MANILA, Philippines - Hindi nakitaan ng sibling rivalry ni Gary Valenciano ang mga anak na sina Paolo at Gabriel. Kahit abala rin siya sa kanyang career, nagbibigay lang siya ng advice kapag humingi sa kanya ang mga anak. “The kids don’t have that!” rason ni Gary.
“But when I feel that they may be not sure kung ano ang papasukan nila, hindi nila alam ang lahat ng information, doon ako pumapasok. I just tell them to be careful. I trust you. You have a good head on your shoulders, go for it!
“But remember the basics which is never to lift your feet too high on the ground!” pahayag ni Gary sa pocket presscon ni Lani Misalucha sa Ultimate Valentine concert nila sa SM Mall of Asia Arena sa February 13 and 14.
Wala na raw ‘yung scolding na nangyari nu’ng mga bata pa sila.
“It’s just usapan. Sometimes we don’t see eye to eye. I have to give them the rule that you are grown up now, I have to speak to you as a grown up. Not as a child,” rason ni Mr. Pure Energy.
Si Kiana ang youngest sa tatlo nilang anak nila ni Angeli. Ano ang fear niya sa nag-iisang anak na babae?
“My fear for her…It’s not fear but maybe I have to work on it to make sure that she gets the same attention and the same priority. Kumbaga, ‘yung level ng priority na ibinigay ko kay Paolo bilang panganay. ‘Yung priority na ibinigay ko kay Gabriel dahil siya ang pinaka-outgoing and Kiana, who is the most…Hindi naman siya introvert in terms of performing and her personality is not an introvert. Kulang lang talaga siya sa exposure!
“Pero mapili siya eh, kung ano ang gagawin niya that’s why bihira siyang lumabas sa ASAP, ‘di ba? Kasi ‘pag sa ASAP, ‘Dad, if I want to come out, I want to come out being me. I don’t want to try and sound like somebody else. Kasi bihira akong lumabas tapos ganoon pa,” saad pa niya.
Hindi lang daw kanta ang hilig ng anak na babae kundi pati fashion. Balita ni Gary, pupunta sa London ang anak upang kumuha ng short courses doon sa fashion.
“I think it’s time. She’s twenty two years old and she may be young…When you’re young, it’s nice to experience these…She might be going back and forth kasi ‘yung courses niya, hindi ‘yung tipong one year. Few weeks and then she comes home and then apply again,” balita ni Gary.
Eh, wala pa ba siyang paparating na apo kay Paolo?
“You know what? I’m really waiting for it talaga! Naghihintay na kami. Sabi ko kay Paolo, hindi kita ipi-pressure pero habang kaya pa ng daddy mo na tumakbo, mag-basketabll at lahat, game! Ha! Ha! Ha!
“According to Paolo, they really are planning na. Kasi ang gusto nila sa first year nila is just to experience married life on their own. And they are able to do that. They travel together. When I’m on tour, sometimes they are with me,” sey pa niya.
Alam din ni Gary na nandoon ang fear ng mga anak na maging shadow niya.
“That has been an issue. I’ve opened that. I talk to my children on the issue of having to live under the shadow of Gary Valenciano. It’s really an issue that I think is a reflection of many other children who are children of prominent personalities! Famous personalities and rich personalities! It’s difficult.
“So Paolo, me, Gab, especially their mom, they really talk about these things. ‘You know, mom, every time I step on stage, it’s really daddy..’Is he as good as his dad? ‘Ay…’ But at the end of it, just like what happened to Paolo, we had a big concert the other day, ‘yung Fusion?
“Paolo came out early in the show pero ‘yung appreciation ng tao sa kanya…Angeli kept on texting me, ‘Oh my God!’ And he’s so cool on the stage!
“He’s Gary Valenciano’s son. It’s only the name but there’s no visually…Thank you!” diin ni Gary.