Gary V. Not just a star, he's also a fan

Gary Valenciano is a music icon who is adored by many music lovers both here and abroad. But even Gary has an idol of his own; there's one person whom he has long been dying to meet and up to this time, he's still hopeful that he could meet him face-to-face. And that person is no less than basketball hero Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls.

The singer says he's also a fan, just like the rest of us. That's why whenever he signs autographs in CDs or photos, he takes time to think of what words to write down. "If I am in that position and I meet my favorite artist, of course, I'd love to hear the artist say 'What's your name?' 'Where are you from?' If Michael Jordan does that to me, wala na. I wouldn't know what to say," said Gary in an interview at Lamesa Grill on Tuesday night at Trinoma Mall.

"I'd like to tell him that your determination, your absolute commitment to winning is what has inspired me so much. Lalo na 'yung game niya, na may diarrhea siya. 'Yun talagang naglalaro siya tapos at halftime he was vomiting because he wasn't feeling well, tapos nanalo sila, niyakap talaga sila ng coach niya because of what he did to make them win. I mean, to others, that may not mean so much, but to me, ang galing talaga nun."

Gary used to collect anything that has a connection to Michael Jordan-from his very first basketball card which, according to him, is still in mint condition (now it would probably cost $4000 to $5000), to Chicago Bull caps (during all of their championship years), to t-shirts, jackets, and posters. He was even able to watch one game but he didn't get the chance to meet him.

The closest he got into meeting Michael Jordan was through his back-up singer named Barbara Weathers, the original singer of the song "Always." She was a good friend of Michael Jordan's wife. One time, while on tour, Barbara called up her friend and asked if they could watch Gary's concert. "I was stunned that my back-up singer was actually talking to Michael's wife," Gary related.

But it was the finals of the NBA season that time and Michael was on tour and couldn't possibly watch Gary's concert.

Speaking of concerts, Gary had just come back from a highly-successful concert tour in Europe that earned him overwhelming responses from his audience in Belfast, Vienna, and London. He brings with him the adulation from his fans who are one in saying that each Gary V concert they attend proves to be an unforgettable experience for them.

"We've never seen anything like it. Gary V. is truly world class and a performer who is all alone in his league," messages like this about the show, which also featured Gary's sons Paolo and Gabriel, have been posted in Internet boards.

Gary V is one of the rare Filipino artists who never fail to make this country proud every time he performs elsewhere in the world. The singer dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy will be marking a milestone this year as he celebrates his 25th year in the business via a two-night concert event on November 14 and 15 at the Araneta Coliseum dubbed "Gary V: Live at 25," which is already touted to be the ultimate concert to cap all anniversary showdowns this year.

Tickets, priced at P3,000, P2,500, P1,500, P750, P350, and P150, are already available online on Ticketnet. You may call Ticketnet at 911-5555 and Manila Genesis at 7214405 local 201.

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Tall, dark and ruggedly handsome, John Lopez easily stands out in a crowd. Hence it's no wonder why he's an early favorite among the remaining castaways vying for the First Pinoy Sole Survivor title in GMA 7's newest, most exciting reality show, "Survivor Philippines Season 1."

Actually, this 5'11" brown Adonis has been in the limelight for quite some time now having been a commercial and ramp model for several corporate accounts. His commercial ads include Smart Communications, Metrobank Femme Visa and Credit Cards, Del Monte Fit and Right, Yamaha Motorcycles, Ayala Land and Folded and Hung.

John has also graced prestigious fashion shows among them: Metrowear Series/Metro Him, Bench, Philippine Fashion Week, among others. He has also been featured in several fashion editorials-Philippine Star, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, where he was chosen as Hunk of the Month for November 2007, and Chalk for its Boys of Summer 2007. He was also last year's 1st runner-up in the Mossimo Bikini Summit tilt.

Apart from modeling, John is very much into sports. He's an avid car enthusiast having participated in car shows and is part of the Dragon Team Pilipinas. He also dabbles in outdoor activities such as photography, martial arts, music and basketball.

Despite his impressive credentials, John hates to rest on his laurels. He loves adventure and the thrill of facing new challenges hence he decided to join in "Survivor Philippines." The P3M grand prize for the Pinoy Sole Survivor is an exciting come-on but for John, having passed the audition and being in the show this far, not to mention the new experience and the friendship he has developed with the rest of the castaways, is rewarding enough.

With his oozing sex appeal and good looks, it couldn't be denied that John is indeed star material. Who knows, his entry in "Survivor Philippines" could launch him to a colorful career in show business, another world which this risk-taker would like to conquer.