were right there with me,&quot; he recalls. The title &quot;Major Impact&quot; came from the popular trend of that era of using the word “major” to describe something extraordinary. Making it even more unforgettable was the earthquake that happened during their brainstorming session for the concert. He remembers having a meeting with his friend, actor-director Rowell Santiago, in Tagaytay City when a powerful earthquake struck Luzon, with Baguio City as the epicenter. Another one of his most memorable and best performances was &quot;Pure Energy: One Last Time,&quot; a spectacular three-hour concert held last May and directed by his son, Paolo Valenciano. Due to its success, the show will have a repeat this December 20 and 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, now titled &quot;One More Time,&quot; still directed by Paolo. Gary shares that &quot;One Last Time&quot; was special not just for the impressive staging or the visual and auditory elements, but also for the production process. He recalls how he and Paolo would sometimes get emotional during planning because he would openly share with his son the things he could no longer do at his age. In what feels like a then-and-now moment, he reflects on the difference between these two concerts. He says that he was only six years into his career, and people were just starting to get to know him when “Major Impact” was staged. Fast forward to “One Last Time,” and not only do people recognize his name, but they also know him on a personal level. What’s even more touching for Gary is seeing fans from the ’90s now attending his concerts with their kids. It’s a testament to how he’s maintained his connection with longtime supporters while also building a bond with the new generation—all through his music. This connection was also evident during the Grand BINIverse concert, where Gary performed alongside the new-gen girl group BINI. He was amazed to see these young artists, along with Gen Z fans in the audience, singing his songs with so much heart. It’s a surreal and humbling experience for him to see his music resonate across generations.“Sorry if I get emotional,” he says. &quot;Sino ba naman ang hindi magiging emotional after 40 years, nandiyan pa rin. So I&#x27;m really thankful,&quot; expresses the music icon, describing his journey as nothing short of “miraculous.” “I will continue, but it’s really miraculous,” he admits. At his age, with health complications starting to show, some people worry and suggest he should stop doing his high-energy acts. But Gary knows that his performances inspire people, and for that reason, he will keep going—with Divine help.<div> </div>

Looking back on his 40-year career, Gary Valenciano talks about work ethic, memorable shows, and bridging generations through music.

Looking back on his 40-year career, Gary Valenciano talks about work ethic, memorable shows, and bridging generations through music.