Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano promises a performance full of emotional moments and unforgettable memories as he stages the "One Last Time" concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on April 26 and 27.

During an interview in Quezon City recently, Gary V revealed that this would be the last time he would perform solo in larger venues to embrace new ways of connecting with fans. But this is not a goodbye concert, he reiterated.

"I'm also human. I'm 59. Kunyari hindi ganyan ang title, 'One Last Time,' the next time I would do a concert in a coliseum or arena, it will probably be in two years. I'll be 61 by then. I don't want the people to put their hands together and say, 'Magaling pero humihina na siya, no? Hingal na hingal na siya pero magaling!' Ayokong umabot ng ganun," said Gary V.

The OPM icon added: "And my body is feeling that, especially in big stages. Kasi iba yung dynamic in a school or in an auditorium of 2,000 people. But with 10,000 people, it's not that easy. It has nothing to do with health. My health is really good. It's just knowing when it's time to move on.

"So, I'm not retiring. I will still be performing concerts. Let's say the Manila Bulletin or the Philippine Star would invite me to perform, tara! ABS-CBN, GMA Network, let's go! Would you like to invite me? Game! Let's go!

"But if it's in a big venue, only people who perform in big venues will understand what it takes to do something like that. So I call it 'One Last Time' because I want it to be the last big, solo, hataw na, all-out show. It has to end here, but I can enjoy intimate shows," Gary V said.

Physical changes

After four decades in the entertainment industry, Gary V stated that he currently has a full plate in terms of career plans.

"I still want to do many things, so this is just a part of it. And the other things I want to do are exciting!" he said.

"I don't think slowing down is the right term because I'm still going on tour. I will be in 'ASAP US' in August, then I will go on tour. We might do a repeat of Back at the Museum. 

"Then, I plan to do an online show featuring songwriters. These are not singers. They are singer-songwriters. When I did Idol Philippines last year, most people who auditioned were songwriters.

"I don't think I will be dancing less, but the venue should be smaller. Paolo (Valenciano) even told me that, considering my age, only some people can do what I do," the multi-awarded musician said.

Gary V admitted that performing in a big venue at his age is challenging, and he strives to be honest.

"It's strange because when I watch the videos, I can see people enjoying, ako naman, I have a high standard for myself. So next time, gagawin ko yun, but it's tiring. Sabi ng ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan, 'Gary, you're Mr Pure Energy, but your son Gab is Mr. Renewable Energy. He never runs out of energy. But I'm open about that with people.

"There are moments when it takes me longer to recuperate. Like after a big, two-hour concert, dapat the next day walang schedule yan. But the next day, I was allowed to play golf. But I don't even bike or workout because it takes longer for my body to recuperate," he said.

The Filipino-Puerto Rican artist acknowledged that he would miss performing in a massive venue like the MOA or Araneta Coliseum.

"It's going to be emotional for me. I remember when I watched 'Regine Rocks,' pagpasok ko sa MOA, at narinig ko yung mga tao. Talaga bang you're going to give this up? Hindi mo mamimiss ito? And I really will miss it. But my body says, 'There are other things you can do.' "

"I remember sitting down, mga nasa fourth song na siya, umalis siya. Then tumugtog yung band, meron sa tabi ko, in mid 30s. Sabi, 'Sir, can I have a selfie with you?' Sabi ko, 'Sure, why not?' At habang nagpi-picture kami, sabi niya, 'Sir sorry hindi kami nakapanood ng concert ninyo sa Music Museum kasi wala ng tickets. But we're going to watch you here (MOA). We found out its your last concert here. Why?'

"I looked at her and said, "I know it's hard to say goodbye to this. But you know, at the age of 59, it's hard. Then she stopped me and said, 'You're 59?' So I understand. I don't even know this person. But she understands," he recalled.

Gary's vision

During the press conference, Gary V hinted at a vision he saw in 2008. He kept it for years, but now he's ready to divulge it during the show in April.

"There is a vision. I don't want to get spiritual here. In 2008, I experienced a vision. I was wide awake with my wife. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I saw this big place. And it wasn't because my sugar level was low; I was fully conscious because it was so vivid that I could tell in detail what that vision was. That vision would be shared in this concert.

"And that vision won't just be shared; people will see what I saw. Hopefully, that will make people go, 'Okay, we understand now why it's the last time of this scale.' It's not to sound spiritual or anything. But it happened in 2008. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit. What was that all about? But lately, yung mga nangyayari sa akin, yun yun eh.

"When you are given a vision, it will happen in the future. As to when it's going to happen, siya lang ang makaka-alam noon. It happened in 2008, and it's happening now," said Gary V.

If there would be a repeat of "One Last Time," Gary V said it would be perfect if it were held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"Sabi nga ni Angeli, 'How would you repeat kung 'One Last Time?' If there would be a repeat at the Araneta Coliseum, that would be great because that's where it all started.

"Minsan binibiro ko yung ibang tao, '40 years na ako sa industry, hindi niyo pa ako napanood?' This is the culminating event of my 40 years in showbiz," he said.

Face to Face

Gary V also shared his advocacy for young people, which he calls "Face to Face," where he interacts with high school and college students.

"I have an advocacy for young people, and it's called 'Face to Face.' When I say young, mga high schoolers and college students. But not sabay. That in itself is already part of that vision. I didn't know it was all part of it.

"When you're talking to young people, they don't even know you but know you kasi narinig nila yung kanta mo with your mom or maybe their lola or lolo. But they listen to part of the song lang.

Through Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc., Gary V is on a mission to visit universities to fulfill his vision of motivating and inspiring the youth as he reaches out to them by enabling and empowering them through “Face to Face."

During his interactions with young people, he discussed relevant and timely questions that the students can reflect on as they start their journey in life after college. Gay V shared his insights and experiences on overcoming their day-to-day challenges and related them through his songs.

Last year, Gary V marked his 100th solo show at the Music Museum in his wildly successful sold-out 10-night concert series Gary V: Back At The Museum.

It was extended twice from an initial run of four shows in August 2023, underscoring his enduring appeal and the impact of his music and performances. During his most recent North American tour, he received multiple standing ovations from jam-packed audiences.

When asked how he feels about his success in the industry, Gary said, "I'll put it in one word. Kayo na ang bahala mag research what the word really means. It's called blessed. I don't deserve it, but that's what's been happening. I think it's going to continue for the years to come. I will be on the stage with thousands of people I have touched in their lives."

Tickets for Pure Energy: One Last Time are in high demand, and to make tickets available for the fans, the SM MOA Arena team reconfigured the venue seat plan six times to better accommodate the requests of ticket buyers. SM Tickets sold out all the premium seats on the weekend the tickets were released online. 

The Manila Genesis team, Gary’s production and management group for 38 years, together with SM MOA Arena’s ticketing team, has requested the fans to be patient as they try their best to adjust the massive stage design and video screens to open up more seats for sale.

For more information and exciting updates, follow Gary Valenciano on Instagram and TikTok (@garyvalenciano) and Twitter (@GaryValenciano1); like him on Facebook (Gary Valenciano); and subscribe to him on YouTube (GaryValencianoOfficial) and Threads (@garyvalenciano).