
Angeli moved by letter of lawyer who watched Gary V’s concert
TALENT managers Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano and Ronnie Henares known each other since the early eighties.
She had been the only person who managed the career of Gary Valenciano, among the many other talents she also handled.
He was the first talent manager who made the career of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez soar to great heights. They have remained friends since. No wonder, they share important ideas, suggestions and notes with each other through the years.
“My dear friend, artist manager/actor Ronnie Henares sent this message to me… ‘Did you see this Angeli?’ I know exactly what he felt!
“Mr H in 1983, in Gary’s first ‘Penthouse 7’ guesting, when Gary’s minus one-tracks did not work (he was the executive producer), went to Gary and told Gary, ‘Oh by the way … maybe next week when you come back, you can come with a better attire.’
“In other words your outfit sucks’… No one told Mr H that Gary’s house burned so he didn’t have better outfits.
“Ronnie and I were BFFs in the 80s and 90s till now … which is why we share with each other messages and articles that we would need to read … So I have not met Atty Bobby Quiitain but if you know him …please tell him… ‘He so got it.’
“This article Ronnie sent me … which Atty Bobby wrote, brought tears to my eyes. When we were so tired trying to keep Gary alive or trying to have him be positive … this came like a hug.
“When someone who used to be a singer who watched Dec 20 publicly said that he wished he bought brand new shoes instead of watching Gary on Dec 20 because we did not refund him right away (one week after Dec 20) I broke down and cried so hard …
“Another said it’s like broken merchandise … when the merch is defective replace or get the money back !!!!! Sigh…
“Cory Vidanes, COO (chief operating officer) of ABS-CBN tried to tell Gary backstage that he didn’t have to continue with the concert, but he was adamant and said he needed to do it.
“I cried to Direk Lauren Dyogi of Star Magic, who is one of our management consultants and he said‘, Angeli don’t they know what an honor it was to have experienced Gary in that concert?”
“Direk Lauren continued, ‘Despite Gary’s physical illness, he tried his best to give his best no matter how sick he was? Don’t mind these people…’
“Lauren was in the row behind me that fateful night. I kept crying about the painful accusations of people… Atty Bobby … thank you… did you know that this post of yours was one of the reasons he was motivated to do Dec 22?
“I read it to him in the hospital on Saturday (Dec 21) in front of my three children when he said he couldn’t do the 22nd! He was so traumatized !!!! So we postponed the concert announcement from Saturday, 5:30pm to 9am on Sunday because he was so, so terribly disheartened.
“Kiana told her Papa, ‘Dad this could be your David and Goliath moment!’ Thank you Sir Bobby … this felt like a hug. … a very big one. Gary and I want to invite you to dinner in our home. When people insulted and cancelled us… this post blessed us more than you could ever imagine. We all cried.
“It was the first time it ever happened in his career and many bashed us and totally cancelled him. A man who has struggled for 46 years with Type 1 diabetes, who has supported his own foundation for 32 years with scholarships and medical support for diabetics, heart and cancer patients, ministries and underprivileged donees among other causes.
“He has received so many nominations and awards this year .. including a Lifetime Achievement Award. I don’t normally tell my right hand what my left hand is doing, but these same people bashed my daughter when she spoke up to defend her Papa.
“It wasn’t about the refunds or the money. She just could not believe the unkindness and insults hurled against her Dad so she spoke up. She saw what her Dad went through that Friday and when she read the insensitive insults of supposed fans and even industry colleagues … she was angry..
“God bless her.. Atty Bobby… Thank you. May 2025 bring you the best that God has in store for you … You. Cannot. Imagine. What this simple writeup did for the Valencianos and Genesis.”
“One Last Time with Gary V.” By: Atty./Bro. Bobby Quitain
“It’s almost 12 midnight but I couldn’t sleep. So I decided to write. Jeng and I just came from Araneta Coliseum to watch the ‘One More Time’ concert of Gary Valenciano, considered to be part of a series of concerts billed as ‘One Last Time’ – something like his farewell concert tour.
“We went there just to be entertained. We left with our hearts filled to overflowing. Still reeling from the once in a lifetime experience, we felt we were blessed to have witnessed an extraordinary show – a special one which might never ever happen again.
“Yes, Gary V. cut short a two-hour concert into an hour, but this was perhaps his most moving and awe-inspiring concert ever. And we were there in that sea of thousands who wept and cheered at the same time.
“Tonight, we witnessed not only Gary Valenciano the artist. We had a glimpse of Gary Valenciano, the man. Sick and dehydrated two hours going into the concert, Gary still decided to step up to the plate and perform.
“Drenched in sweat, and with an IV (intravenous) attached to his hand, Mr. Pure Energy still gave his best with every song he sang. Occasionally catching his breath, but being the ultimate professional that he is, Gary still tried his best to give his fans a full show.
“But alas, in the end, he had to give in to his ailing body and he had to end the show prematurely. But not without first sharing his inspiring testimony of what God has done and what God continues to do in his life.
“Singing ‘The Warrior is a Child’ and followed by ‘Take Me Out of the Dark,’ Gary moved the crowd of thousands to tears. In the end, we all gave, not just the artist, but the man, a well-deserved standing ovation.
“You see, the thing with Gary V is that he wears his faith on his sleeve – may it be in front of one person or before a crowd of 20,000 people. And tonight, he did not hold back.
“I am not one who is easily awed by artists and celebrities. But tonight, I was unabashed in applauding this outstanding human being who for decades have, not only entertained us, but have inspired us to keep our faith no matter what.
“Lord, of all the many nights that we could have watched a Gary V. concert, thank you for bringing us to this One. We sang. We danced. We wept. We prayed. With your favored servant, Gary Valenciano. One last time.”