Gary Valenciano just keeps moving

PROUD dad shares stage with daughter Kiana. Photos by Alexis Corpuz

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Marking his 30th year as an entertainer, Gary Valenciano took his fans back in time via “Arise 3.0,” a concert that celebrated his music.

A good chunk of the repertoire consisted of Gary V’s definitive hits from the ’80s and ’90s, like “’Di Bale Na Lang,” “Heto Na Naman” and “Babalik Ka Rin.” And though he had performed these same songs countless times in the past, he made them fresh via new arrangements, creative production numbers and surprise collaborations.

He is not one to rest on his laurels. “I’m always on the lookout for means to put new flavor to old songs,” Gary told the crowd at the Big Dome on Friday night during the first of his two anniversary concerts.

The opening song, “’Di Bale Na Lang,” for instance, was rendered with sleeker, more modern-sounding beats. Sporting a red biker jacket, Gary emerged onstage shadow-boxing to the song’s signature violin strains. Before long, Gary was all over the stage, dancing, jumping and sliding on his knees.

He was just getting started.

Delightfully quirky

As he crooned to a jazz-vibed version of “’Di Na Natuto,” old, grainy video clips of his past performances and TV stints were projected on a huge screen behind him. “It’s true, folks,” he jested, “I used to wear shoulder pads.” Then he proceeded with other fan favorites—“Hang On,” “Narito” and “Reaching Out.”

In a delightfully quirky dance number, the 49-year-old star and his son Gab manipulated an apparatus attached to a rank of puppets that mimicked their every move. Gary then sang “Heto Na Naman” as Gab—wearing a mishmash of loud gym and disco outfits—grooved around the venue, to the delight of the crowd.

GARY V (center) dances up a storm with The Maneouvres.

The Maneouvres

While the ’80s was all about the big hair, flashy costumes and high-octane dancing, the ’90s, Gary said, was when he became bolder in expressing himself, particularly his faith. “I will continue to carry the goodness of God,” he said.

SARAH Geronimo raps and pops for this concert.

After playing an enchanting solo on the kulintang, Gary, with dance group The Maneouvres—a fixture in his concerts—set the stage ablaze with “Yahweh.” Showing that he could still go toe-to-toe with much younger dancers, Gary threw himself into a series of small, punchy and spastic moves.

If he lost a single step, it was barely noticed. Drawing loud cheers, the man dubbed “Mr. Pure Energy” pretended to be panting heavily, but then  said, “Kaya pa!”

Gary used the concert as an opportunity to work with some of his favorite artists in ways he had never done before. While he usually sang ballads with Sarah Geronimo, this time, they tackled “That’s Why,” which had them rapping, popping and locking.

In “Babalik Ka Rin,” Gary and rock star Rico Blanco donned the latter’s Fiesto Bandido gear, sang and struck poses inspired by ethnic dances. They infused ethnic beats to the song with help from a dynamic ati-atihan backup who pounded on smoking drum barrels.

Gary next slowed things down with “I Will Be Here,” and showed off power vocals in a medley of torch ballads previously used as movie and TV series themes—“Kailangan Kita,” “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan,” “Tayong Dalawa” and “Sana Maulit Muli.” He also sang “With You”—a track from his latest inspirational album of the same title—with daughter Kiana, who impressed with a sweet, delicate tone.

Burst of confetti

With Sam Concepcion, Gary dared older fans to show they’re still young, by standing up and dancing. The indefatigable “Mr. Pure Energy” thus turned the Big Dome into a dance hall, pulsing with trippy lights and a huge disco ball. The music, of course, was several of Gary’s upbeat songs spruced up with techno beats and thumping bass lines.

After a stirring performance of “Shout for Joy,”  punctuated by a burst of confetti, Gary gave an impassioned performance of “The Warrior Is a Child” and “Take Me Out of Dark”—two of his most cherished songs.

While no longer exactly the live wire that he was 30 years ago, Gary said, hand on his chest, “It’s good to know that I can still move people where it counts.” He couldn’t see himself doing anything else, he said. “If I could go on for another 30 years, then praise God!”