Gary Valenciano | |
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Gary Valenciano Singing in Toronto 2014
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Background information | |
Birth name | Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano |
Also known as | Gary V., Mr. Pure Energy |
Born |
Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines |
6 August 1964
Origin | Manila, Philippines |
Genres | Inspirational, pop, OPM |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, dancer |
Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, piano, drums |
Years active | 1983–present |
Labels | Former : WEA, Universal Records (Philippines) |
Website | GaryV.com |
Notable instruments | |
Sennheiser Microphone Gary V Edition |
Template:Philippine/Spanish name
Edgardo Jose "Gary" Santiago Valenciano (born 6 August 1964), also known Gary V. and Mr. Pure Energy, is a Filipino musician. Valenciano has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" eleven times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first National Ambassador. His most notable songs include "'Di Bale Na Lang" ("Never mind"), "Eto Na Naman" ("Here we go again"), "Sana Maulit Muli" ("I wish it happens again"), "Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?" ("Is God sleeping?"), "Gaya ng Dati" ("Just like before"), "Pasko Na, Sinta Ko" ("It's Christmas, my love"), "Narito" ("Here"), "Babalik Ka Rin" ("You'll return too"), "Di Na Natuto" ("Never learned"), "Shout for Joy", and "Take Me Out of the Dark".
He is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actors, and is frequently tapped to sing theme songs for the network's soap operas and in-house film arm, Star Cinema.
Gary Valenciano was given the ASAP Elite Platinum Circle Award for 2008 for his extraordinary achievements in the local music industry. In his 25 years in the music industry, he has been awarded five Platinum albums, four double Platinum albums, three triple Platinum albums, and two sextuple Platinum albums.
Gary Valenciano was born in Santa Mesa district of City of Manila on 6 August 1964. He is the sixth of seven children of Vicente Calacas Valenciano, a Bicolano from Camalig, Albay and Grimilda Santiago y Olmo, a Puerto Rican from Arecibo. His parents met in New York, married, and settled in Manila. His father is from Bicol, while 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.