Gary Valenciano a.k.a Mr Pure Energy has always been known as a powerful performer, a burst of energy on stage. But behind the scenes, there’s a quieter and more tender side to him that takes over when he talks about family. This Father’s Day, we asked Mr. Pure Energy a few questions that got him looking back at his own childhood and forward to the beautiful moments he now shares with his kids.
When asked about something his own father used to do that he now catches himself doing, Gary thought of their old home videos. His dad had this habit of documenting every family moment through film cameras, especially during Christmas when they’d all gather together for portraits or just random little scenes around the house. And when they’d play the films back, they could see their family growing right in front of their eyes, memory by memory.
It’s a tradition Gary has carried into his own family, only now through digital video, and though he’s the one behind the lens most of the time, he’s not complaining as it actually makes him feel even closer to his dad.
And to this day, those old clips remain precious to him. “Hanggang ngayon ’pag pinapanood ko ’yung mga films, siyempre, ’yung mga memories nandu’n pa rin lahat, nakatago at buhay na buhay pa sa puso ko.” The OPM icon also loves showing those old films alongside his own to his kids.
There’s a certain joy Gary gets from seeing his kids in their element. When asked what his children do that reminds him of himself, Gary shared all three of his children, in their own way, reflect different pieces of who he is.
His daughter Kiana writes songs. His son Gabriel is a performer. And Paolo, his eldest, works behind the scenes as a director, which reminds Gary of the time he would make his own little short stories using claymation and special effects. “When I see them doing these,” he mused, “it reminds me very much of me.” For Gary, watching parts of himself unfold in his children is what makes fatherhood feel even more special.
*Photos credit to Gary Valenciano IG