HREE good and wonderful things are coming in Gary Valenciano's way: a well-deserved platinum award for his album "Pure Heart" under Star Records, a post-Valentine concert and series of tour in various parts of the world.
 
"I am blessed, truly blessed despite a couple of medical setbacks I suffered last year. I am 41 and as the saying goes, life begins at 40. I don't actually feel old but whenever I play with my two sons and my back aches, that's the only time I feel my age.
 
I had fears when I joined ASAP. But now, I can't believe I can mix with the young ones.
 
I communicate with them through my music and dance movements.
 
Somehow, our thoughts get easily connected. It has been two decades of concertising and doing records and I hope to do so for more decades to come.
 
I watched the plug of Andy Williams Valentine concert at the Araneta Coliseum and he is great. It would be nice to be like him when I reach 60." Gary wishes.
 
Gary is currently promoting a new single, the Jim Brickman-written "Destiny". Why this particular cut? "That's the only remaining track we have not pushed.
 
There's a lot of soul into it," he says. Other musical gems in the "Pure Heart" album includes a reworking of the Smokey Mountain hit "Kailan," "Ikaw Lamang," theme song of "Dubai," "Kailangan Kita," "Because of You," "Anak" and "How Did You Know," all movie themes. Then there's "Lipad ng Pangarap" (The Filipino Channel theme song for the year, the classic "Lift Up Your Hands" and "Gumising Na, Tayo'y Magkaisa." On February 5, the Platinum Record Award will be given to Gary in "ASAP." Produced by Star Records, "Pure Heart" is on its way to being a double platinum. This year, Gary hopes to come out with a concert package a collection of concerts he has done for the past years. It would sum up to one thing: beautiful and inspiring music and warm memories accumulated through the years.
 
On Feb. 18 and 19, Gary will hold a post Valentine show with Zsa Zsa Padilla and you can expect a sizzling femme fatale in the person of Zsa Zsa who doesn't hide the fact that she underwent enhancement process which would qualify her as one of the sexiest songstress at 40. Called "Faces of Love 2", it will be hold at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City .
 
Gary is slated to tour Europe, USA , Canada , Australia and Europe this year. Is he not keen on doing movies? Or probably a teleserye? For the record, Gary has appeared in 11 photoplays, two of which were megged by the late Lino Brocka.   

He answered by throwing another question: What do you think would be a good role for me to play? We thought of a young priest who falls in love. He gave us a puzzled look and we knew it wasn't a good idea. Well, let's play around with the Von Trapp family. And Kuh Ledesma as Maria?

AMERICAN IDOL HEATING UP

"AMERICAN Idol" is back and indeed it takes all kinds of contestant's aiming to become one. Those who auditioned are either the best and worst voices we heard.
 
They even argue with Simon Cowell who can't take NO for an answer. They all come in various shapes and sizes and outrageous attires. A male contestant held an istampita of Sto. Niño hoping his wish of passing the audition would be granted just as his mother prayed for a son.
 
Simon may be cruel and harsh but his remarks are justified. Most of the times, Paula and Randy doesn't agree with Simon and an exchange of unkind words erupts. We wonder whether this is just an act to heat up the show. We hope the judges of our local singing search will not do a similar act.

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