Gary Valenciano

Gary Valenciano
Valenciano performing in Toronto in 2014
Born
Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano

(1964-08-06) August 6, 1964 (age 59)
Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • dancer
  • record producer
  • actor
  • television host
  • reality show judge
Spouse
Angeli Pangilinan
(m. 1984)
Children3, including Gabriel and Kiana
RelativesFrancis Pangilinan (brother-in-law)
Leo Martinez (brother-in-law)
Sharon Cuneta (co-sister-in-law)
Maricel Laxa (co-sister-in-law)
Chito Miranda (nephew)
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • drums
  • percussion
Years active1982–present
Labels
Websitewww.garyv.com

Edgardo Jose "Gary" Santiago Valenciano (born August 6, 1964) is a Filipino singer and television personality. Known for his musical versatility and performances, he is a recipient of various accolades, including 12 Awit Awards, 3 FAMAS Awards and the Myx Magna Award.[1]

Valenciano began his career in 1984 with the release of his self-titled debut album. In the succeeding years, he has ventured on screen, with appearances on several films and television shows. He has performed alongside artists such as Brian McKnight, George Duke, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Shapiro, Ricky Martin, Cliff Richard, Leon Patilo, Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patti, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Kool & the Gang.[2] Outside of music, Valenciano's philanthropy is focused on hope, faith, and positive change; having been appointed as the first UNICEF National Ambassador for 25 years.[3]

Valenciano was chosen by the Doha Asian Games Olympic Committee as the official interpreter of the anthem titled 'Heart of the Games' at the 15th Asian Games in Qatar.[4] He was also invited as one of the performers at the 23rd Asian Television Awards in Malaysia.[5] He is currently part of ABS-CBN's contract artists and one of the mainstay hosts of ASAP.

Early life and education[edit]

Gary Valenciano was born Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano in the Santa Mesa district of the City of Manila on August 6, 1964. He is the sixth of the seven children of Vicente Calacas Valenciano, a Bicolano from Camalig, Albay, and Grimilda Santiago y Olmo (1934–2019) from Arecibo, Puerto Rico.[6] His parents met in New York City, married, and settled in Manila.[7] His mother is a Puerto Rican of Italian descent[8][9] who sang opera in Manila during the 1960s. Valenciano attended primary and secondary school in La Salle Green Hills.

Career[edit]

In 1978, at 14 years old, Valenciano made his first television appearance in an advertisement for Fress Gusto, a now-discontinued soft drink sold by San Miguel Corporation.[10][11]

He started as a choir singer, then launched his career in singing and show business on May 13, 1983.[12] He first appeared as a solo artist in 1982 in the television programme The Pilita and Jackie Show, and later in Germspesyal and Penthouse Live.

He had his first solo concert in April 1984 at the Araneta Coliseum, followed by a number of albums. Three of his albums were released internationally, including the Christian-inspired album Out of the Dark. He won the Awit Award twelve times in the "Best Male Recording" category alone.[13] He has been called "Mr. Pure Energy" due to his high energy dance performances in concerts.[8]

As an actor, he won the "Best Single Performance by an Actor" trophy when he performed in a drama television movie for GMA Network in the '90s. He has appeared in 14 full-length films as the lead actor for some of the top movie companies like Viva Films, Regal Films, Seiko Films, and Star Cinema, with leading ladies like Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Lorna Tolentino, Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Gretchen Barretto, Princess Punzalan, and Ms. Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.[citation needed]

As an inspirational artist, he recorded a number of Christian albums and was chosen to do a music video for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) for a song he co-wrote, "Could You Be Messiah," in 1994. He was then tapped for Global Mission in Puerto Rico in 1994 where he performed with Michael W. Smith and Steve Green. BGEA tapped him as well as in Amsterdam 2000 where he performed for over 10,500 evangelists. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Christian Broadcasting Network, producers of The 700 Club. He performed at the 50th anniversary of CBN in Virginia Beach and has guested on The 700 Club USA many times.[citation needed]

As a performing artist, he was called the "Michael Jackson of the Philippines" in the '80s and '90s, and continues to hold concerts all over the world. He has sold-out venues and theatres in the Philippines and all over the world, performing in venues like the Shrine Auditorium and Microsoft Theater in California, the Roy Thompson Hall in Canada, the Budokhan Hall in Japan, the Navy Pier in Chicago, and the Sydney Entertainment Center and Hillsong Auditorium in Australia. He has performed all over the world, including in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Oman, Qatar, France, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Amsterdam.[citation needed]

In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines' first National Ambassador. In 2006, the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee has named Gary Valenciano the official performer of the Asian Games' theme song, "Side By Side".[14] In 2008, he marked his tenth year as a UNICEF Ambassador with a visit to Sitio Avocado, a former war zone in Negros Oriental.

Valenciano returned to acting in 2008 by appearing in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, where he portrayed a prisoner who finds religion and becomes a born again Christian. That same year, he was nominated for "Best Single Performance by an Actor" in the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV.[15]

In 2009, Valenciano released a collaborative album with Martin Nievera called As 1, with the carrier single of the same title.[16]

In 2010, Valenciano was in a Holy Week drama special, Gulong ("Wheel"), a CBN Asia production shown on GMA.[citation needed]

For his 25th anniversary in 2008, STAR RECORDS, the music arm of ABS-CBN, released GV 25, a compilation of songs he composed and recorded sung by music stars of the Philippines like Sharon Cuneta, Rachel Ann Go, Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Jed Madela, Erik Santos, and Christian Bautista.[17]

For his 30th anniversary in 2013, his concert ARISE, which was originally staged at the Araneta Coliseum for two nights and restaged at the MOA ARENA to a jam-packed audience, won as PMPC's Best Concert of the Year. His album With You won the Best Inspirational Album for the same year at the Catholic Mass Media Awards.[18]

Philanthropy[edit]

Valenciano formed the Shining Light Foundation in 1989, focusing on supporting diabetics and a scholarship program that has produced many multi-awarded scholars and students.[citation needed]

Personal life[edit]

Valenciano married Maria Anna Elizabeth "Angeli" Pangilinan, the sister of former senator Francis Pangilinan, on August 6, 1984. Together, they have three children: Paolo Valenciano, a director and the vocalist of the band Salamin; Gabriel Valenciano, a singer, keyboardist, dancer, and director; and Kiana Valenciano, a model and singer-songwriter. The family resides in Antipolo.[19]

He is currently living with type 1 diabetes, and has been an endorser for several wellness products related to the condition.[20] In May 2018, Valenciano started feeling ill after a performance with his son Gabriel for the celebration of his 35th anniversary in showbiz in ABS-CBN's top-rating Sunday afternoon show, ASAP, and had to undergo open heart surgery due to blockage of his left anterior descending artery caused by his diabetes. The procedure was successfully performed on May 6, 2018,[21] and he was released from the hospital by May 12.[22]

On April 17, 2019, Valenciano's mother died in Orlando, Florida, after battling pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and H1N1 flu.[23]

Discography[edit]

Filmography[edit]

Movies[edit]

Year Film Role Studio Notes Source
1984 Hotshots Mike Viva Films Valenciano's first movie appearance [24]
1986 Horsey-horsey: Tigidig-tigidig Tommy Regal Films [citation needed]
Payaso Sialina Film Enterprises cameo appearance [25]
1987 Di bale na lang Nelson Seiko Films [26]
Maria Went to Town Fernando Regal Films [citation needed]
1988 Ibulong mo sa Diyos[27] Gilbert [citation needed]
Rock-a-Bye Baby Mike Seiko Films [citation needed]
Natutulog Pa Ang Diyos Mark Vilchez [citation needed]
1990 Kung Tapos na ang Kailanman Jeric Israel [28]
Papa's Girl Raffy Regal Films [29]
1991 Kaputol Ng Isang Awit Johnny Abrigo Viva Films [29]
1995 Hataw na Robbie Mohica Star Cinema [30]
1996 SPO1 Don Juan: Da Dancing Policeman Bicycle Cop Neo Films [31]
2005 Gary V: Music Video Collection Himself Valenciano's music video collection [citation needed]
2007 The Bicycle (Gulong) Tito Lito Cinemalaya [citation needed]
2011 Subject: I Love You Choy Radiant Studios Based on the "I Love You" computer virus of 2000 [citation needed]
2012 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! Nick Fuentebella Unitel Pictures and Studio 5 Won Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) [citation needed]

Television[edit]

Year TV program Role Notes Network
1988, 1990, 1992 Ryan Ryan Musikahan Himself Guest Performer ABS-CBN
1995 CBN Asia Holy Week Special GMA Network
1997–2003 SOP Himself Main host/performer
2001–2002 Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin Ricky Lopez cameo appearance
2003–present ASAP Himself Main host/performer ABS-CBN / Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5
2006 Sa Ngalan Ng Anak: A CBN Asia Holy Week Special GMA Network
2007 Maalaala Mo Kaya Alex Ramos "Bag" episode ABS-CBN
2009 May Bukas Pa Guest
2010 The X Factor Philippines Judge
2010–present It's Showtime Himself Magpasikat 2010 Head Judge

TNT 1-6 Head Judge Magpasikat 2021 Head Judge

2010 Gulong: A CBN Asia Holy Week Special GMA Network
Twist and Shout Himself Host ABS-CBN
2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Guest / Wedding singer
2012 Walang Hanggan
2013 The Voice of the Philippines trust adviser of Sarah Geronimo
2015 Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1 Jury
Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2
2017 Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids Season 1
FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Guest / Wedding Singer
2018 Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids Season 2 Jury
2019 World of Dance Philippines Judge
2021 Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 3 Jury Kapamilya Channel / A2Z
2022 Idol Philippines (season 2) Judge Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5

Awards and nominations[edit]

Music[edit]

Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
1996 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Total Entertainer of the Year Won
1998 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Best Male Singer Won
2002 MTV Pilipinas Music Award Favorite Male Video "Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile" Won[32]
2003 Aliw Awards Best Male Concert Performer "XXTREME" Won[33]
2004 17th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Duet "Sana Maulit Muli"(with Kyla) Won
2006 19th Aliw Awards Best Male Performer in a Major Concert "Thankful" Won[34]
Entertainer of the Year Won
Hall of Fame Won
2007 20th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "In Another Lifetime" Won[35]
MYX Music Awards Favorite Male Artist Nominated[36]
Favorite Mellow Video "You Give Me Reason" Nominated[36]
2008 21st Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (Performance Award) "Sana Maulit Muli" Won
Best Performance by a Duet "Hard Habit To Break" with Jed Madela Won
Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (People's Choice Award) "Sana Maulit Muli" Nominated
2009 22nd Awit Awards Best Ballad Recording "When I Hear You Call" Won
Best Collaboration "Letting Go" with Powerplay feat. Mon Faustino Won
Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "When I Hear You Call" Nominated
Best Dance Recording "Shout For Joy Gabriel Valenciano Mix)" Nominated
Best Inspirational/Religious Recording "When I Hear You Call" Nominated
Best Musical Arrangement "When I Hear You Call" Nominated
Music Video of the Year "When I Hear You Call" Nominated
GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Male Concert Performer of the Year "Gary Live@25" Won[37]
2010 23rd Awit Awards Best Ballad Recording "Tayong Dalawa" Won[38]
Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "How Can I" Nominated
Best Collaboration "As 1" with Martin Nievera Nominated
Album of the Year "As 1" with Martin Nievera Nominated
Best Rock/Alternative Recording "AYT" with Sponge Cola Nominated
GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Male Recording Artist of the Year Won[39]
2011 24th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "Did It Ever" & "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo" Nominated
Best Ballad Recording Artist "Kung Tayo' Magkakalayo" Nominated
Best Christmas Recording "Ngayong Pasko Magniningning ang Pilipino" with Toni Gonzaga & University of Santo Tomas Singers Nominated
2012 25th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" Nominated
2013 26th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" Won
Best Ballad Recording "Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" Won
Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "In Your Eyes" Nominated[40]
2014 6th PMPC Star Awards For Music Male Recording Artist of the Year Won[41]
Concert of the Year Arise 3.0 Won[41]
2015 46th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Male Concert Performer of the Year Arise 3.0 Won[42]
28th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "Saytay," "Kapalaran" Nominated[43]
Album of the Year "With You" Nominated[43]
Best Inspirational/Religious Recording "Ipagpatuloy Mo, Galing ng Pilipino" Won[43]
Best Dance Recording, Best Inspirational/Religious Recording "Saytay" Nominated[43]
Best Song Written For Movie/TV/Stage Play "Ipagpatuloy Mo, Galing ng Pilipino" Won[43]
2016 8th PMPC Star Awards for Music Concert of the Year "Gary V. Presents" Nominated[44]
Compilation Album of the Year "GOLD" Won
2017 8th Eduk Circle Awards Most Influential Concert Performer "Love in Motion" Won
Best Male Music Artist "Wag Ka Nang Umiyak" Nominated
2018 9th PMPC Star Awards For Music Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement Award (His overall contribution to OPM) Won
Best Album Design Cover of the Year "Gary V. @ Primetime" Won
Compilation Album of the Year "Gary V. @ Primetime" Nominated
Concert of the Year "Love in Motion" Nominated
2019 10th PMPC Star Awards For Music Male Recording Artist of the Year "Ililigtas Ka Niya" Nominated[45]

Film and television[edit]

FAMAS[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1988 Ibulong mo sa Diyos Best Theme Song Won
1995 Sana Maulit Muli Best Theme Song Won
2000 Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award Won
2006 "Ikaw Lamang" for the movie Dubai Best Theme Song Won[46]

Golden Screen TV Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Ikaw Lamang Best Theme Song Won[46]
2011 ASAP Rocks Outstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety Program Nominated[47]
2013 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Musical or Comedy Nominated

Other accolades[edit]

  • First artist in the world to have a Sennheiser Special Edition microphone named after him – Sennheiser Evolution Series 2001[48]
  • First and current UNICEF National Ambassador of Goodwill in the Philippines, 1998–present

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MYX confers the Magna Award to Gary Valenciano". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Brian McKnight excited to see Gary, Regine again | ABS-CBN News". August 6, 2023. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Gary V and Anne Curtis renew contract with UNICEF Philippines". www.unicef.org. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "Gary Valenciano to sing Asian Games anthem". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Galvez, Daphne (January 10, 2019). "LOOK: Gary V flies to Malaysia for 23rd Asian TV Awards". Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984 Image Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984; ark:/61903/3:1:939F-VPSH-YS — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  7. ^ bulletin.gif[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ a b PEP.ph. "Gary V: Live at 25! | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  9. ^ "Gary Valenciano: A Winning Lifestyle". Cbn.com. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  10. ^ "Fress Gusto Classic Philipine TVC 1975 (with Gary V)". July 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2012 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Video 48 (July 5, 2009). "Video 48: GARY V.'S "FRESS GUSTO" Circa 1978". Video48.blogspot.com. Retrieved March 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Gary V unleashing pure energy in Araneta". ABS-CBN News. October 19, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  13. ^ garyv. "About Us". Gary V. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Candice Lim (November 30, 2006). "Gary Valenciano to sing Asian Games anthem".
  15. ^ "PMPC bares nominees for "22nd Star Awards for Television"". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano's As 1 album certified Gold". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  17. ^ ""Gary V: Live at 25" opens vigorously with inspirational and romantic repertoire". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  18. ^ "Gary V in one-night concert in Palawan". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "Gary V biking from Antipolo to Calatagan is the most inspiring thing you'll see today". ABS-CBN News Channel. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  20. ^ Gary Valenciano currently living with diabetes.
  21. ^ "Gary Valenciano undergoes heart surgery". Panay News. May 8, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  22. ^ Cepeda, Cody (May 14, 2018). "Gary V finally released from hospital after open heart surgery". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  23. ^ "Gary Valenciano's mother passes away". ABS-CBN Corporation. April 18, 2019. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020.
  24. ^ 80's Pinas (December 26, 2009). "80's Pinas: Hotshots 1984". 80spinas.blogspot.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ by @florencioviray (January 31, 2013). "Filmography: Payaso (1986)". Star For All Seasons. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  26. ^ "Di Bale Na Lang | Tagalog Movies by". Kabayancentral.com. December 28, 1998. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  27. ^ by @florencioviray (November 16, 2009). "Filmography: Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988)". Star For All Seasons. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  28. ^ "Kung tapos na ang kailanman – Theiapolis". Cinema.theiapolis.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  29. ^ a b "Papa's Girl – Theiapolis". Cinema.theiapolis.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  30. ^ "'Hataw Na' Movie Stills". starcinema.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  31. ^ "SPO1 Don Juan: Da Dancing Policeman, comedy movie". All-films.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  32. ^ "MTV PHILS ANNOUNCES 'MTV PILIPINAS 2002' TO HONOR BEST IN VIDEO-MAKING". Newsflash.org. May 6, 2002. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  33. ^ "A heartfelt thank you from Gary V | Entertainment, News, The Philippine Star". The Philippine Star. November 28, 2003. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  34. ^ "19th Aliw Awards (31Aug06) - SarahGeronimo.com Forums". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  35. ^ "Kamikazee wins five Awit Awards". August 10, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  36. ^ a b Baby A. Gil (February 5, 2007). "A MYX Magna for Apo nominees". PhilStar. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  37. ^ "40th Box Office Entertainment Awards given out". Pep.ph. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  38. ^ "Myx | Your Choice. Your Music". Myxph.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  39. ^ "ABS-CBN big winner at GMMSF Entertainment Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  40. ^ "Finalists in 26th Awit Awards revealed". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  41. ^ a b "Who won at the 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2014-15-09.
  42. ^ "Kapamilya stars dominate 46th Box Office Entertainment Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  43. ^ a b c d e "28th Awit Awards". 28th Awit Awards Full List. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  44. ^ "KIA Theatre | Gary V Presents! | Photo Gallery". Kiatheatre.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  45. ^ "Nominees for 2019 Star Awards for Music". news.abs-cbn.com. October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  46. ^ a b Created With Citymall (September 20, 2017). "Lifestyle | PEP.ph – Philippine Entertainment Portal". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  47. ^ Created With Citymall. "Golden Screen TV Awards nominees bared". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  48. ^ "Gary V Microphone". "Gary V Microphone"

External links[edit]