For the very first time in over a decade, Gary Valenciano returns to the Valentine concert scene in a big band dinner-concert fundraiser titled Love In Motion on Feb. 14 and 15 at the grand ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, The Fort.
With an awe-inspiring career that spans over three decades and with his artistry and genius cutting through changing musical climes and trends, it is easy to presume that there is nothing that Gary has not done yet.
Gary has waxed top selling and award-winning albums, written popular hits, serenaded fans with unforgettable ballads and won the Awit Award Best Male Performer trophy twelve times. If these credentials aren’t enough to merit him the status of musical icon, you can start counting the number of times Gary lent his voice to sing the theme songs for ABS-CBN soap operas and Star Cinema, Regal Films, Viva Films and Seiko Films movies.
Gary has also been receiving numerous offers during the Valentine show season but the last solo Valentine show that he did was actually more than a decade ago and for this season he decided to mount a fundraiser specifically targeted for the victims of Typhoon Nina. A Bicolano, Gary last visited the region with UNICEF during the Typhoon Reming aftermath.
One of Gary V.’s proudest moments as a celebrity philanthropist was in 1998 when he became UNICEF Philippines’ first National Ambassador. In 2008, he marked his tenth year as a UNICEF Ambassador with a visit to Sitio Avocado, a former war zone in Negros Oriental. All proceeds of Gary V Love In Motion will go to the Shining Light Foundation, Inc., Operation Blessing Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of victims of the recent Typhoon Nina and UNICEF for special causes of children.
But fans and admirers of the human dynamo that Gary is will be expecting a Valentine treat like no other. He is not known as Mr. Pure Energy if it weren’t for his impeccable knack for unleashing energy, creating the groove, and providing rhythm to his original songs and to covers as well.
Some might ask, “Why perform with a big band?”
Gary Valenciano, by himself, is enough to entice concertgoers to troop to his show. It is because Gary is a performer who believes in collaboration. He is as generous with his talents and gifts as he is adventurous, always wanting to embark on a new challenge. In a few words, Gary is one who never rests on his laurels.
In Gary V Love In Motion, expect a love-filled, fun, dance-inducing time as Gary performs with the 19-piece AMP Band. Chill on the big band vibe with a twist that only the complete artist that Gary Valenciano is can provide. “I am excited for this two-night show,” says Gary. “It’s my first time to perform with a big band and I am looking forward to surprising the audience and being surprised as well with the kind of show we will come up with.”
To the uninitiated, big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section.
During the war years, big band music lifted people’s spirit. That feeling of being overwhelmed while knowing that you are witnessing a wonderful and dynamic show with a heart is what awaits longtime Gary V believers. “We have also asked Anna Fegi who has just undergone a major trial to join us in this cause. She lost her baby on her ninth month last November and we want her to bounce back as we want Bicol, Marinduque and the rest of the Philippines that suffered from the typhoon to bounce back,” stated concert producer Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano who is mounting the event with her Manila Genesis team.
Musical director for Gary V Love In Motion is Mel Villena, vocal music director is Mon Faustino while stage direction is by Paolo Valenciano.
For more information follow @GaryValenciano1 (Twitter) and @therealgaryv (Instagram) and like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook. For inquiries or table reservations, please call (+63917) 539 9584.
