Gary Valenciano on Gab’s Mental Health: ‘He’s Doing Extremely Well’

Trigger Warning: This article discusses mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Please read with care. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider reaching out to a mental health professional of a trusted support person.

In a recent interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, Gary Valenciano candidly shared parts of his life that he usually keeps private.

Gary V., popularly known as Mr. Pure Energy, has even more reasons to celebrate as he marks his 40th anniversary in showbiz alongside his birthday and wedding anniversary.

He opened up about his journey as a father, which has always been closely intertwined with his showbiz career. When he and his wife, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, found out they were expecting a child at the beginning of his career, they weren’t sure how the public would react.

“We were in a tight position back then. We were living in a tiny apartment, and I remember holding Angeli in a tiny bed when she was pregnant. We were not sure if my career would flourish,” he recalled.

After reminiscing about the early years of his career and how the challenges they faced eventually made them stronger, he opened up about his long and winding journey through fatherhood.

“Fatherhood—it’s something that I’ve always enjoyed doing. It has had its share of challenges. Challenges I wish no one else had to go through. But again, when I’m with them, I get to see how the word blessed is an understatement. With a son like Paolo, my eldest. Gabriel, the middle child. And Kianna, my princess. She’ll always be my princess,” he began.

He also shared that although each of his children is unique, he sees bits of himself and his wife in them.

“I see a bit of Angeli and me in them. With the way Paolo is, concerning finances, where he plans everything, and he makes sure he is ready, that’s Angeli.”

Gary V. then shared a lighthearted detail about himself: “That’s also one reason why I am blessed with a wonderful wife who really understands numbers. Because I was always lousy with numbers in school. I struggled with numbers. I never want to perform thinking, how much can I get? It will change the whole idea of why I’m on stage. So I don’t bother myself with those things. That’s not part of my system at all. Angeli takes care of those.”

“That’s Paolo, too. He’s very intentional in the way he is with his children. The way he is with his finances and his family.”

He continued, “Gabriel, you just have to see him perform with me on stage. You know, when someone calls you a people-pleaser, it can be taken negatively. Gab doesn’t think that way when he works with people. He wants to make sure he’ll deliver what people need. He can bring people together. I think it’s his biggest talent. The ability to network and bring people together, then move forward with something great.”

“Kianna, the songwriter, she’s the one who will not settle for what is good, but for what is great. And it has a lot to do with me,” he added. 

The conversation later turned to Gabriel's mental health struggles: “We encountered problems with Gabriel. We noticed that he had Middle Child Syndrome. It was not just that.”

Gary V. recalled one of their most challenging moments: “One morning, he called me up at 4 AM. His voice was like, ‘Dad, I’m sorry.’ I said, ‘Son, wait up. Why are you sorry?’ He said, ‘Because I did something.’ I asked him, ‘What did you do?’

“’I took something. I need you here now, Dad. Please come.’” 

He continued, “Angeli and I looked at each other. We rushed to his place. To make a long story short, we were able to enter his place; it was really messy. He didn’t look good. I ended up carrying him on my back from his room to the elevator. There were people inside, and I just kept saying, ‘Sorry, sorry.’

“We took him to Makati Med. At that time, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But it didn’t end there.”

Gary V. shared another difficult experience: “There was a time when we were in the States, and we found out that he was going through a battle with his mental issues.”

“His ex-girlfriend, who I’m thankful for, was holding on to him. He was latching himself onto the railing of his 27-storey condominium. He stepped out onto the ledge; he was hanging on the railing with one finger. He was looking at her and told her, ‘Look, I just need to let go of this finger, and it’s going to be quick, come on.’

“She told him, ‘No, Gab, don’t.’ You see, we were in the States getting updates on this. And then, after a bit of silence, we got a call from them: ‘Okay, he’s back inside the room.’”

After the incident, Gab told his father what happened. “Gab told me, ‘I was looking down, and it really looked like it was going to be quick. Somehow, when I looked down, a lower balcony opened their light. Then something snapped. I realized I shouldn't be here.’”

Fortunately, Gab went back inside. Gary V. assured viewers and the public that Gab is doing well now. He shared with a smile on his face, “It was a challenge back then. But Gab has taken on that challenge. I’d like to share this with people. The doctor told him, ‘Gab, there is nothing wrong with your mind. There may be something wrong with the brain.’”

He further explained, “In short, there could be some sort of imbalance, chemically, which is causing you to act this way.”

According to Gary V., the doctor’s explanation helped Gab see his condition differently: “Initially, Gab thought, ‘I don’t wanna be taking medications my whole life.’ I saw that conversation between him and his doctor. Because he’s seen me take medications all my life. He didn’t wanna be like that. The doctor said, ‘Some people have nothing wrong with the brain, but there’s something wrong with the mind. And it’s a more difficult issue to deal with. Yours is the brain. You’re not a bad person.’ He kind of understood that.” 

Gary V. proudly shared that his son is now doing well.

“Today, Gab is doing extremely well. He became a spokesperson for people who are going through mental health issues. You’ll be surprised. He’s very, very funny. He’s very quirky and energetic.”

Want to read more about children’s mental health? Read here about debunking children’s mental health myths.