Gary Valenciano during his contract signing with ABS-CBN. Screenshot from ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel
During his contract signing with ABS-CBN, Gary Valenciano claimed that he would remain a Kapamilya even if the network did not offer him a contract.
The singer-TV host, who is celebrating his fourth decade in the entertainment industry, renewed his commitment to the Kapamilya network during a contract signing event on Tuesday, July 25.
The contract signing was attended by the network’s executives — president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, chairman Mark Lopez, COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, and officer-in-charge of the finance group Paul Piedad. Valenciano’s wife, Angeli Pangilinan, was also present as president of Manila Genesis Entertainment & Management, Inc.
Recalling the moment Pangilinan told him about the contract ABS-CBN is offering him, an emotional Valenciano shared that — contrary to what some people might be thinking — this contract signing is not just one of those things he has done before.
“[W]hen Angeli told me, ‘Gary, you have a contract signing,’ you know, it’s — to some people watching around the world — it’s like, ‘Oh, he’s done this before.’ Oh, but not in this season, not in this kind of season where — you know what we’ve gone through, [what] ABS[-CBN] has gone through,” he said, referring to the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The “ASAP Natin ‘To” mainstay further said that fellow Kapamilya artists have gone a long way since. “[A]nd look at where we are today. We’re literally everywhere.”
Valenciano, earlier in the event, acknowledged how Kapamilya artists have recently been able to reach the Kapatid and Kapuso audience.
Mr. Pure Energy would then express his great love and appreciation for everyone at the Kapamilya network, from the production staff and security personnel to the utility workers and company executives, and added how even without being offered a contract, he’ll stay with ABS-CBN.
“For me, the contract is just a symbol eh. But even if there was no contract, I think I’d still be here, continuing what I believe I’m called to do, and where I’m called to be at this time and season of my life,” he explained.
After the actual contract signing, Valenciano was surprised with video greetings from fans, colleagues, friends, and family. Aside from messages from “It’s Showtime” hosts Jhong Hilario and Anne Curtis, and from his “ASAP Natin ‘To” family, Valenciano also received love from his longtime friend, composer Tats Faustino, and several family members.
His sister Quela Ortiz-Rona told him, “Congratulations, Gary. Your music has always found a way to pull me out, out of my darkest days. But it’s your love as a brother and support, that is truly immeasurable.” His brother Javi Ortiz, meanwhile, said that the singer-songwriter’s “impact is in the next generation, and that’s the legacy you’re gonna leave.”
Inspired by his uncle from a young age, Benj Pangilinan, who recently released his debut single “Love, That’s Rare,” also gave Valenciano a shout-out, describing him as “a light,” before thanking the award-winning entertainer for “inspiring me and so many other people out there.”
“I wanna thank everyone who has shown me how much I am valued here by putting on screen the people I also value so very, very much,” said Valenciano, who afterward had to take a pause as he was starting to get emotional. He shared that all of his siblings — including brothers Robby, Juan, and Andy who also were part of the video presentation — are all living abroad.
Despite the countless achievements in his decades-long career, the 58-year-old versatile performer still has “so many ideas in mind,” and plans to continue his student-centered advocacy, with hopes of also reaching students from the Visayas and Mindanao.
“I’m so thankful that because of an advocacy called Face 2 Face, I’ve been able to visit about 54 universities since 2018. Being with them very intimately, a hundred to two hundred students lang (only) per visit, and I just share my life,” he shared.
Valenciano explained how he wants to do “a different kind of tour naman (this time), reaching people and meeting people at the point of their need[, by] being who I am, and with the music that I’ve been blessed with.”
The “Take Me Out of the Dark” hitmaker thanked a lot of people throughout the event, and also did not miss the chance to express his gratitude to his wife, who he said has never lost faith in him.
“I thank my wife, Angeli, who has never stopped believing in me, in those moments when I say, ‘Hon, maybe, baka hindi ko na kaya (I can’t do it anymore). Baka (Maybe), you know… I should do other things na.’ And she’s like, ‘No, I think that God has called you specifically for this,” said Valenciano, who added, “So really, as long as this heart beats, I’ll continue.”
The contract singing was also attended by his good friend Martin Nievera and actor-director Rowell Santiago, who Valenciano said directed “many of my biggest and most memorable concerts.” A special performance of “Hataw Na” was also delivered by Kapamilya stars Darren Espanto, Sheena Belarmino, Joao Constancia, Jeremy Glinoga, and Jameson Blake. EDV