Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano admitted that he went through a post traumatic depression for a few weeks after his open heart surgery and successful battle against kidney cancer last year. But because of a strong support system, he’s able to overcome the feeling that he wasn’t able to function the way he used to.
“I went through that for weeks or even months. But what’s good about it, it comes and then it goes, at least in my case. I have my wife who is extremely patient and my doctors know exactly what’s going on so there’s no need to panic, and I have friends who support me. I’m okay now,” he told the press in a press conference held recently.
To prove that he’s in better shape, he said that his doctors wanted him to push his limits so his heart could pump the way it used to. In fact, during the same event, Gary V rendered a 10-minute number, singing and dancing to some of his iconic songs and even encouraged the members of the press to join him in an impromptu mini show.
The number was actually a glimpse of what people can expect from his international shows.Gary V is opening the second quarter of 2019 with his grand comeback to the international concert scene via his upcoming and highly anticipated North American tour, which is set to happen this April, celebrating his 35th anniversary.
With award-winning musician Mon Faustino as musical director and with special guests Fearless Diva Jona and Suklay Diva Katrina Velarde, it should be noted that this is Gary’s very first international concert series since his health situation.
Now that Gary is in tiptop condition and doctors have officially given him a clean bill of health, Gary is set to conquer the United States once again in this series which is simply titled He’s Back: Gary V US Tour.
The first leg of the tour happens on April 12 in Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas then it will be followed by shows in The Town Hall in New York City on April 14; Creative Arts Building Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, California on April 20; Saban Theater in Los Angeles on April 21; Snoqualmie Casino in Seattle on April 26; and culminating in Morongo Casino, Resort, and Spa in Morongo on April 28.
“I’m very excited to go back to the US and perform for everyone there,” said an ecstatic Gary V. “I will have two very talented young divas with me and I’m hoping that the people in the States will have fun and fall in love with the show that we have prepared for them.”
Meanwhile, it’s still an all-systems-go for Gary on TV, social media, and recording with his numerous projects here in the Philippines.
Gary is seen regularly on ASAP Natin ‘To where he performs with both OPM Icons and some of today’s newest hottest young artists. He is also on It’s Showtime twice a week as Punong Hurado of its top-rating segment Tawag Ng Tanghalan. On weekends, Gary is functioning as one of the judges of World Of Dance (WOD) alongside Maja Salvador and Billy Crawford. Hosted by Luis Manzano and Pia Wurtzbach, WOD is now down to its climactic last week before the show announces its grand winner.
On social media, with a collective following of almost 5 million on such platforms as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, a delicious sampling of precious footage of Gary’s most iconic and legendary performances as culled from his previous sold-out and critically acclaimed concerts have been a favorite trending topic amongst netizens – from his unforgettable “Shout For Joy” performance in his 1992-93 four-night concert Shout at Araneta Coliseum to “Get Down” from his two-night concert Radical in 2000 to “Sa Yahweh Ang Sayaw” from Arise 3.0 in 2014 and 2015 to “Babalik Ka Rin” from his four-night concert Move in 1994 to 95 to the iconic medley of his compositions “Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin,” “Mahal Na Mahal Ko Siya,” and “Di Bale Na Lang” also from his concert series Shout.
In the field of recording Gary continues to promote his advocacy album Awit At Laro, which assembles over a hundred local musical and visual artists to promote homegrown Filipino children’s games and songs in partnership with UNICEF, Tukod Foundation, Museo Pambata and Shining Light Foundation. Some artists who lent their talents to the endeavor were Lea Salonga, Ogie Alcasid, Gab and Kiana Valenciano, Billy Crawford, Bamboo, Jonathan Manalo, Yeng Constantino, Morissette Amon, Jona, KZ Tandingan, Darren Espanto, Anne Curtis, Sam Concepcion, Jungee Marcelo, Ebe Dancel, the TNT Boys, Marcus Davis Jr, Chris Lopez, Thyro, Noel Cabangon, Gloc 9, Julie Ann San Jose, Lara Maigue, Katrina Velarde, Mel Villena and Ryan Cayabyab – all of whom donated their royalties to the cause. Gary recorded two brand new songs namely “Saranggola” and “Bawa’t Isa Sa Atin” for the project.
Gary is also con-currently visiting 35 schools in Luzon to mark his anniversary in the business in a series called Face2Face where he gives free inspirational talks and an intimate mini concert to graduating college students. “I wish to impart something inspiring and positive to the students who are about to enter a new chapter in their lives after they graduate from college,” said Gary who explained that his career started in the early 80s by being invited to perform in school events and university fairs.
Before he left for the USA, in gratitude to all those who supported him during his crisis, he visited Ayala Trinoma to do a fans day at the ABS-CBN Studio Experience on April 5.
He’s Back: Gary V US Tour is a joint production of Manila Genesis and Starmedia Entertainment in cooperation with TFC and ABS-CBN. For more exciting news and updates on Gary V, follow him on Twitter (@GaryValenciano1), Instagram (@garyvalenciano), like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook, subscribe to Gary Valenciano on YouTube, and visit wwwgaryv.com.
