Concert review: Gary V. touches people where it matters most

MANILA, Philippines - A week before the whole Christendom celebrated the day of the Risen Lord, Gary Valenciano did a thing no other artist could ever do — worship God with his songs and get away with it.

For two nights at the Araneta Coliseum, the music icon took concert fans to another fabulous journey with ARISE: Gary V 3.0, a grand musical event that celebrated love, life, family and sublime reverence to the Lord Almighty. Artists usually steer clear from wearing religious colors on their sleeves in public performances. They always go down the beaten path, which is political correctness. That, to them, is the way to survival in the showbiz industry.

That does not apply to Gary. He is set apart, singular and one of a kind. He proclaims his faith in every opportunity and people agree with the religious beat that he puts into his music.

“I touch people where it matters most,” confesses Gary, pointing to his heart.

And for people who have watched Gary through the years, that statement sums up why Gary became one of the brightest stars of his generation.

The signature crisp moves that earned him the moniker Mr. Pure Energy have decelerated a bit, but whatever footwork he lost he compensated it with a more impassioned act.

Gary makes people feel awkward with Di Na Natuto. He makes people dance with Di Bale Na Lang. He coaxes people to worship in Shout for Joy. He can spin Christmas from the point of view of someone brokenhearted in Pasko Na Sinta Ko. His interpretation of Steven Curtis Chapman’s I Will Be Here tells his audience that ultimate sacrifice in love is desirable as it is inspiring.

The two-night concert was Gary’s offering to mark his 30th year as an artist in the recording and concert scene. His son Paolo, who co-directed the show, took a risk in putting video clips of the young Gary guesting in local shows in the early ’80s. It worked wonders as it added dimension to the meaning of the song.

Judging from the reaction of the crowd, the video snippets heightened the emotions of the songs on the repertoire. The most unforgettable moment was when Gary was doing Di Na Natuto onstage and the backdrop video coming off almost simultaneously with the live music. Invariably that would look like a ballroom tribute to a birthday celebrator, but ARISE: Gary V 3.0, being a 30-year career patchwork, made the use of a video a director’s masterstroke.

The April 11 concert was to start at 8 p.m., but the stage got alive only at 8:23 p.m. when a disc jockey put up an ear-splitting act for over 30 minutes. The young crowd must have been entertained, but an elderly lady sitting near me had to plug her ears with her pinkies. At exactly 9 p.m., Gary took center stage and the wonderful journey took form.

Sarah Geronimo, one of the show’s guest performers, electrified the crowd while matching Gary’s vocals and footwork during the re-arranged original That’s Why.

ARISE: Gary V 3.0 may not have surpassed Gary’s best performances, but it was a milestone in itself because, for the first time, Gary had his whole family involved in the project: Paolo as director and Gab and Kiana as guest performers. (With a report from David Casuco)