ARISE Gary V. 3.0

Last April 12, we watched "ARISE Gary V. 3.0" at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It's Gary's 30th anniversary concert series. I think it's one of the better, if not the best, concert I've seen in a while, local or foreign.

DJ Tom Taus (of Cedie and brother of Antoinette fame) warmed up the crowd. He grew up into a buff young man (please Google pictures). The concert started with videos of Gary in the 80s shown on the big screen while Iya Villania Arellano was doing cartwheels in the air ala-Pink. Then, G-Force dancers came out in neon-lights- Daft-Punk like costumes. 

When Gary came out, he immediately belted his hits "Di Bale Na Lang" and "Growing Up". He sang mostly ballads with a teleserye medley and a movie themes medley. I shed a few tears when he sang "Reaching Out' and "Natutulog Ba ang Diyos." His voice has not changed, it was just like listening to the radio or to a CD.

Here he was singing "Sana Maulit Muli" which I learned was written pala by his wife, Angeli. They're so musical, I'm so inggit.

 The fast numbers were a different story though. He could still move and groove but not as much, most of his dance songs were grouped in medleys. My favorites were when he sang and danced "Sa Yahweh" (pictured below) and "Shout for Joy" with the original Manoeuvres.

He performed with children Gab and Kiana Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sam Concepcion, DJ Papi and Rico Blanco. He frequently went off the stage and into the audience and the Patron people kept coming up to him and taking selfies. It was so That's 1980s with a twist, instead of the thick sampaguita garlands, people had their cellphones. It made me wonder though, what did the artistas then do with their sampaguitas. A really popular star then would have the garlands covering their necks up to half of their faces. I digress.

I hope he'd do more concerts soon so I can buy better seats - yeah, yeah, that what I always say. :P