Celebrity World

Gab Valenciano on his own terms

By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN
March 28, 2011, 1:20pm

MANILA, Philippines -- It’s interesting to note that Gabriel “Gab” Valenciano continues to shine on his own in pursuit of excellence.

He has impressively manifested his various talents in hosting, acting, singing and dancing many times. A champion of “Shall We Dance,” a former host for Club TV, and currently host/dancer for “ASAP Rocks,” Gab opened 2011 with a series of impressive projects such as his unforgettable opening number in the much-talked about “1@11” event of the perfume empire Aficionado wherein he arranged and produced the music and choreographed the dance sequences.

Gab also did a jaw-dropping 10-feet leap that amazed the show’s producer, Joel Cruz.

Born of showbiz royalty being the second son of OPM icon Gary Valenciano and veteran artist manager Angeli Pangilinan, Gab’s prodigious lineage could have offered him fame and fortune on a silver platter but Gab clearly opted to work harder to get to where he is today.

Gab further showcased his skill as one of today’s most talented young producers and musical arrangers by re-arranging Rey Valera’s classic ballad “Naaalala Ka” for Jericho Rosales for his “Change” album. The music video reached the No. 2 slot in the MYX Countdown.

Gab also collaborated with Jericho by producing and arranging “Bumuhos Ang Ulan,” the theme song of ABS-CBN’s “Green Rose,” which Jericho wrote for the hit soap series.

On “ASAP Rocks,” Gab is not only one of the performers but one of the visionaries who assists in choreography.

“I opened a dance workshop for young people two years ago and I’m planning to do it again this summer. I get a natural high when I’m among young and aspiring artists who have the same passion for dance and music as I do,” says Gab.

As an actor, Gab has appeared in the indie film “Rebound” as well as in an episode of “Your Song” for ABS-CBN.

One of Gab’s long-term goals is to study Recording Arts and Music Production in the US and major in Music as it is one of his aspirations to produce globally competitive and world-class music.

In 2010 Gab, along with brother Paolo, Zia Quizon and Karylle, Robin Nievera, Isabella, and Duncan Ramos teamed up in the historic recording of “One Voice-Stand Up” which was the official theme song of United Nations’ worldwide campaign to end hunger. Its music video was shown globally with rave reviews. It is currently the theme song for Southeast Asian efforts of the United Nations.

In between his regular television shows “ASAP Rocks” and “Banana Split,” Gab has been tapped by Powermac to teach music software for Mac users, by Blackberry to teach and inform users of its phone applications, and Gab discloses that an exciting and big project is in the works.

Follow Gab on Twitter at @gabvalenciano and like his official page, Gabriel P. Valenciano, on Facebook for official news and information. Gab Valenciano is managed by Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc.

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Mocha Girls goes to the US for gigs

Mocha Uson of Mocha Girls is no urban legend for nothing. As the frontliner of the country’s No. 1 sing-and-dance performing artists, Mocha Uson placed 4th in the list of Top 10 Most Searched Artists according to Google Zeitgist 2010. (Charice Pempengco, Sarah Geronimo, and Jovit Baldivino placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively).

Coming to par with their hard-earned status as no-nonsense live performing artists, for the fourth time the Mocha Girls are slated for a series of concerts in Guam this year (in May) and in 10 cities in Mainland USA in June.

The touring group includes Mocha Girls members Mary Jane Satiaguel, Mary Mae Dela Cerna, Sherry Lyn Ociman, and Aura Joy Balington.

The Mocha Girls are touring with Ice Band composed of members Erik Peligrino, Karlo Peligrino, Mark Anthony Uno, Manuel Cruz, musical director and percussionist Lord Byron Cristobal with sound engineers Roberto Capia and Anthony Morante.

The Mocha Girls recently concluded their SRO series of gigs at Resorts World Manila, and their Araw Ng Davao concert for San Miguel Beer Corp. with Derek Ramsay. Their forthcoming local gigs are at Liquid Bar for Playboy Fragrance (April 1), and in CamSur on April 24-27.

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