| The Healing Power of Gary V's Songs
Recently, I received an e-mail from Angeli
Pangilinan-Valenciano, head honcho of Genesis Entertainment. Of course, she
is best known as the dear wife-cum-manager of pop icon, Gary Valenciano.
I did ask permission if I can publish this letter because it actually moved
me to tears and I believe it's going to inspire our dear readers as well.
I was overwhelmed with the story of one of Gary's followers. And I am sharing
it with all of you.
First let me start with Angeli's brief
note to us. She wrote:
"Sometimes I wonder why God chose me to be
Gary's wife. The responsibility is awesome. It is amazing how his songs have
touched millions. Here is a miraculous story of healing that is a MUST-READ
to make us all realize how special the anointing and calling of Gary really
is and to remember to pray for us all the time. To you who have helped pray,
promote his songs, or just been there as a friend...I share this amazing
testimony of a Gary V fan who met an accident, went into coma, recovered
and who decided to post a message on his website www.garyv.com. Please scroll
below to read a truly wonderful story of healing. This made me cry. Much
love and gratitude, and glory to Jesus, Angeli. |
Here now is the letter from Gary's fan,
Rhea Araujo of Atlantic City, New Jersey:
Hi, Gary!
Just writing this e-mail to say Thank you
so much!, I love all your songs, got some cds that I always keep on playing
whatever kind of emotions I have. If I'm happy I'll play "Shout for Joy"
; whenever I'm down I'l always play "I'll Be Here;" when things turn out
differently than I've Imagined, I play "Lead Me Lord."
Last June 19, 2006 early morning about to
go to work I had a terrible accident, I was driving east bound when a drunk
driver from west bound lane with no reason at all crossed over east lane
and hit me, head on collision. I was trapped in my car, been revived, brought
to trauma center via helicopter. I had massive multiple injuries, brain trauma,
broken facial bones, maxilla/mandible, ribs and the whole right leg was crushed,
underwent surgeries, had my mouth wired shut, metal implants in my right
leg, been in a coma for a week, been on a respirator... while in ICU my family
brought all the CDs that I love, your CD "Revive" was one of them that they
keep on playing.
"I woke up from the coma, I was just seeing
shadows I was almost blind I felt an excruciating pain, and in the air I
heard your song "Lead Me Lord" I cried, but I still don't know what was going
on somebody noticed me and my family were beside me and I was told about
what happened. I could not say anything, my mouth is wired-shut but I know
I'll be alright after hearing your song. I stayed in ICU for a month and
transferred to Rehab facility stayed for a month and a half with tracheostomy
helping me to breathe, mouth still wired shut, unable to move been on the
wheelchair and leg brace to help stabilize my right leg but I keep going
I know I can't give up I 've got this far, what motivates me was I believe
in Him, and your songs played a big part coz I almost give up, I keep on
praying and by just playing the "Revive" CD let me stay on track. So when
I saw your advertisement, 3 months ago, I said I have to get better and see
him in concert, you were my motivation. I did, I'm just using a cane to help
me move around, no more wired-mouth, no more tracheostomy, my eyesight was
restored but I have to wear an eyepatch due to double vision, but I saw you
clearly using one eye last Saturday Nov. 11, I saw you in concert before
but the feeling that I felt seeing you again was so different, I am so happy
and so thankful to see you. I cried listening to every word you said and
hearing you sing the "Take Me Out of the Dark." Maraming maraming Salamat
po! Thank you for teaching me to re-learn how to live again and to keep more
in touch w/ the Lord. Hope to see you again... Take care!
Not one to simply take this letter sitting
down, Gary gave Rhea an immediate reply. And Gary V wrote back:
Hello Rhea,
All I can say is "O my GOOD LORD!!!!" Your
email almost made
me weep as I sit here in the little office at home.
Rhea, please know that your accident was not of the Lord. His ways are far
above ours but they are, in no way, set to harm us but to help us. I thank
Him not for the accident but for the protection He gave you during that accident.
I wish I could've met you that night.
Even as I write this email, I still can't
imagine how God used the songs to speak into your heart at a time when you
yourself could not speak. His ways are magnificent. Even now I pray for complete
healing and restoration, not to be restored to your past condition, but rather
beyond that. You held on to Him and by His wounds on that cross,
you.....are.....most.....certainly....healed.
I will let my wife know about your story and
I'm sure together we will say a prayer for you. Prepare yourself even now
my friend for the Lord is already opening up new adventures, new doors, fantastic
opportunities, and blessings for you beyond what you can contain.
I hope to meet you someday. Thanks for watching
the concert and truly energizing me with your story. You too are a living
miracle and I am blessed.
with you in Jesus, Gary V |
The e-mails ended with Rhea being very thankful
to God who helped her get through the very rough time by using Gary's songs.
Rhea added that the situation helped her become a better person as well as
a better nurse.
Once in a while, letters and emails such as
these are a welcome change in the world of show business. Beyond the glamour
and glitz of the biz, we can always count on artists who are there to show
us there is always the other kind of "glitter of light" which brings hope
in every predicament we encounter.
To Angeli, Gary and Rhea - thank you for sharing
your stories to us. It is totally uplifting and I believe our dear readers
feel likewise!
Make Way for Vienna!
Have you heard about this young, female rocker
called Vienna? She is one of our very own? I was so intrigued with Vienna
when music producer, Brad Morehouse sent us some materials about the latter.
Here is one Filipino artist who is actually making a name for herself in
mainstream America.
 Vienna made a big leap in her music career when
she flew to the US in 2005. She was discovered by an Artist management company
in America and was granted the O-1 Visa (a special visa granted to Scientists
with awards or Artist with extra ordinary abilities). "It was a tough decision
I have to make. It's hard to leave my family and my friends and all my loved
ones back in the Philippines. My fans I will miss so much too. But I believe
God is pointing me towards this direction. It's a real challenge for my singing
career and my growth as a person…and I'm willing to take it because
this is my ministry and if it takes for me to go to America to have the voice
I needed to help my fellow Filipinos back home, then so be it," Vienna stated
in a recent interview.
Vienna was born and raised in the Philippines.
She is the 7th child in a family of 10. Her passion for singing started when
she joined a small town singing contest at the age of 9, she didn't win first
prize but a fire in her heart was lit and a dream was born.
She struggled to reach for her dreams. And
with faith, perseverance and countless practice and polish, Vienna finally
found her voice.
Vienna debuted on stage as a female Judas
on the Rock Opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" when she joined Repertory Philippines
(Philippines' Broadway). After a year in Musical theatre, she discovered
her talent for song writing.
Vienna's passion for music led her to produce
album after album which included her last two CD's (Double Meaning and Vienna:
Neon Green Light). Vienna also produced and wrote nine of the songs for a
Philippine boy band called DNA with their So Real album.
In 2003, Vienna's journey in the music biz
began when she was discovered by an Independent record label in the Philippines,
Imagine Productions, Inc. She did a TV show with them called BPM which lasted
for one season. She also made 14 music videos and did several concert tours
and TV appearances around the Philippines. Vienna also landed a music deal
with Ani21 co. ltd. (a South Korean film-based company) to write and sing
the theme song for their upcoming international 3-D animation movie,
"Rosemarine".
Vienna continued to write songs for animations
like she did with Initial D, a popular anime in Japan. They released the
album SUPER EUROBEAT: Initial D fourth Stage D Selection which included two
of Vienna's original compositions.
On September of this year, Vienna signed up
with a new management company called Inferno Music Group. Inferno Music Group
is a company that is headed by Will Covington who formerly headed Entertainment
Galore, Inc. EGI Records from 1979 till 2000. Some of EGI Records' projects
include entertainment for the 1995 Super Bowl (Miami) and Summer Olympics
(Miami) which followed. EGI has promoted concerts with The O'Jays, Billy
Paul, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Bill Summers and Summer's Heat, Shirley
Caesar, Richard Smallwood and the Smallwood Singers, Dorothy Norwood, Chi'lites,
Betty Wright, and Timmy Thomas among many others.
What also proved to be a memorable project
for Vienna is a music video she did to help search for the missing children
around the United States. Vienna teamed up with Music Producer Brad Morehouse
and Music Video Director, Marty to come up with the missing children video.
Vienna's original song "I Wish" from her album "Vienna: Revolution" is the
featured song for this video. The producers behind the project felt that
the song "I Wish" plays a vital role in the music video in search of the
missing children. The words and the music in this song speak for its purpose.
"The team and I are hoping that this music video will help promote the awareness
that there are thousands of children missing around the United States and
we all should work together as a team to find ways and solutions to prevent
this unfortunate circumstances from happening" Vienna remarked. "We're pouring
out our hearts on this project hoping that it will be a great tool to help
find those Missing Children. Please help support this cause, visit the "Missing
Children" video website at
www.missingchildrenvideo.com
Year 2006, she released her latest album Vienna:
Revolution at a Benefit Concert at the J.W. Marriott Resort in Las Vegas
on New Year's Eve.
She recently performed at the Mahalia Jackson
Hall in Oregon and was featured as a special guest singer at a World Premiere
show held in Paragould, Arkansas.
When asked what her plans are for the future,
"I'm the kind of person who lives for the moment. Everyday I'm grateful to
God for all the wonderful blessings He has given me. Life is too short to
even worry about tomorrow, I let tomorrow worry about itself", Vienna said
in a closing statement.
Very well said, Vienna. I wish you luck and
continue the good work. Your success is also the success of all your kababayan!
(Ed’s note: Jackie Regala-Katigbak
has been writing and doing promotions in the entertainment business since
the 1980s. The past two decades saw her columns and articles published in
the Philippines via the Manila Bulletin, Panorama, Manila Standard and Philippine
Times Journal. Currently her articles are published by www.CarouselPinoy.com,
the Asian Journal publications and in various newspapers in Southern California.
For correspondence, you may send her an email at
JackieRegala@verizon.net.
Thank you.) |
