Celebrity L.A. Scene by Oliver Carnay

Gary Valenciano started his career in 1983. Since then he has reigned for years in the concert scene and recording industry, receiving accolades in Asia and the international Fil-Am circuit. To this date, the consummate artist is still the busiest performer outside the Philippines.

Gary V summarized his 20 years (going on 21) and performed to a very enthusiastic crowd, more than two and a half hours of non-stop well-layered craftsmanship, tossed up endearing pops and delivered more at the Shrine concert in L.A. last June 11, the first of his four-leg 2004 U.S. tour.

The versatile performer teamed up with special guest Brian McKnight (who received a standing ovation before and after a three-song performance) and performed a duet with the latter's hit song "One Last Cry."

Gary V's highlights seemed never-ending, with the inclusion of son Gabriel (his successor?) strutting with Maneouvers members Joshua Zamora and Brian Rosal, and jamming on drums onstage; a duet with daughter Kiana (showing a pre-taped video) sung-along to the tune of the Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is The Love"; and of course, an array of songs which catapulted his phenomenal career.

Songs from the 70's, 80's, 90's and from his "Revive" album, it was refreshing to hear "memory lane" repertoires (Each Passing Night, Narito Ang Puso Ko, Take Me Out of the Dark, etc.); a tribute to Al Jarreau (an awesome rendition of one of the icon's signature songs). Gary also gave credits to brothers -- musical director Mon Faustino and composer Tats, with two back-up vocalists (May Ann Casal and Melissa Fontano). The icon also sang "How Did You Know" (theme song from the latest hit Aga Muhlach-Kristine Hermosa starrer, Star Cinema's All My Life).

Mixing up pop, the inclusion of Warrior Is A Child, with danceable tunes (Wag Mo Na Sana'ng Isipin, Hataw Na, Shout For Joy) made for an enjoyable evening. Gary V perpetuated the crowd's encore by giving away his signature songs Di Na Natuto, Sana'y Maulit Muli, Reaching Out and Babalik Ka Rin.

Gary V never ceases to try reinventing something new for the Philippine entertainment crowd, bringing a verdant concert-adventure for each single performance, no doubt always at his best. Sharon Cuneta was the only artist who has filled up The Shrine's 6,500 capacity and Gary V packed it with almost 75%, enough level to be feted. Thanks and congratulations to the collaboration efforts of Katz Entertainment (Gerry Katigbak and Jackie Regala), ALL ACCESS (Eugene and Maricel), Media3Five6 (Ivee and Sharon Fresnoza), and Luces Productions (Marissa Luces), four producers who have made this one a venture worth remembering! (More pics taken by this writer at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos)

Filled Commotion at the "Power of Two" Nora-Kuh concert at the Hollywood Palladium!

Fanatics flocked together and trouped down at "The Power of Two" - Hollywood Palladium concert of Nora Aunor with Kuh Ledesma on June 19. "Ibang klase ang mga fans mo, nilalatag ang mga picture mo dito sa buong venue!" (Your fans are really different, they are scattering your pictures in all places here at the venue!), Kuh initiated to Nora in sheer delight. The Icon (Aunor), The Original Diva (Ledesma), and the show's scene-stealer comedienne Fe de los Reyes, stayed over after the more than two-hour concert and never left until the last person had their autographs.

Fans cried, chanted, overwhelmed, and cheered enthusiastically until the end of the concert, amidst Palladium security personnel's disbelief, and sent fearful comments from the producers of the show when the Superstar almost fell from the stage due to some fans' un-careful display of affection (which trashed her clothing accessories). The cool icon pacified the rest of the crowd by saying, "Okey lang po ako, natutuwa lang po sila!" (I'm fine, they're just happy).

The crowd, noted to have come from as far as Toronto and New York, were mesmerized with an array of signature songs, in between facetious remarks and anecdotes from the two legendary performers. Initially, after a couple of performances from local talents, both emerged with blended cream and gold gowns and sang The Carpenters' "Superstar (Long Ago and Far Away)," followed by a Tagalog song "Hindi Kita Malimot." Kuh sang "Dito Ba," "Bulaklak," "If I Could" (dedicated to daughter Isabela), a rap-pop combined medley of "Dahil Sa 'Yo"/ "Saan Ka Man Naroroon," "Somewhere," Josh Groban's "Broken Vow," "Paano," "Til I Met You," to name a few.

Aunor's repertoire included an array of retro medleys ("Pearly Shells," "Don't Tell My Heart To Stop Loving You," "All Alone Am I," "The Impossible Dream," etc.); dedicated "Pangako/Hindi Kita Malilimutan" medley to all her loved ones (with video presentation); and other old songs like "Ikaw," "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin," among others.

Other duets of medleys the two did were fast songs "Annie Batungbakal," "Bongga Ka 'Day," "Beh, Buti Nga," and slow tracks "Anak," "Handog," and "Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako" (for the finale).

Fe de los Reyes' fitted jokes against the Diva and the Superstar blended with both headliners' conjugated acts, (alternately, it should have been billed as "The Power of Three"). De los Reyes' old antics delivered fresh with such gusto as if they're always new--- such repertoires as "How to be a Star," "Learn How to Speak Japanese," and "America" (with an outfit to match Kuh's native gold-headdress after the latter's "Ako Ay Pilipino" segment), which outdid both headliners. An old lady commented, "Alam mo, mas gusto kita kesa kay Ai-Ai" (You know I like you better than Ai-Ai), to which she answered - "Ako din po, mas gusto ko ang sarili ko kaysa kay Ai-Ai! (Me too, I like myself better than Ai-Ai) … "Magaling naman po siya … kaya lang nga, mas magaling ako, di ba?" (She's also good … but I'm better than her, aren't I?), she added.

The concert was produced by Planet Florist and Noeled Productions, and in cooperation with V Entertainment Group. Nora Aunor and Kuh Ledesma left the day after the Los Angeles-Hollywood Palladium concert (since Aunor had to attend the current Metro Manila Film Festival) but will resume their U.S. and Canada tour in August 2004 (which will include Las Vegas, Virginia Beach, and Reno, among others). More pics from the concert and press conference, taken by this writer, can be browsed at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos. E-mail comments at carnay25@yahoo.com)

OLIVER CARNAY regularly writes for BALITA MEDIA, INC. ("Balita USA", "Weekend Balita" and "Go4Women Magazine", available online at http://www.balita.com/ and www.Go4Women.com), ASIAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE'S JOURNAL (circulated in northern and southern part of California), Philippine and other Asian Headline newspaper – circulated in Sacramento, San Francisco and its vicinities) also published in northern and southern parts of California. In San Diego, he writes for FAME Magazine and PHILIPPINES TODAY. In New York, he writes for PLANET PHILIPPINES, with an online version at http://www.carouselpinoy.com/. He is a also contributor for BUZZINE Magazine (www.buzzine.com), AUDREY Magazine (www.audreymagazine.com), an occasional correspondent for www.siklab.com, PARA TODOS Magazine, and other L.A. based publications. He is the Los Angeles correspondent of Global Pinoy Entertainment Corporation (GPEC) which publishes S Magazine (circulated in Manila, all over the United States and other parts of the world) and PINOY GAZETTE (published in Hong Kong, Japan, and its vicinities). He is an active member of the National Press Photography Association (N.P.P.A.), Press Photography Association of Greater Los Angeles (P.P.A.G.L.A.-see www.ppagla.org for member listings), and is under the directory list of the Motion Picture Association of America (M.P.A.A.) covering movie Premieres and other Hollywood events. More recent news and Photo Galleries of Hollywood and local Fil-Am events recently covered can be seen at his new web site http://www.hollywoodflip.com/. Besides being busy maintaining his web site and writing for domestic and international publications, Oliver Carnay manages Talents, is also a Publicist and an event organizer. Email him at carnay25@yahoo.com or at webmaster@HOLLYWOODFLIP.com

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