Gary V offered to star in int’l musical

Gary Valenciano isn't just "Mr. Pure Energy" for nothing. Aside from his high-spirited onstage performances, he deserves such a title because he seems not to run out of energy when it comes to exploring channels to his creativity. 

In a brief chat last Tuesday at Teatro Casino Filipino at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug, he revealed some very exciting plans as far as what's going to happen during his 25th year in the country's entertainment biz is concerned. Imagine, Gary V is in the business for more than two decades now, and to have achieved staying power and iconic status is no empty feat in an industry known for its short attention span. And Gary is gratefully aware of his enviable position, but he is not one to rest on his laurels either. "It feels very good to be in a stage where I'm free to do anything, artistic-wise," said Gary V. "But while I feel that I've done much for the industry, I'm not done yet."

And so on his 25th year this 2008, he will mark this milestone come November with a major concert that he hopes to bring to Cebu as well. He looks forward to some collaborative projects with younger artists like Christian Bautista. But the biggest news of all is that he is taking up the offer to star in a Singapore-based original musical production sometime mid-2008. While other details are still under wraps, and the only info that Gary, whose theater experiences include "Oliver" when he was 11, and later on, "Joseph the Dreamer," was willing to give was that 80s American pop star Debbie Gibson was also tapped to be part of the cast. After staging 18 performances at the Esplanade of Singapore, considered as a major entertainment hub in the whole of Asia, the production will travel to other parts of the world.

Gary also clarified his supposed plan to move to the US last year, which was first reported by the Cebu media, but picked up in the national news and consequently, brewed a controversy. Gary said that yes, he was indeed planning to go to the US last year, and in fact,  plans to do so as the offer is still standing. For the meantime, his main concentration is the upcoming Singapore international production. He admitted to some resistance on his part to take on the US offer, especially after he did a concert in Cebu last year, wherein the overwhelming reception of the audience so touched him, practically leaving him weeping afterwards in his hotel room.

Tonight, Gary V will perform anew here in Cebu at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. This is presented by Manna Entertainment Productions, Inc. and GV Productions, Inc. in cooperation with Manila Genesis Entertainment and Phil Media. Proceeds of the show will benefit the Shining Light Foundation. 

I've never been the least disappointed by the Gary V concerts I've so far been to. His equally talented sons, Paolo and Gab, will lend support tonight to their proud father as special guests. The concert—Gary V’s first-ever V-day concert here—will be the virtual kick-off of his year-long Silver Anniversary celeb, according to one of the organizers Steve Alfafara.

Gary will render a repertoire that will run the gamut of some of his most popular hits, most romantic love ballads and inspirational paeans to his deep love for God and family, plus some meaningful numbers from his soon-to-be-released Silver Anniversary CD entitled “Rebirth.”

Indeed, what better way to be inspired but to be serenaded with songs inspired by love.

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Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort & Spa recently invited the media to a sumptuous Chinese New Year-themed lunch prepared by Chef Kenny Yong at the Tea of Spring Restaurant. Feng shui consultant to celebrities (and owner of World of Feng Shui boutiques in the Philippines) Maritess Allen, who is by the way a Cebuana who studied at the University of San Jose Recoletos, offered some insights on what lies ahead for the year of the rat.

She said that Marian Rivera, who practically exploded into our consciousness via "Marimar" beginning last year, was born in the year of the rat, and according to Allen, things will continously swing for the better for the young actress based on the feng shui chart.

Interestingly, she said, 2008 will pose challenging times for our political scene as well as the media, fashion and entertainment industries, and for those who were born in the year of the monkey like yours truly, she cautions, not to engage in gossiping. This prompted the media covering the entertainment beat to react in jest (unwittingly in my behalf), "What about our careers?!"

Well... This goes to say, here's to a very wholesome year ahead. 

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I've just read this statement by screenwriter Mel del Rosario on the entertainment web portal Pep.ph as answer to the question if Lino Cayetano and Bianca Gonzalez had gotten back together. The two recently met up in Singapore, which courted all sorts of (mis) interpretations, especially as the young director just broke up with KC Concepcion. Del Rosario, a very close friend of Lino, said in the Pep.ph news entry: "Sabi ni Lino, hindi raw. But they can analyze na lang. Si KC sinundan ni Lino sa Paris. Samantalang si Lino naman ang sinundan ni Bianca sa Singapore."

I sought out the "Entertainment Live" host's reaction to the implication of this statement. And typical of Bianca, who has successfully deflected controversies that have been thrown her way, she just shrugged it off with this reply: "Hi Nathalie, thank you for taking time out to message me about it pa! Whatever negative things people choose to say, malulungkot ka na lang about it alone, but after that, I've really found that returning positivity back to them is the best way to handle it."

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