Like bro, Gab Valenciano gives directing a go
'My preparation is a little unorthodox. Basically, I’ve been watching some pretty dark films – European films, American films, Asian films. And I have a notebook and ’yung notebook na ’yun na sinusulatan ko about my thoughts, walang pwedeng makakita.'
Dancer-musician Gab Valenciano will soon sit on the director’s chair for the first time. In a recent interview with Bulletin Entertainment, he divulged that unlike his brother Paolo Valenciano who is widely known to direct concerts, he will do a full-length film. He said it has a dark story, something to do with depression. However, he will be careful to show how those who suffer from it can redeem themselves.
“Depression is real,” he said. “It is not a decision. It’s a real chemical imbalance that makes you feel really down.”
He hopes that through the film, he will be able to help shed light on the condition.
“I want to make sure that I portrayed it in a way that people can see and understand it.”
Gab reiterated that depression should be a major subject for discussion among people especially in the time of social media.
“I mean a lot of young people right now believe and really take to heart the social media. With cyber bullying, fake news, all these things ang daling mag-hate,” he explained.
“Depression come up a lot sa news and people say na wala lang ’yan, isip-isip
lang ’yan, it’s not true. So I wanna be able to inspire people and tell people you’re not alone.”
Gab admitted the feels like the world is getting darker with so many news about people committing suicide.
“Sobrang dami (nagsu-suicide) but I cannot judge them. All I can say is I pray for their family,” he said. “Kasi it’s easier to do things to yourself now, it’s easier to think bad thoughts but at the end of the day it’s also easier to gain positivity.”
Personal stories
He revealed that the issue is very close to his heart because a couple of months ago, a friend of his committed suicide.
“Nobody knew his problem but I wish he told me,” he said. “So I always tell my friends to just surround yourself with your family.” “Alam mo naman minsan kasi ’yung mga Pinoy mahilig sa drama. So I always tell people if something happens, you go to the first person that you trust the most and you open up. Don’t ever keep it inside,” he added.
Gab divulged that even he, himself, experienced depression especially after his marriage to Tricia Centenera crumbled. He recalled opening up to his family about it. “I said to them ‘Guys this is where I am at. I am not mentally, emotionally, spiritually... I’m not in a good place,’” he remembered saying to his family. He is thankful that his relatives were all there for him.
Burning passion
Gab’s directorial debut was inspired by one of his dreams.
“I think it was like November last year. I fell asleep around 10 p.m. and I woke up around eight to nine times the whole night. I remembered everything about my dreams so sinulat ko siya the next day,” he shared. “So weird nga and it’s the first time na nangyari ’yun.”
After writing down the story, he immediately met up with the screenwriter.
So, how is he preparing for his first foray into directing, we asked.
“My preparation is a little unorthodox. Basically, I’ve been watching some pretty dark films – European films, American films, Asian films. And I have a notebook and ’yung notebook na ’yun na sinusulatan ko about my thoughts, walang pwedeng
makakita because it’s really a little twisted (the things I write) though it helps me understand a little more,” he shared.
Among his influences are the likes of Wes Anderson, Tim Burton, and J.J. Abrams, to name a few.
But why trying his hand at directing, we asked. “I love to tell stories,” he enthused.
“Alam mo kasi for me when you perform parang ‘Wow and galing’ but when you create something like a movie, it lasts for generation. So, for me, I wanna create something that’s lasting and that’s more permanent.”
Also he noted that doing movies is his “greatest passion.”
So does it mean he will now stop performing?
“No. Performing is, like, my first love but as you notice, I’m not in showbiz anymore kasi I love movies talaga.”
Recall that Gab even left the country to study film scoring in the US.
And just late last year, he established his film company which offers different services whether digital or TV commercials, corporate media content, etc.
Bulletin Entertainment caught up with Gab on the so-called World Gin Day. The event we attended was organized by Ginebra San Miguel.
Other guests there were Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani, and allaround vlogger Vince Vandorpe. Travel and beauty vlogger Angel Dei Peralta, and international model couple/reality TV stars Chelsea Robato and Christian Busby also joined the gin-credible night.
My preparation is a little unorthodox. Basically, I’ve been watching some pretty dark films – European films, American films, Asian films. And I have a notebook and ’yung notebook na ’yun na sinusulatan ko about my thoughts, walang pwedeng makakita.