Sa kanyang 40th anniversary celebration: GARY V, powerhouse ang guest stars sa ‘Pure Energy: One Last Time’

MAGIGING bahagi ang mga fans ni Gary Valenciano (a.k.a. Gary V) ng OPM history as it unfolds ngayong weekend dahil naghahanda na ang iconic Filipino-Puerto Rican performer at inspirational icon, na kung tawagin ay Mr. Pure Energy para sa kanyang two-night musical spectacle sa SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena ngayong Abril 26 at 27. Titled ‘Pure Energy: One Last Time’, ito ay once-in-a-lifetime industry event na ipapakita ang kanyang impressive 40-year career at pati na rin ang mga amazing talents ng kanyang guest performers. 

Bumuo si Gary V na nakipag-sanib pwersa kamakailan lang sa Star Magic ng powerhouse line-up of artists who will join him in celebrating his historic milestone.
Ang gifted singer-songwriter na si Bullet Dumas ang mag-o-open sa dalawang gabi. Nagtrabaho sina Bullet at Gary sa concert series na Gary V Presents nuong 2017 at sa Awit At Laro,” album sa awiting Jak En Poy.”

Featured din both nights sina Gabriel and Kiana, na may sari-sariling mga karera sa California. Proud si Gary kina  Gab at Kiana dahil nag-solo na sila sa kanilang mga karera kahit miss na miss na niya ang mga ito. Pero makaksama nila si Gary ngayon. Magsasama-sama din ang tatlong mga anak ni Gary dito dahil si Paolo Valenciano ang in charge sa creatives at stage direction.

Makakasama din ang mga pamangkin ni Gary na dating mga LSDC star dancers na sina Gio at Lianna Martinez. Kasama din ang fast rising P-pop group na BGYO at ang singer-songwriter na si Ebe Dancel. Ang rapper na si Gloc-9, who dropped the inspiring song Walang Pumapalakpak with Gary earlier this year under Universal Records, ang mag-peperform din both nights.

And speaking of dance groups, di kumpleto ang Gary V concert of this massive breadth and magnitude kung di kasama ang mga original at new generation Manoeuvres  dancers who have been with him since day one.

Kaya naman umuwi ang Canada-based na sina Jason Zamora at brother Joshua, at pati na rin ang founder at original choreographer ng grupo na si Uriel Policarpio, para makasama si Gary sa two-night extravaganza na ito.

Si Uriel, who flew in from overseas, ang choreographer ng ilan sa mga biggest hits ni Gary gaya ng Di Bale Na Lang, Hataw Na, Huwag Mo Na Sanang Isipin, Look in Her Eyes, Sa Yahweh Ang Sayaw, at Shout For Joy. The signature dance moves Uriel developed became a hallmark of Garys performances. This partnership helped propel both Gary and the Manoeuvres to greater fame. Makakasama din nina Uriel at ng Zamora brothers ang top street dance group na The A-Team.

Sinama din nina Gary at Paolo si MJ Arda ng A-Team to choreograph 40 dancers and an ensemble of 30 musical  theater actors and performing artists gaya nina RJ de la Fuente at Pam G.
This concert will also shine a light on one of Garys most enduring friendships: his bond with Concert King, Martin Nievera. Nung sila ay nagsimula nuong 1980s, they were often pitted against each other.

In a previous interview, Gary admitted that back then, they both did their very best to outdo each other, especially on the concert stage. Fans loved that rivalry but behind the scenes, Gary and Martin are actually very close. Over the years, Martin has been there for Gary, and vice versa.

He has seen Gary through the highest of highs Paolo’s birth as well as his wedding to Martins niece, Samantha  and the lowest of lows, including Garys health battles as well as the passing of his parents. Kaya naman tama lamang na kasama si Martin for both nights to celebrate with Gary.

Para naman sa April 26 show ngayong gabi, ang mga guests ni Gary ay ang chart-topping band ba Ben and Ben, former Supahdance groups lead star Rayver Cruz, the multi-talented Julie Anne San Jose, Prince of Pop Erik Santos, and Its Showtime host and singer-actress Karylle.

Sa April 27 naman, ang mga special guests ay ang acoustic hitmaker Ice Seguerra, dance prodigy AC Bonifacio, Total Performer Darren Espanto, and powerhouse vocalist Jona. Gary tapped them to join him because championing young talent has always been very important to him. Many of these young guns have had the opportunity to work with Gary before, and fans are eagerly anticipating what theyll bring to the stage this time.

Makakasama din ni Gary ang kanyang kapwa OPM icon, ang Divine Diva na si Zsa Zsa Padilla para sa April 27 show. It should be noted that this marks the first mainstream live concert collaboration for a very long time between Gary and Zsa Zsa.

With musical direction by Mon Faustino, ‘Pure Energy: One Last Time’ is set to be a musical event of epic proportions. However, the title of the show initially led the public to assume the unthinkable: that he would officially retire from performing.

However, he has clarified that while he’s stepping back from headlining solo shows in large venues like arenas and domes, his passion for music and performing is as strong as ever and does not mind collaborating and doing back-to-back projects and solo concerts in relatively smaller but intimate venues but doing them as a series, perhaps inspired by his phenomenal sold-out ten-night series Back At The [Music] Museum last year. In some earlier interviews, he clarifies that he’s not retiring. He simply wants to spend more time giving back and doing more intimate shows.
When he first broke the news to the public, Gary wrote on Instagram, “Im celebrating 40 years of doing what Ive always loved most. And with gratitude in my heart for the One source of Pure Energy, I look forward to the new chapters, seasons, beginnings, and horizons that lie ahead. It’s time Lets Go Big ONE LAST TIME!!!”

Lahat ng proceeds ng Pure Energy: One Last Time ay susuporta sa Shining Light Foundation, isang NGO formed by the Valenciano couple with some friends in the late 80s, continuing Garys legacy of giving back through his music.

Tickets have been selling like hotcakes, with premium seats being snapped up quickly so dont miss out on what promises to be one of the most memorable musical experiences of the year! And already, an extension was announced recently for May 10 at the same venue.

For more information and exclusive updates, you can follow Gary on all his social media accounts: Instagram and TikTok (@garyvalenciano), X (@GaryValenciano1), Facebook (Gary Valenciano), YouTube (GaryValencianoOfficial), and Threads (@garyvalenciano).

(ROHN ROMULO)