A new inspirational Gary V album

Gary Valenciano continues to inspire Filipinos through his life and music. This year, Mr. Pure Energy releases another inspirational album “With You” that promises to be another hit project. The album, produced by Gary himself for GV Productions Inc. in cooperation with Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc. and Universal Records, consists of 10 new songs.

The album had its second launching at the Venice Piazza at McKinley Hills at the Fort last Saturday which had a sizeable crowd. One of the most touching moments in the mini-concert was Gary V’s revelation regarding his most recent trip to Tacloban.  He said a German national shook his hand and told him “You should be proud to be a Filipino,” Gary related. The German national was impressed by the resiliency of the Pinoy, the ability to bounce back from a calamity yet maintaining an optimistic mien and with a smile that radiates despite the misfortune.

“With You” follows Gary’s previous hit inspirational albums like “Shout For Joy” (1991), “Revive” (2001), “Soulfull” (2005), and “Rebirth” (2007) which produced crowd favorites  “Shout For Joy,” “Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos,” “Gaya Ng Dati,” “Take Me Out Of The Dark,” “Could You Be Messiah,” “I Will Be Here,”  “Warrior Is A Child,” and “Shake It Off.”

It is always a delight to watch Gary perform in a concert. Even if the accompaniment was just a minus one, you can be sure that Mr. Energy will give his all to make his audience feel his music and be inspired.

“With You” boasts of several collaborations with new artists and some of the best songwriters in the country as well as experimental productions including the upbeat big band carrier single “He’s Enough,” which also features the female group  AKA JAM, “Ngiti,” with Young JV, and “With You” with daughter Kiana. “With You” was a song Gary composed for the wedding of his firstborn Paolo to Samantha Godinez in February 2013 and given a fresh touch in the duet with his daughter Kiana. Apart from composing and arranging “He’s Enough” which he co-wrote with Ray An Fuentes with additional lyrics by Novacain, he also wrote and arranged “The Answer” which he was able to finish after super typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines last year. Another cut he arranged was “In You,” a song written by Gary and Rex Verzosa, who also wrote “Home” for him some years back.

The album again brings out Gary’s versatile skills as a music producer as he also did vocal arrangements for the songs “He Is Enough,” “With You,” and Jonathan Manalo’s anthemic “Kahit Pinoy.” New York-based Dodgie Simon who wrote “Close Your Eyes” for Gary 28 years ago contributed “No Mount Too High” while award-winning songwriter Jungee Marcelo who wrote “Sa Yahweh Ang Sayaw” for Gary in 1995, contributed a powerful dance cut “Saytay.” The first song recorded for the album was Juan Miguel Salvador’s moving “Para Sa ‘Yo Ama,” a fitting tribute to fathers as Gary’s father, Vicente Valenciano, passed away in May of last year.

Fans can also look forward to the culmination of his 30th anniversary in the industry titled “ARISE Gary V 3.0” that happens at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 11 and 12 where he will sing some of his best-loved hits and as songs from his new album. Co-directed by Paolo Valenciano with his dad, the concert will be an exciting event as his brother, Super Selfie King Gab Valenciano, who is currently studying in the United States, is flying in from Florida to guest in the concert.

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Last Wednesday, GMA Artist Center talent Sef Cadayona hosted a mini-dance contest and ice cream party for the ‘tambays’ at the Executive Lounge of GMA Network Center.

From a list of talented aspirants, three groups namely, Simple Guys from Quezon City; I’am Crew District from Montalban, Rizal; and Technical Force from San Mateo, Rizal, were given the chance to showcase their best dance moves and choreography.

In an interview with Sef, he said that he’s glad that despite the fact that they don’t have the proper training and rehearsal venues, the aspiring dancers still managed to join the dance contest and showed their undeniable dancing prowess.

After the show-stopping performances, Technical Force took home the grand prize, while Simple Guys and I’am Crew District placed second and third, respectively. They were all given cash prizes and trophies from Sef. Being someone who has a passion for dancing, he reminded the aspiring dancers to never stop dreaming and doing what they love.

When he was asked about his birthday wish Sef shared, “I always treasure the work that has been given to me and I’m very thankful. There’s only one ultimate wish that I have though na sana matupad with what I wanna do as an artist. Mapasaya at mapatawa ang mga manonood at mapawi ang kalungkutan nila habang pinapanood nila ako.”

Catch the fun side of Sefin the gag show “Bubble Gang” every Friday after “Rhodora X.”

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Annaliza’s story will soon come to an end, but Andrea Brillantes’ road to superstardom has just begun. According to business unit head Ruel Bayani, “Annaliza” not only captivated the hearts of Filipinos during its 10-month run, but it also produced Philippine TV’s next big tween superstar.

She may be one of the country’s most adored young stars today, but Andrea barely acknowledges her newfound fame and simply attributes it to the many people who want their photos taken with her.

“I also gained more followers on Twitter and Instagram, and I feel that more people love me,” said Andrea, who just turned 11 last Wednesday, when asked how her stature as a celebrity changed with “Annaliza.”