Gary V: Back at the Music Museum: The Finale

I’ve seen OPM legend Gary Valenciano perform multiple times on stage, but it took me 44 years to see him at a full concert. I got lucky and was able to secure me a ticket to one of his sold out shows and happened to be the last at his concert series Gary V: Back at the Music Museum.

The traffic en route to Greenhills was chaotic. Fortunately, I took the wise decision to depart early since EDSA was in shambles. I arrived at the venue about an hour before they opened the doors to the public. It provided me ample time to eat dinner and freshen up a bit. Finally, when I was seated, I saw my friend Paolo, Gary’s eldest son and the series’ director. He told me that he will be joining his dad on stage to perform a Beatles medley, which I looked forward to.

Gary’s talented niece Kai Buizon opened the evening with some of her original tunes. Following her set, Gary’s accompanying band, led by Musical Director Mon Faustino, took their place on stage, signaling Gary’s entrance in a few minutes. Gary delivered a continuous succession of songs, to the point where I lost count of the number of hits he performed. In addition, he performed several medleys of cover songs, which, predictably, received praise from the audience. He even performed alongside his kids Gab and Paolo that night. Unfortunately, his daughter Kiana was unable to attend on that particular date, however I have heard that she was able to join her father on stage for several performances of the series. I like the concept that was used for this series. Every time Gary sang a song, a video of his previous performance of that same song from one of his concerts at the Music Museum was flashed on screen. Gary expressed his fondness for performing at the Music Museum due to its combination of intimacy and ample space, which allows him to freely showcase all the music he likes.

Witnessing Gary Valenciano’s full performance is like attending a religious service. However, unlike certain church experiences that may become boring, Gary’s “congregation” ensures a consistently engaging atmosphere. I was surprised by my familiarity with Gary V songs; as soon as he began singing, I effortlessly joined in, even though these were songs that I hadn’t heard in quite some time. Gary possesses an ability to evoke emotional responses in individuals through his music. You could sense his heartfelt connection to each song and his intense passion for them just by listening to him sing. I received a message from him on Instagram and used the opportunity to discuss the profound impact his songs have on me and other people, often moving all of us to tears. “It’s never my intention to make people cry, but somehow I guess the songs become relevant when sung by someone who himself has gone through so, so much in life,” he said.

With a career spanning four decades, Gary has achieved a remarkable feat in the entertainment industry. Even though his journey has been challenging due to his previous battle with various ailments, including his persistent struggle with diabetes, these obstacles don’t prevent Gary from commanding the stage, enjoying the presence, and entertaining his audience. In fact, he recently announced one of his biggest concerts to date, which will take place at the SM MOA Arena on April 26 and 27, 2024. That would be exciting, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it sold out like his Music Museum series. I am grateful to God for creating someone like Gary Valenciano, who selflessly shares his God-given abilities, communicates via his music, and possesses a loving, and gracious heart.