The Millennium Man

The first National Ambassador of Goodwill of UNICEF for the country. 1999's grand-slam winner for Best Male Vocalist in both the AWIT and the KATHA Awards, bagging 16 trophies for his INTERACTIVE release including the AWIT's ALBUM OF THE YEAR. Subject-matter and co-creator of the first CD-ROM of an artist in Philippine entertainment history. A jampacked series of shows for his first attempt at theatre in "JOSEPH THE DREAMER." A successful US Tour. 1999 was certainly a good year for Gary. Performances of excellence in every venue and every province and country he has performed in. Productions that have brought pride and honor to an industry beleaguered with problems and economic setbacks.

Truly GARY V continues to reap success in every field he has chosen to pursue. His statistics are incredible. Sixteen years of stellar projects have set him apart as the top performer of the Philippines. Well-chosen events and appearances and carefully studied moves have carved out a distinguished career with over 200 awards and citations, unmatched in the country's entertainment world. As a recognized music producer and recording artist, every one of the 15 albums that he has released in the country has garnered for him countless nominations and trophies. A quarter of the 12 ALBUMS of the YEAR for the AWIT Awards belong to him. As a singer and performer, he is one of the most requested for concerts here and abroad, for specials, for anniversaries and launches in various corporate functions, and 5 of the 12 BEST MALE VOCALIST Awards belong to him. As a composer, his songs have become huge hits and have been used for commercials, movies, television theme songs, airlines' in-house music, and even in cellphone ring tones. This year alone, his compositions bagged the BEST POP RECORDING, BEST RELIGIOUS/INSPIRATIONAL RECORDING and BEST DANCE RECORDING trophies. His acting skills were seen in 11 movies and numerous tele-cines and specials, some of which were cited by the critics and given the nod by the STAR A W ARDS when he won BEST ACTOR in a single performance in the past. As a commercial endorser, he has been careful with his choice of brands and currently continues to sign contracts for sponsorship and endorsements. But more important than all these, as an avowed family man,  he has been able to withstand the pressures of the business and maintain one of the most stable marriages in the industry .

The Philippines prides itself with one of the best rosters of musical artists in the world and Gary V has certainly contributed largely to making the concert and recording world more exciting. The world welcomed the coming of a new millennium by staging lavish events shared the world over through satellite TV communications. In the Philippines, the two major networks worked feverishly to upstage each other's events. ABS-CBN Channel 2 had their sunset-to-sunrise bash at the upscale leisure area, The FORT in Fort Bonifacio. Not to be outdone, rival GMA-Channel 7 mounted their extravaganza at the countries premier financial district, setting up a lavish stage at the Ayala-Makati Avenue intersection. Both networks managed to sign up and present the country's top performance artists, and have segments of their evenings broadcast beamed overseas via separate global links. And both had to have the countries top male performer participate in their Millennium Celebrations. So Gary brought in the crowds at the Fort with his last full-length concert of the year which run from 7-to-9 PM. Performing with him were friends from the Genesis stable, Nanette Inventor, former Ms. Saigon Jamie Rivera, the Manoeuvres and the Powerplay band. Immediately after the show he rushed over to the Ayala-Makati Avenue stage to open the Ayala Millennium bash. Backed by over a hundred dancers, he kicked off with his high-energy hit number "Everybody Get Down. " That performance was, by consensus, the best delivered that night. People who were home watching these two happenings from their TV sets had the best deal of all. The pleasure of having witnessed both performances of the Millennium Artist. Mr. Gary V.

A review of the June 10 concert held in the Palais Omnisports de Paris, Bercy

Life with a Pop Superstar

By: Angeli Valenciano

     "You're so lucky!". I hear it all the time. When fans of my husband see me and comment about how "lucky" I am to be married to Gary, I just smile and nod my head. It's not about luck, you know. Having been exposed to Gary ever since I met him in 1983, I have always known that God has a special mission for him and I knew that He just put us together for some special purpose. I count myself blessed to have been chosen by the Lord to be the helpmate of Gary, and when I pray and speak to my heavenly Father, who is unseen, I never stop asking Him for strength and wisdom. You see, I am not only married to this popular Asian performer, I am also the mother of his three children, Paolo, 15, Gabriel, 11, and Kiana, 7, as well as president of Manila Genesis, his management and production company that is the home of over 35 celebrities.

     Being married to Gary is hard work and trial-filled but definitely fulfilling and a commitment. Because he is a juvenile diabetic, I live daily trusting that God will keep him whole and free from severe attacks and believe it or not, it works! This man is so humble and always raring to be by himself and away from his security, his assistants or even his driver in spite of the possibility of getting mobbed. He enjoys driving alone to his best friend's house, which is miles away from home, because he feels free and independent. Having experienced some serious diabetic attacks with Gary, I have learned that I am helpless without Jesus. I could have a nervous breakdown just thinking whether he was okay by himself by himself. But I don't! I live by faith. I actually have no choice. I want to enjoy life and constant worry would just make me age faster, so I rest in the knowledge that Gary is safe in the hands of our Lord.

     I have experienced Gary's transition from an amateur singer to an accomplished musician and performer, and I know that it has all been by God's grace and provision. Imagine Gary in 1983 tinkering with plain chords in a piano that was out of tune, not knowing how to read notes, and witnessing him in 1996 in his own home studio, producing and arranging his own compositions that win awards and become hits. He even scored a Christian movie! It's all so impossible, but not with the Master Creator in motion. Gary's artistic transformation has been an inspiration to me. And his desire for excellence and professionalism has pushed me to do the same.

     I used to dislike Yoko Ono when I was very young because she seemed so unfit to be John Lennon’s wife. But when I married Gary, I realized how she probably felt with so many fans wanting a piece of her husband and judging and condemning her. And I'm sure John must have loved her so much to defy the public and marry her anyway. Well, in my case, since I used to be a singer, too (as a member of Music and Magic, a popular showband in Manila in the early 80's) and a commercial model, I would be recognized once in a while, although I wasn't as popular as Gary is today. But I was older than Gary so I'm sure many fans were resistant to me as well. And I can tell you, it wasn't easy for me. Then, I committed the ultimate sin. I got pregnant. That was the end for me. My face was on the tabloids for days and I really wanted to die.

     But that was all of sixteen years ago. Fifteen years ago, Gary and I recommitted our lives to Jesus Christ and our life has never been the same again. I thank God that He is forgiving and merciful. He actually forgives people of their sinful past! And today, Gary and I continue to thank Him for our children, his blessed career and just for our life.

     The many miracles that God has done in our life is a testimony of God's faithfulness and love. Fans come up to me and Gary or write him and say that the song "Take Me Out of the Dark" prevented them or their brother or someone from committing suicide. There have been occasions when I have broken down and cried over a letter stating how Gary's songs have changed this young lady's life. Others have said that they were healed because of "Could You Be Messiah" whose first line, "Could you be healer?" is a plea for compassion and mercy. Backsliders have returned to God because of "Search and Know." The stories are endless. But the solution is the same.

     As I see the world today, I sadly realize that it is not the same world I lived in during my childhood. And being part of an entertainment group of companies, I see the urgent need to stop, pray and evaluate. Are Gary and I, and our company, going with the flow of the world or are we presenting alternatives? Can we actually make a difference? There is a need to seriously ponder on these things and think. Can we allow God to use us as He truly intended for us when He created us? As I see Gary's career chart, I stand amazed at how God can use people if they only allow Him to mold them. I really know that the world's solution to all our problems lies in the name above all names. Jesus Christ. He died for us and there is no need to struggle any longer, whether we are sick, discouraged, on the brink of a divorce or whatever! He has changed, continues to change and will definitely change me into a better me. And this excites me.

     As I close, I just pose this challenge to the reader. Look at the world. It's dying, isn't it? Let us focus on the giver of life and the only solution to our innermost problems. And I am positive that your life will never be the same again. It happened to Gary and me. It certainly can happen to you.