Mr. Pure Energy is A-OK.

After worrying fans and observers with cryptic messages on social media about his health, singer Gary Valenciano has emerged alive and kicking.

It’s a known fact that Gary is afflicted with life-threatening diseases, such as diabetes, and has been confined in hospital due to dengue, tuberculosis, and other illnesses. He has even undergone surgery for a heart condition.

But he has maintained a healthy lifestyle, a positive attitude, and harmonious, cheerful bonds with the people around him, making life so much easier despite his diabetes, which was diagnosed when he was only 14 years old.  

By now his fans would have read his holiday greetings on IG along with words of inspiration from the Bible, indicating his current state of wellbeing:

“Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Psalms 103:11-13

Higher than the highest heavens—

that’s how high your tender mercy extends!

Greater than the grandeur of heaven above
is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all
who fear you and bow down before you!
Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset—
that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us.

The same way a loving father feels toward his children—
that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us,

your beloved children, who live in awe of you.

No words … just fulfillment, gratitude, and thanksgiving in my heart even now.”

And just before Christmas while he was rumored to be in dire health, Gary had a fun time with the Eraserheads at the band’s “Huling El Bimbo” reunion concert last Thursday under his son Paolo Valenciano’s direction at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City.

Gary was at the technical booth when he was called, and he went onstage and jammed with E-heads frontman Ely Buendia. “This was one event we all waited for … and it’s one event we all will never forget. How could one not get emotional after celebrating life and music this way with this band?” he said.

Then he congratulated the band and his son for a job well done.

‘Help me, Lord’

In his past cryptic message, seemingly unmindful of what it could mean to his followers, Gary said: “Lord … I’m going to need your miraculous touch to get me through tonight and the next few nights to come. Help me not lose the sense and spirit of Christmas in the middle of all these challenges. Kindly help in keeping me healthy at all times Lord. In Your name Jesus I pray. Amen.”

But then immediately, he explained the context of what his post was all about regarding his health: “Hi everyone. Looks like my last tweet caused many to panic. My apologies. Thanks for your genuine concern. I’m on my way to getting much better friends. We all hit moments when our bodies just need to rest and I know that’s what I need. I love you all. Thanks again. I’m OK.” 

So what exactly was going on?

It turned out that hectic personal appearances and performances had been swamping Gary. According to his immediate family, he sang at a wedding, guested on the Asian TV Awards, performed at a Christmas party, attended sundry rehearsals, did tapings, etc.—all of which ended with him hoarse-voiced.

To clear the air of doubt and confusion, Gary’s wife, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, issued a lengthy official statement on the rumored bad shape of her husband:

“It is natural for a normal singer to get tired and weak and have throat issues but imagine one who has had so many medical challenges … so sometimes God wants us to rest, right? For a person who has been a Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic [daily for 16,000 days!!!], my husband is a medical miracle. And I thank God all the time for keeping him alive. Apart from diabetes he has had hepatitis, tuberculosis, 2 arthroscopic surgeries on his knees (think of this when he jumps in the air; trivia: he was a high jumper in [La Salle Green Hills’] track and field team), chicken pox (while recording his ‘Shout For Joy’ album), a cardiac bypass (open heart surgery) on May 6, 2018, kidney cancer discovered May 23, another procedure, and then partial kidney nephrectomy to take out the malignant fist-sized mass on June 13, 2018 … then dengue in 2021, Covid-19 in 2022 plus many hypoglycemia ER experiences ….whew!” 

Innocent post

Angeli continued with her long explainer:

“Sometimes Gary posts something innocently, airing his private thoughts, forgetting the uproar it could cause. Oh dear. From the 7-city USA tour of Gary and the Las Vegas ‘ASAP’ concert we had some time with Kiana as we rented a Newport Beach house to be with her and [were] later on joined by Gary’s brother Robby, his wife Jonni, Kiana’s special man Sandro, our nephew Donny and his friends.

“When we arrived in Manila we went straight to watch [the play] ‘Joseph the Dreamer’ so Gary could familiarize himself with the scenes … Imagine this … on the day we arrived! We rested a day then went back the next day, Sunday, to do the same. He agreed to do four show dates for two weekends but due to close-to-sold-out shows he accommodated two more on the second weekend! Four shows in one weekend! Oh my! I was ready to picket because I wanted to guard his health but he loves that project! Trumpets president Butch Jimenez and JTD project manager Jingay Kaimo kept laughing at me as they knew I wasn’t happy. Hello! Four 2-hour plays in two days?!!!!

“Monday the next day he was totally hoarse. I was not surprised. But a wife can only sigh and submit even if she doesn’t agree, right? (Girls, can I hear an amen?!!!) However, the sacrifice was such a blessing. Many were moved and touched, crying with realizations and inspirational experiences.” 

Truly hectic

Angeli went on to narrate Gary’s truly hectic schedule: 

“Then that week he sang at a wedding of a family friend (committed months before) on Nov 30, accommodated the request of dear friend Raymond Wong to guest in the Asian TV Awards with Gab on Dec 1, performed for the finale of the Belo Medical Christmas party, went on to do ‘ASAP’ rehearsals, live Sunday show, ABS-CBN tapings, and he ended with a tired voice. Even if it’s just one or two songs, the preparation is the same, although people sometimes think it’s so easy to do … simply because he makes it seem so easy when he performs.

“Naturally I am quite OC about his schedules. He bikes 60-100 kilometers sometimes … who wouldn’t react, right? I always say Gary thinks he’s Superman and I just pray to God to take care of him always. I can only sigh and thank God that he is alive while many diabetics his age have not been as fortunate … and this always breaks my heart.

“So to all who have texted and DM’d me, please don’t worry. Gary is in God’s Hands and there is no better place to be in, right? May I share a verse that has been my pillar of assurance: “Do not worry about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God, and the peace of God that transcends ALL UNDERSTANDING will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7)

“So why worry, right? Well … I do sometimes … but crying and prayer make everything easier to handle. Please don’t worry. So many have texted me and I have been unable to answer all of your messages…my wonderful friends, family, fans and industry colleagues. He is ok. I share some videos (Dec. 9 at the Ayala Corp. management party and Dec. 14 at the Dizon Farms’ 60th anniversary with his cardiologist Dr. Enrique Posas and wife Jeannie DiOn-P!) so you will be at peace!”