Gary V. shares stage with newbies

Concert review

MANILA, Philippines - Guests are understandably added in every concert to highlight certain songs or particularly augment production numbers. However, first time we witnessed this, though belatedly, in Gary V Presents, which recently staged its finale at The Theater at Solaire, guests were included in every number. And how!

From the highly upbeat opening, Shout for Joy, to the finale, a Michael Jackson medley and the encore, Galing ng Pilipino, guests never left the stage. They joined Gary Valenciano, as he rendered his memorable hits, all given new arrangements, this time mostly in duets with his guests.

Gary was also seen onstage all throughout. No costume changes. Only his distinct voice, his unbelievable energy and the performances of his guests regaled the full-house crowd. Unselfish is how you may call this concert.

Apparently, Gary did not only share a large part of himself with his audience. He also allowed new, up and coming, lesser-known, but incredibly talented artists not only to share the stage with him all throughout the concert, but also to shine and display their talents. Intermittently, the guests also shared their interesting backstory.

The stage easily mesmerized the audience with its colorful and stunning display of lights. Gary revisited songs from the past with his guests. With Timmy Pavino, Jimmy Marquez and RJ de la Fuente, he crooned Paano. With Lara Maigue, Katrina Velarde and Carla Guevarra Laforteza, he rendered How Did You Know — and the audience sang with them.

Gary and the diminutive Katrina sang a mean version of Al Jarreau’s jazz hit, Spain. “Never (really) judge a book by its cover,” Gary told the crowd as Katrina left the stage.

With Gary on keyboards, Lara belted out Sa ‘Yo Na Lang Ako, a song she wrote for the 2013 Philpop competition and interpreted by Karylle then. Lara and Gary later did a duet of the hauntingly sentimental, Kailangan Kita.

Gary rarely simmered down. He was in complete control of every number, while he’s singing, playing the keyboards, doing a duet or strutting onstage. He and his guests sang the upbeat Di Bale Na Lang.

 “Up to this day, 34 years later, I still can’t believe that I am given a chance to do things like this,” Gary told his appreciative audience.

The guy is turning 53 in August. As most everyone knows, he is diabetic, diagnosed when he was only in his teens. Yet, Gary knows he is living “overtime” and enjoying every minute of it, but vows to keep on going.

Gary’s daughter, Kiana Valenciano, obviously a chip off the old block, was part of the singing entourage. She sang and danced to one of Gary’s well-choreographed hits, What More Can I Say, with her dad.

Every time Gary sings this ballad, the audience, ironically, laughs. Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak is the theme of ABS-CBN’s top-rating primetime series, FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano, starring Coco Martin. “This is a sad song, but people laugh when they hear me sing it,” Gary said.

With folk singer-songwriter Bullet Dumas, Gary played an unusual instrument strapped to his shoulder, as they rendered Babalik Ka Rin, clearly an anthem for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Two graduates of ABS-CBN’s reality talent show, The Voice, Season 1 champion Michael “Mitoy” Yonting and finalist Janice Javier, joined the singing cast. Mitoy and Gary dished out Natutulog Pa ang Diyos, while Janice sang Hataw Na with Gary.

The Manoeuvres, led by celebrity brothers Jason and Joshua Zamora, displayed their well-vaunted terpsichorean skills in the electrically charged Look In Her Eyes, with Gary. The brothers performed with Gary 20 years ago, but they still obviously got the moves.

Two equally outstanding, inspirational numbers rendered by Gary were Could You Be Messiah from the 1989 musical, First Name, written by Freddie Santos, with music by Gary, which he performed with Jimmy and Carla; and Take Me Out of the Dark, with Tim and RJ.

Allan Silonga, a product of X Factor Philippines, opened the concert with acoustic renditions of well-loved ballads — One Hundred Ways, In Your Eyes, Heart of Mine and Love Always Finds a Way.

Gary’s son, Paolo Valenciano, directed the concert. The latter has undoubtedly made a name for himself as a first-rate concert director, having worked behind the scenes of the big shows of Sharon Cuneta and Toni Gonzaga, among others.

Celebrities in the audience the night that we watched were the love team of James Reid and Nadine Lustre, Sam Concepcion, The Voice kids including Lyca Gairanod and Sam Shoaf, jazz artist Richard Merk and his wife Roni.

Outside The Theater was a generous display of Gary V memorabilia to mark his 30th anniversary in the entertainment business — from his early CDs, trophies, concert posters even from the late ‘80s, photos and other awards. You need to arrive early to the venue to check out the exhibit.