There’s no stopping Gary V.
MANY people look up to Gary Valenciano for the inspiration he brings but the health issues he endured in the past year have made him even more sensitive and aware of his effect to people.
As a result, Gary has resumed his dream of visiting 35 universities for his 35th anniversary in showbiz. It was a plan that had to be cut short when he was diagnosed with heart ailment and cancer, both of which he survived.
The recent school that Gary V visited was Unibersidad de Manila where he was able to share his journey to the young students.
“I told them they can’t do shortcuts. If you want to go somewhere, you have to go through the journey. All the ups and downs are going to teach you who you are going to be,” said Mr. Pure Energy.
Now what about his colleagues in the industry who are going through tough challenges as well?
“People know me as a man of faith but I have come to realize one thing — you can only exercise faith when fear comes knocking at the door. You cannot say you have faith if there’s no fear because when things are great, it’s easy to say that you have faith.
“But when things become questionable and uncertainties knock at the door…when
I was going through all these health challenge, take note, it was from a person who is seemingly supposedly healthy all these time. But my heart’s artery has a blockage and a cancer was brewing.”
It got to the point that Gary V , humanly, could not do it anymore. Even if he went through surgery, there was no certainty that the ailment would not comeback. “It made me realize that yes, I can only rely on God for Him to do things that humans cannot do. And that is my message to everyone. That was the message I have spoken before but I guess it is more driven at home now. The message became deeper because nobody expected I will go through that experience.” With renewed energy and stronger faith, Gary V was ecstatic when he was offered to be one of the judges of World of Dance Philippines, together with Billy Crawford and Maja Salvador. Bashers, who took notice of Gary V’s judging style, however, did not spare the recovering star from their negative comments online. But the ever gracious Gary said he doesn’t mind.
“It’s their drama that was has inspired the contestants to dance the way they do. Just like in Tawag ng Tanghalan, they were trying to sing for their families so they can provide. I am not judging that story. I am judging the ir singing or their dance. “I actually respond to some of the bashers who eventually would stay silent. I take that as a sign that they’ve understood what I was trying to say.” At the end of the day, Gary V is glad that a show like World of Dance Philippines is now in the country, enabling local dancers to showcase their world-class talent.