THE show must go on. That was an important declaration in show business. Hence, after a health scare Friday night, when the Araneta Coliseum concert of Gary Valenciano was cut short after he fell ill, the original schedule pushed through on Sunday night.

Everyone was on tenterhooks on Sunday morning, when even from his hospital bed, the Total Entertainer assured everyone the second night of his Pure Energy: One More Time concert would go on as scheduled.

“I will be at the Araneta today,” announced Gary on social media. “No weapon formed against me will prosper.” – Gary.

The statement sounded tentative for everybody, but Araneta Coliseum was filled to the rafters and everyone was anticipating whether or not Gary could pull through with his promise.

Before the announcement was made, Gary was cleared by his endocrinologist of 19 years, Dr. Michael Villa, to be discharged and checked out for Sunday night’s concert.

At the Big Dome, the atmosphere was palpable. Everyone anticipated Gary’s entry into the stage as he started the performance with his iconic Shout for Joy anthem, with close to a hundred dancers backing him up.

No wonder, even after he finished his first song on his set list, Gary was immediately rewarded with a standing ovation by the excited crowd, who was all glad to see him back performing onstage – and he was obviously overwhelmed.

His director son, Paolo Valenciano, made sure everything was on point – from the songs Gary would perform that night which were partly changed to even the camera in drone hovering above the stage and the audience.

His wife, Angeli Pangilinan, disclosed Gary checked out from the hospital at 12 noon yesterday and went straight to the Araneta Coliseum. “He was lying down for four hours before the show and even had an IV drip,” she said.

The five-member rock-alternative band, Over October, warmed up the stage before Gary’s entry and dished out their original songs, including 123, Ating Dalawa and concluded with Ikot.

Twice while performing, Gary closely monitored his blood pressure to make sure he was still good to continue onstage. He got consistent affirmation that pleased him and the audience, as well.

“I wasn’t sure if I could do this concert tonight after battling with severe hydration,” said Gary, who has been a juvenile diabetic since he was 14. No wonder there was a portable IV (intravenous) strapped on his left arm.

“I’m really taking my time because I want to finish this show for you. I’m not running on empty because I’m running on the fuse of God.”

He was joined by his stellar guests. First was rapper Gloc 9 – “There’s no one like him,” Gary said of the artist. “If you get to decipher what his words say, you will understand this artist” – with whom Gary rendered Walang Pumapalakpak.

“When a 40-year career hits the big 40, you’d think there was nothing else in store this year,” Gary said. “But tonight, I’d like to sing this one song from the award-winning songwriter Gloc 9.

“I hope this song speaks to those of you who have been working hard, doing his best and still, never getting acknowledged for what you do. Never getting appreciated for what you do.”

The crowd went wild when SB19, today’s hottest boy band, joined Gary onstage and proudly rendered one of their signature hits, Gento, with the latter.

South Border keyboardist and songwriter Jay Durias performed I Will Be Here with Gary. “The song speaks about the reason for the season,” shared Gary, who proudly said Jay joined him in singing original adlibs for I Will Be Here. “It’s hard to sing this song,” said Gary.

“I am so, so blessed tonight. This man inspired not just singers like me, but also musicians that you see. He (Jay) actually joined me in my first run for this concert at the Mall of Asia Arena. I wasn’t sure if he was available for any of these shows, but he said yes to December 22.”

Kiana Valenciano-Tolentino and Darren Espanto joined Gary in Each Passing Night, Narito and Sana Maulit Muli. They later joined Gary, Gab Valenciano in Sa Yahweh ditty.

Gary obviously deviated from his physically demanding dance moves for his signature hits. “Hindi na namin sinundan ang original line up for this concert,” Gary said. “Our deadline was at 9 a.m. if I would push through with this concert or not.

“At 8:15 this morning, I told my wife, ‘I cannot do this concert.’ But the kind of wife that Angeli is, she was persistent. She believed I could not do it, but God can.”

Toward the end of his performance, Gary commended his eldest son, Paolo, for a job well done, which obviously pleased his dad and made him consistently proud of him.

“If you saw the concert of Sarah G, that’s Paolo. If you’ve seen the Ben & Ben concert, that’s him. Concert of Juan Karlos (Labajo), that’s him. Concert of E-heads that’s him. Marami pa, hindi ko lang maalala lahat.

“Paolo, to say that I’m proud of you is too much of an understatement. I love you so dearly. You were such an example to your brother (Gabriel) and your sister (Kiana). Your children have a good mom and dad taking care of them.”

Gary closed Pure Energy: One More Time at past 11 p.m. and ended with Take Me Out of the Dark.

Colossians 1:29 was flashed onscreen even before the concert started. And in the end, the Bible verse was bared out as part of Gary’s apt testimony.

“For this I toil struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me,” the screen onstage closed the concert.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio