Andrew E looks back on humble beginnings

Gary Valenciano hopes to inspire others not only thru his music but by sharing his faith.

“It will help if others are there for them,” says Gary in an online interview with Senator Joel “Tesdaman” Villanueva for the 10th episode of “AksyonTime,” which aired on A2Z Channel 11 over the weekend.

The multi-awarded singer-actor hopes to inspire as he himself has been blessed and inspired. He hopes to “plant good seeds on good soil because in time that person that I spoke to may produce good fruit as well.”

Gary’s inspiring music and words have touched many, including Joel who looks up to him for advice. He expressed gratitude to Gary for being there for his family during their “darkest moments”. In March last year, Joel lost his mother Adoracion “Sister Dory” Jose Villanueva. His sister, former Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna, died two months after.

Gary’s journey of faith began when one man who was seated beside him on a plane spoke to him about the word of God.

“I was in tears because I was going through a dark moment in my life, and I was on my way to some province because I was going to stand together with other people who believed in this man. And that one man that people believed in was the man that sat beside me and talked to me. I opened up to him about the struggles in my life, and he spoke into my life, and that man was your father (Bro. Eddie Villanueva),” he shared.

Gary humbly believes he isn’t worthy of all his blessings. “I’m not a perfect Christian. Ika ‘nga we are all Christians under construction. There’s still a lot of things I need to fix in myself. And yet He has chosen me. Why? I don’t know. It’s only because God has been good. And He will be that way yesterday, today, and forever.”

During this pandemic, Gary revealed that he too experienced many challenges.

“Minsan nahihirapan din ako. Minsan hindi ko rin alam kung kelan ko makikita ang pamilya ko ulit abroad. Minsan pag alis ko when I go and work hindi ko rin alam kung ano ba, is it my day today to get Covid-19? And if I get it, will I survive?”

He added that the closure of ABS-CBN compounded his apprehensions.

“Medyo grabe din yung effect sa akin dahil isinara pa yung ABS-CBN last year. We’re happy that with A2Z (Channel 11) now we’re all in this together, first time in history.”

Despite this, Gary reminds everyone to keep the faith steady because “even if the situation does not get better tomorrow, the next months or even the next year the Lord that we have goes over that.”

“AksyonTime” marks the return of Villanueva on television after years of hiatus in hosting a public affairs show. The senator previously produced and hosted the multi-awarded public affairs program “Adyenda,” which tackled current issues and concerns.

“AksyonTime” airs Saturdays at 10:15 pm on A2Z Channel 11.

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Rapper-turned-comedian Andrew E will never forget his humble beginnings before he became famous under Viva Films.

He was a rapper at Euphoria Disco when Viva gambled on him by giving him a break to be the lead of the comedy film “Humanap Ka ng Panget” released in 1990. His entry in films was very successful, as he became a box-office wonder, with a string of hits under his name. He even got the chance to work with Maricel Soriano (“Manchichirit”) and Sharon Cuneta (“MegaMol”).

Even if he became successful, Andrew E said he will never forget the support given to him by the press.

“I owe the press a debt of gratitude and I am forever grateful to them. They were the ones who helped me when I was on my way up the ladder of success. I know that if ever my popularity waned, they will be the same people I will meet on my way down. I will never forget the support they gave an unknown Andrew E. Ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa mga nakatulong sa akin is one lesson learned that I will forever treasure,” he said.

Andrew E is thankful that most of the press people he met as an upstart are still very much around to support his latest comedy film “Shoot Shoot: Di Ko Siya Titigilan” that will stream on Vivamax starting Oct. 8.