Singer, composer, dancer, actor, musical arranger, music producer, musician Gary V. or Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano was born in Sta. Mesa, Manila on August 6, 1964. Born to Vicente Valenciano and Grimilda Santiago, he is the sixth child in a brood of seven. He is married to Ma. Anna Elizabeth Pangilinan with whom he has three children: Juan Paolo Martin, Jose Angelo Gabriel and Kristina Maria Mikaela.
Gary finished his primary and secondary education at La Salle Greenhills and during his high school days he joined the popular music group, Kundirana, The group became popular on school campuses and this stint with the Kundirana, however brief, brought an important discovery to Gary, nonetheless: THE POWER OF MUSIC TO INFLUENCE LIVES. Since then, he has devoted himself entirely to music.
He first appeared on the Pilita and Jackie Show in 1982, but it was his performances in Germspesyal and Penthouse Live, which made people take notice and roused the interest of the mass audience. A series of concerts at the Tavern on the Square followed. In April 1984, he made his big leap to the top of the pop music world in his first solo concert Gary V: A-Live at a jam-packed 15,000 seater Araneta Coliseum. He has held several concerts every year since then and in 1984 went on his first international show in Singapore.
Gary has recorded over 21 albums of which four have become gold (including the extended play of "Di Bale Na Lang"), five went double platinum, three have reached triple platinum and one even went further to hit the quadruple platinum mark. Three of his albums are released internationally, Dancin' in the Moonlight in 1992 under Toshiba-EMI Records in Japan; Out of the Dark in 1995, a Christian contemporary album well-received in the United States; and an Asian release called Outside Looking In for Polygram Records. He even made the first interactive CD-ROM, the first of its kind in Asia, which features the life and music of an artist. Gary: Interactive Album turned gold in just one month.
Gary has also appeared in TV Commercials for major products such as Coca-Cola, Sony, Jollibee, Colgate, Toyota, AT and T, Hanes Classics, Bioderm Germicidal Soap, Alaska Milk, and Max's Fried Chicken and was a spokesperson for UNICEF's Fill the World with Love campaign in 1991 and UNICEF's iodized salt program in 1997. He is the first National Ambassador of Goodwill of UNICEF for the Philippines after his appointment in December 1998. Gary V has garnered over 200 awards and nominations for his performances, recordings and compositions, including 5 of 12 Best Male Vocalist Nominations and 4 of the 12 Album of the Year awards at the Awit.
Although he is more involved with his music, Gary has also received citations for his acting after starring in twelve movies featuring him with some of the Philippines best actresses the like of Ms. Vilma Santos, Lorna Tolentino, etc. He has also performed in musical theater as the lead in "Joseph The Dreamer" and have guested on TV live shows and sitcoms through the years.
Despite the emergence of so many new talents over the years, Gary V. continues to make music that's both meaningful and relevant to the times. He's had various accolades and good to note was the 1999 Awit and Katha music awards where he managed to walk away with a host of trophies that served to affirm of his musical contribution to the times.
And to confirm that his contributions continue to be appreciated he again took top honors in the most recent Awit Awards, bagging the "Best Male Pop Vocalist" trophy.
thank u gary for the song anak in ur concert in lemoore i am the person yelling thank u gary. I don't know if u get my message before u went here in california. I was very happy went to song that anak. if u get this message thank again it, because i dedicated that song for my father past away last june 20 just sudden death of anurisicm in the heart I read ur book it very interesting i bought all ur cd this my first time wacth u in live, but in tfc and type i always bye them. thank again i love u has my idol in life specially i so u part in god life I am one the banal na pag-aaral from christian born I always pray for ur health and safe I know god always with u always guide and protect all the time take care I hope u with do again the concert in lemoore I dont mine coming down from San Diego. much love for u.
Hi Gary! How are u? It's Rafael (Raf) from Melbourne u meet at your Sydney Press Conference/Concert. Would like to say again that ur an inspiration for me to sing and perform to ur level someday :)An awsome concert that will be remembered always and the advice u gave...Hopefully Cathy and I could meet u again on ur next visit to Australia. Take care and God Bless!
Hey Gary,
How are u going there? I'm in the phils now and wow it's so hot but that's ok I'll get use to it. Are u going to perform on asap 07 live soon?
Hi Gary thank you so muc h for accepting my friend request. I love all your songs you have a wonderful voice, everytime i listen those song's of you i feel so good for me you are great and you are my idol second to God. God bless you
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