Gary Valenciano and his Faith

I dreamt I was walking in a long white corridor. It seemed an endlessly long hallway with many rooms on either side with Roman numerals posted on their brown doors. I could faintly hear a song being played but I wasn’t sure what it was. As soon as I entered a room with a high ceiling, the words of the song reverberated within its confines. The words became unmistakable. I was hearing the chorus of ‘”I Will Be Here” by Gary Valenciano being played over and over again. As I looked around the room, I couldn’t find Gary V. Neither could I find the source from where it was coming. It was as if it was being played from above or somewhere unseen.

As soon as I woke up, I couldn’t shake off the dream from my head, but there was no denying that in my  heart I know what it was, and to where I was taken. I tried to make sense of it more and to piece together the details and what it could possibly mean.

But what does this have to do with music, you ask? It is everything. Because it was the song of Gary V being played and hearing those immortal words that have comforted the hearts of Filipinos–those who are longing for their loved ones–whether they are abroad working as OFW’s, a broken-hearted teen missing his significant other, and those dearly departed. In my opinion, this song has some of the most meaningful lyrics behind it. No matter what the situation is, the dire straits you are experiencing and the challenges you are facing, this song speaks to you.

I have always considered Gary V to be exemplary, upright, and a true professional. You don’t hear anything bad about him. He is a true role model for Fillipinos, not only for aspiring singers or active singers, but essentially for everyone regardless of profession . Gary Valenciano’s name has never been tainted by “chismis”, unsavory rumor, and scandal.

Who doesn’t know any of the works of Gary Valenciano? Has there ever been a time wherein we haven’t heard  any of his songs being played in our life? While Gary V. has gone by the alias of Mr. Pure Energy! I honestly think there is more to him than just being an excellent singer and an agile dancer. There is something that makes him special, that makes him “rise above the rest”, and which perhaps that has contributed significantly to him lasting for so long in the recording industry. That is FAITH. Yep, you heard it right. That is what I believe he has a lot of.
Having a deep abiding faith, that is something I consider to be special that Gary V. has.

I think we all need a little more of that. For some, they need to have that. And for a few, they just need to continue to have faith. Gary Valenciano to me will always represent a positive light when it comes to music. His songs have become a source of comfort to many when they needed it, and I am not the only Filipino who thinks highly of him, and the positive impact he has had over the years !

Below are the words I kept hearing in my dream, being played over and over again. It was the second chorus of “I Will Be Here”.

“I will be here
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we’re older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here”