# Gary Valenciano

Edgardo Jose "Gary" Santiago Valenciano (born August 6, 1964) is a Filipino singer and actor. Known for his musical versatility and performances, he is a recipient of various accolades, including 12 Awit Awards, 3 FAMAS Awards and the Myx Magna Award.
Valenciano began his career in 1984 with the release of his self-titled debut album. In the succeeding years, he has ventured on screen, with appearances on several films and television shows. He has performed alongside artists such as Brian McKnight, George Duke, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Shapiro, Ricky Martin, Cliff Richard, Leon Patilo, Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patti, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Kool & the Gang. Outside of music, Valenciano's philanthropy is focused on hope, faith, and positive change; having been appointed as the first UNICEF National Ambassador for 25 years.
Valenciano was chosen by the Doha Asian Games Olympic Committee as the official interpreter of the anthem titled "Heart of the Games" at the 15th Asian Games in Qatar. He was also invited as one of the performers at the 23rd Asian Television Awards in Malaysia. He is currently part of ABS-CBN's contract artists and one of the mainstay hosts of ASAP.

## Early life and education

Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano was born in the Santa Mesa district of the City of Manila on August 6, 1964. He is the sixth of the seven children of Vicente Calacas Valenciano, a Bicolano from Camalig, Albay, and Grimilda Santiago y Olmo (1934–2019) from Arecibo, Puerto Rico. His parents met in New York City, married, and settled in Manila. His mother is a Puerto Rican of Italian descent who sang opera in Manila during the 1960s. Valenciano attended primary and secondary school in La Salle Green Hills, and was a part of the Kundirana.

## Career

In 1978, at 14 years old, Valenciano made his first television appearance in an advertisement for Fress Gusto, a now-discontinued soft drink sold by San Miguel Corporation.
He started as a choir singer, then launched his career in singing and show business on May 13, 1983. He first appeared as a solo artist in 1982 in the television programme The Pilita and Jackie Show, and later in Germspesyal and Penthouse Live.
He had his first solo concert in April 1984 at the Araneta Coliseum, followed by a number of albums. Three of his albums were released internationally, including the Christian-inspired album Out of the Dark. He won the Awit Award twelve times in the "Best Male Recording" category alone. He has been called "Mr. Pure Energy" due to his high energy dance performances in concerts.
As an actor, he won the "Best Single Performance by an Actor" trophy when he performed in a drama television movie for GMA Network in the '90s. He has appeared in 14 full-length films as the lead actor for some of the top movie companies like Viva Films, Regal Films, Seiko Films, and Star Cinema, with leading ladies like Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Lorna Tolentino, Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Gretchen Barretto, Princess Punzalan, and Ms. Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.
As an inspirational artist, he recorded a number of Christian albums and was chosen to do a music video for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) for a song he co-wrote, "Could You Be Messiah," in 1994. He was then tapped for Global Mission in Puerto Rico in 1994 where he performed with Michael W. Smith and Steve Green. BGEA tapped him as well as in Amsterdam 2000 where he performed for over 10,500 evangelists. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Christian Broadcasting Network, producers of The 700 Club. He performed at the 50th anniversary of CBN in Virginia Beach and has guested on The 700 Club USA many times.
As a performing artist, Valenciano has performed all over the world, including in North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and elsewhere. In the '80s and '90s he was dubbed "the Michael Jackson of the Philippines" , and continues to hold concerts all over the world in major venues.
In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines' first National Ambassador. In 2006, the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee has named Gary Valenciano the official performer of the Asian Games' theme song, "Side By Side". In 2008, he marked his tenth year as a UNICEF Ambassador with a visit to Sitio Avocado, a former war zone in Negros Oriental.
Valenciano returned to acting in 2008 by appearing in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, where he portrayed a prisoner who finds religion and becomes a born again Christian. That same year, he was nominated for "Best Single Performance by an Actor" in the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV.
In 2009, Valenciano released a collaborative album with Martin Nievera called As 1, with the carrier single of the same title.
In 2010, Valenciano was in a Holy Week drama special, Gulong ("Wheel"), a CBN Asia production shown on GMA.
For his 25th anniversary in 2008, STAR RECORDS, the music arm of ABS-CBN, released GV 25, a compilation of songs he composed and recorded sung by music stars of the Philippines like Sharon Cuneta, Rachel Ann Go, Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Jed Madela, Erik Santos, and Christian Bautista.
For his 30th anniversary in 2013, his concert ARISE, which was originally staged at the Araneta Coliseum for two nights and restaged at the MOA ARENA to a jam-packed audience, won as PMPC's Best Concert of the Year. His album With You won the Best Inspirational Album for the same year at the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

### Philanthropy

Valenciano formed the Shining Light Foundation in 1989, focusing on supporting diabetics and a scholarship program that has produced many multi-awarded scholars and students.

## Personal life

Valenciano married Maria Anna Elizabeth "Angeli" Pangilinan, the sister of former senator Francis Pangilinan, on August 6, 1984. Together, they have three children: Paolo Valenciano, a director and the vocalist of the band Salamin; Gabriel Valenciano, a singer, keyboardist, dancer, and director; and Kiana Valenciano, a model and singer-songwriter. The family resides in Antipolo.
He is currently living with type 1 diabetes, and has been an endorser for several wellness products related to the condition. In May 2018, Valenciano started feeling ill after a performance with his son Gabriel for the celebration of his 35th anniversary in showbiz on ABS-CBN's Sunday afternoon show ASAP, and had to undergo open heart surgery due to blockage of his left anterior descending artery caused by his diabetes. The procedure was successfully performed on May 6, 2018, and he was released from the hospital by May 12.
On April 17, 2019, Valenciano's mother died in Orlando, Florida, after battling pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and H1N1 flu.

## Filmography
### Movies

| Year | Film | Role | Studio | Notes |
| 1984 | Hotshots | Mike | Viva Films | Valenciano's first movie appearance |
| 1986 | Horsey-horsey: Tigidig-tigidig | Tommy | Regal Films | |
| 1986 | Payaso | | Sialina Film Enterprises | cameo appearance |
| 1987 | Di bale na lang | Nelson | Seiko Films | |
| 1987 | Maria Went to Town | Fernando | Regal Films | |
| 1988 | Ibulong mo sa Diyos | Gilbert | Regal Films | |
| 1988 | Rock-a-Bye Baby | Mike | Seiko Films | |
| 1988 | Natutulog Pa Ang Diyos | Mark Vilchez | Seiko Films | |
| 1990 | Kung Tapos na ang Kailanman | Jeric Israel | Seiko Films | |
| 1990 | Papa's Girl | Raffy | Regal Films | |
| 1990 | Pangako ng Puso | Gerry Cortez | Regal Films | |
| 1991 | Kaputol Ng Isang Awit | Johnny Abrigo | Viva Films | |
| 1995 | Hataw na | Robbie Mohica | Star Cinema | |
| 1996 | SPO1 Don Juan: Da Dancing Policeman | Bicycle Cop | Neo Films | |
| 2005 | Gary V: Music Video Collection | Himself | | Valenciano's music video collection |
| 2007 | The Bicycle (Gulong) | Tito Lito | Cinemalaya | |
| 2011 | Subject: I Love You | Choy | Radiant Studios | Based on the "I Love You" computer virus of 2000 |
| 2012 | I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! | Nick Fuentebella | Unitel Pictures and Studio 5 | Won Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) |

### Television

| Year | TV program | Role | Notes | Network |
| 1988, 1990, 1992 | Ryan Ryan Musikahan | Himself | Guest Performer | ABS-CBN |
| 1994 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Sendong | "Sandcastle" Season 3 episode 33 | ABS-CBN |
| 1995 | CBN Asia Holy Week Special | | | GMA Network |
| 1996 | Ikaw, Ako at Ang Awit | Adrian | GMA Telesine Specials | GMA Network |
| 1997–2003 | SOP | Himself | Main host/performer | GMA Network |
| 2001–2002 | Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin | Ricky Lopez | cameo appearance |
| 2003–present | ASAP | Himself | Main host/performer | ABS-CBN / Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 |
| 2006 | Sa Ngalan Ng Anak: A CBN Asia Holy Week Special | | | GMA Network |
| 2009 | May Bukas Pa | | Guest |
| 2010 | The X Factor Philippines | | Judge |
| 2010–present | It's Showtime | Himself | Magpasikat 2010 Head Judge TNT 1-6 Head Judge Magpasikat 2021 Head Judge |
| 2010 | Gulong: A CBN Asia Holy Week Special | | | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Twist and Shout | Himself | Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin | Himself | Guest / Wedding singer | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Walang Hanggan | Himself | Guest / Wedding singer | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | The Voice of the Philippines | Himself | trust adviser of Sarah Geronimo | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1 | Himself | Jury | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2 | Himself | Jury | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids Season 1 | Himself | Jury | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Himself | Guest / Wedding Singer | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids Season 2 | Himself | Jury | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | World of Dance Philippines | Himself | Judge | ABS-CBN |
| 2021 | Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 3 | Himself | Jury | Kapamilya Channel / A2Z |
| 2022 | Idol Philippines (season 2) | Himself | Judge | Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 |

## Awards and nominations
### Music

| Year | Award giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
| 1996 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Total Entertainer of the Year | — | Won |
| 1998 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Best Male Singer | — | Won |
| 2002 | MTV Pilipinas Music Award | Favorite Male Video | "Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile" | Won |
| 2003 | Aliw Awards | Best Male Concert Performer | "XXTREME" | Won |
| 2004 | 17th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Duet | "Sana Maulit Muli"(with Kyla) | Won |
| 2006 | 19th Aliw Awards | Best Male Performer in a Major Concert | "Thankful" | Won |
| 2006 | 19th Aliw Awards | Entertainer of the Year | — | Won |
| 2006 | 19th Aliw Awards | Hall of Fame | — | Won |
| 2007 | 20th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "In Another Lifetime" | Won |
| 2007 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Male Artist | — | Nominated |
| 2007 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Mellow Video | "You Give Me Reason" | Nominated |
| 2008 | 21st Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (Performance Award) | "Sana Maulit Muli" | Won |
| 2008 | 21st Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Duet | "Hard Habit To Break" with Jed Madela | Won |
| 2008 | 21st Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (People's Choice Award) | "Sana Maulit Muli" | Nominated |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Best Ballad Recording | "When I Hear You Call" | Won |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Best Collaboration | "Letting Go" with Powerplay feat. Mon Faustino | Won |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "When I Hear You Call" | Nominated |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Best Dance Recording | "Shout For Joy Gabriel Valenciano Mix)" | Nominated |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Best Inspirational/Religious Recording | "When I Hear You Call" | Nominated |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Best Musical Arrangement | "When I Hear You Call" | Nominated |
| 2009 | 22nd Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year | "When I Hear You Call" | Nominated |
| 2009 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Male Concert Performer of the Year | "Gary Live@25" | Won |
| 2010 | 23rd Awit Awards | Best Ballad Recording | "Tayong Dalawa" | Won |
| 2010 | 23rd Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "How Can I" | Nominated |
| 2010 | 23rd Awit Awards | Best Collaboration | "As 1" with Martin Nievera | Nominated |
| 2010 | 23rd Awit Awards | Album of the Year | "As 1" with Martin Nievera | Nominated |
| 2010 | 23rd Awit Awards | Best Rock/Alternative Recording | "AYT" with Sponge Cola | Nominated |
| 2010 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Male Recording Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2011 | 24th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "Did It Ever" & "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo" | Nominated |
| 2011 | 24th Awit Awards | Best Ballad Recording Artist | "Kung Tayo' Magkakalayo" | Nominated |
| 2011 | 24th Awit Awards | Best Christmas Recording | "Ngayong Pasko Magniningning ang Pilipino" with Toni Gonzaga & University of Santo Tomas Singers | Nominated |
| 2012 | 25th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" | Nominated |
| 2013 | 26th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" | Won |
| 2013 | 26th Awit Awards | Best Ballad Recording | "Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" | Won |
| 2013 | 26th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "In Your Eyes" | Nominated |
| 2014 | 6th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Male Recording Artist of the Year | — | Won |
| 2014 | 6th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Concert of the Year | Arise 3.0 | Won |
| 2015 | 46th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Male Concert Performer of the Year | Arise 3.0 | Won |
| 2015 | 28th Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | "Saytay," "Kapalaran" | Nominated |
| 2015 | 28th Awit Awards | Album of the Year | "With You" | Nominated |
| 2015 | 28th Awit Awards | Best Inspirational/Religious Recording | "Ipagpatuloy Mo, Galing ng Pilipino" | Won |
| 2015 | 28th Awit Awards | Best Dance Recording, Best Inspirational/Religious Recording | "Saytay" | Nominated |
| 2015 | 28th Awit Awards | Best Song Written For Movie/TV/Stage Play | "Ipagpatuloy Mo, Galing ng Pilipino" | Won |
| 2016 | 8th PMPC Star Awards for Music | Concert of the Year | "Gary V. Presents" | Nominated |
| 2016 | 8th PMPC Star Awards for Music | Compilation Album of the Year | "GOLD" | Won |
| 2017 | 8th Eduk Circle Awards | Most Influential Concert Performer | "Love in Motion" | Won |
| 2017 | 8th Eduk Circle Awards | Best Male Music Artist | "Wag Ka Nang Umiyak" | Nominated |
| 2018 | 9th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement Award | (His overall contribution to OPM) | Won |
| 2018 | 9th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Best Album Design Cover of the Year | "Gary V. @ Primetime" | Won |
| 2018 | 9th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Compilation Album of the Year | "Gary V. @ Primetime" | Nominated |
| 2018 | 9th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Concert of the Year | "Love in Motion" | Nominated |
| 2019 | 10th PMPC Star Awards For Music | Male Recording Artist of the Year | "Ililigtas Ka Niya" | Nominated |

### Film and television
#### FAMAS

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1988 | Ibulong mo sa Diyos | Best Theme Song | Won |
| 1995 | Sana Maulit Muli | Best Theme Song | Won |
| 2000 | | Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award | Won |
| 2006 | "Ikaw Lamang" for the movie Dubai | Best Theme Song | Won |

#### Golden Screen TV Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2006 | Ikaw Lamang | Best Theme Song | Won |
| 2011 | ASAP Rocks | Outstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety Program | Nominated |
| 2013 | I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! | Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role-Musical or Comedy | Nominated |

### Other accolades

* First artist in the world to have a Sennheiser Special Edition microphone named after him – Sennheiser Evolution Series 2001
* First and current UNICEF National Ambassador of Goodwill in the Philippines, 1998–present
* Stargate People Asia 2024 Men Who Matter - Legacy Awardee