Paul Christian Ocampo

Gary Valenciano shares bits of wisdom about humility, decision-making, self-care

Article (news)

Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

<p>Veteran singer-songwriter Gary Valenciano’s wisdom was overflowing during his recent guesting on P-pop kings SB19’s “Times First” podcast.  </p><p>The one-hour podcast, which can be accessed on Spotify, was filled with valuable pieces of advice rooted from the life experiences and long thriving career of the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) legend. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJtyWq2TPVY/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=648&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A7754662.2%2C%22ls%22%3A3647784.0999999996%2C%22le%22%3A3647790.4%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>Humility </strong></div><p>One of the notable pieces of advice that Gary imparted to the SB19 members was the “spirit of humility,” noting that it is a key to a lasting career.  </p><p>“That is something that you have to take with you through time, the spirit of humility,” he said. “Because once you lose that and once you get to the point na ‘okay na ‘to,’ ang magiging problema natin, nating lahat, ay ‘pwede na yan, okay na yan,’ wala na ‘yung drive to be excellent.&quot;</p><p>According to Gary, there is a thin line between excellence and perfection, but he stressed that “it takes time to learn that.” </p><p>“When your feet are deeply rooted on the ground, kahit paos (ang) boses mo, kahit may pilay ka, kahit masugatan ka, may bukol ka sa mukha, you can still come up with an excellent show, even if it’s not perfect,” he explained.  </p><p> Despite being a veteran, Gary admitted that he still feels pressured every time he performs on stage.  </p><p>“It’s still there especially now at my age,” he said. “I’m 60, I’ll be 61 in August. So, when I’m invited to a place (comprised) mostly (of) young people, I’m thinking ‘Are they going to enjoy what I will do or are they just going to be respectful?” </p><p>But Gary always reminds himself of what he calls a “higher purpose.” </p><p>“But even if that happens, I have to look at a higher purpose na hindi ako iimbitahin sa isang event kung hindi sila naniniwala na meron akong ma-co-contribute sa event na ‘yun,” he elaborated.  </p><p>Those humbling encounters led to some realizations that the OPM legend shared in the podcast.  </p><p>“It keeps my feet on the ground when I feel that way. It makes me come out on stage, relying on Him a little more,” he said.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Decision-making </strong></div><p>During the sit-down interview, Gary recalled a childhood experience, which he considers as one of the most difficult moments of his life, where his decision-making was put to test.  </p><p>He revealed that at the age of 14, his parents separated, and he was forced to move to the United States with his mother. However, his heart since then belonged to Philippines, saying that he would cry every night as he wanted to come home.  </p><p>According to him, his dilemma was deciding whether to stay with his mom or go back home and leave her.  </p><p>“That for me was one of the hardest times of my life,” he said. “It wasn’t diabetes, I wasn’t the [heart bypass surgery] I got in 2018 and all. It was making a choice between mom and dad.” </p><p>“But I think I made the right choice, it was hard, but if I didn’t come back, none of these (happened), I wouldn’t be here now,” he added. </p><p>Noting the “not all decisions are easy,” Gary emphasized on the allowing God’s intervention when making decisions.</p><p>“Let’s say when you pray, and you know that God says, ‘now is the time you have to make a decision,’ hindi niya ibibigay sa&#x27;yo kung anong decision ‘yun. ‘But I’m giving you time to make a decision, can you make it now? Oh, you made that decision? Anak, tama ang decision mo but that’s going to hurt. But I’m going you time to heal, I’m going give time and you will have all the time with me if you choose it,’” he elaborated.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Self-care </strong></div><p>The veteran singer-songwriter, who had been battling with diseases in the past years, also emphasized the importance of investing time for self-care.  </p><p>“Since we’re talking about time, I think you really have to put time into taking care of yourself,” he said. “I don’t have to go through the rundown of what I’ve gone through and what I’m going through, but I do take time to take care of myself.” </p><p>“I take time to ride my bike. Kakagaling lang namin sa Cebu noong isang araw, and from the airport, bike lang ako pauwi. ‘Yung mga tipong ganon. I watch my diet, I take the right medications, I go to the doctor, nagpapa-checkup ako, and this is the result of all of that. And of course there’s prayer involved,” he added.  </p><p>Gary also has advice for those who are hesitating to seek medical aid.  </p><p>“You have to make time, those who are watching right now, lalo na pagdating sa health, you have to make time to go and get yourself checked,&quot; he said. “[Some would say:] ‘Natatakot ako kasi meron akong nararamdaman.’ Eh mas okay nga ‘yun eh. Ibig sabihin may time na maagapan kung ano man ‘yung problemang ‘yun.&quot;</p><p>&quot;You make time to see the doctor, kung sabihin [sa&#x27;yo] na ‘alam mo may medyo may problema tayo rito,’ mas maganda na makarinig ka ng ganon kesa ‘alam mo wala na tayong magagawa, tapos na, may katapusan na ang buhay mo,&quot; he added. </p><p>The OPM icon also shared his greatest realization regarding health. </p><p>“Natutunan ko rin na when you find something wrong with your body, your body is telling you ‘It’s time to go and have yourself checked,” he shared.  </p>

<p>Veteran singer-songwriter Gary Valenciano shares valuable advice that are rooted from his life experience and career in the podcast of SB19. </p>

Veteran singer-songwriter Gary Valenciano shares valuable advice that are rooted from his life experience and career in the podcast of SB19.