Let's support this 'boy' from Bicol

Hi friends, church mates, and relatives...pass this to everyone. But read it first.

I was amazed when a young man asked Genesis to represent him last year. He was a huge soap opera star and film actor. Why on earth did he need an independent manager like us? He said that he wanted to go back to his first love...music. I was shocked when he presented an album be produced with 14 songs that he wrote himself in an album entitled LOOSE FIT...with the help of some members of a band he called JEANS. I was more shocked when he presented a couple of videos he directed himself and financed as well!

Then.....I was even more amazed when I found out that he used to be very poor before...selling fish in the market with the goods coming from Lucena, riding jeeps, taking trips to Smokey Mountain with friends to look for goodies and even going way back...walking two kilometers to school in Bicol from his home and back. Then he said...but he had to walk 4 more kilometers more when he had no two pesos (P2) for his lunch. He would walk home 2 kilometers more for lunch and walk another two to go back to school. He also said he walked so many kilometers in the rain when he auditioned for a declamation contest. And because of the rain, he lost his slippers and ended up walking home...barefoot. It reminded me of another icon we represent..Jojo Lastimosa, who never had shoes as a child and also used to make his own toys in Cagayan De Oro..... but ended up endorsing FILA shoes.....and what about Gary who only had 5 shirts and 2 pairs of pants and 3 pairs of shoes when I met him because his house burned...and now he has 20 closets of clothes!!!! And maybe 200 pairs of shoes!

Meantime, this Bicolano went to Manila and started selling fish in Marikina. (A friend told me his sister is so proud to say she bought fish from this celebrity many years ago because he had a stall there and she could not forget his handsome face!) A talent scout encouraged him to join a contest in Eat Bulaga 10 years ago and he became...”Mr. Pogi!!!!!”

This man is Jericho Rosales.

Or simply Echo to those who love him in the entertainment industry. A true artist. And who we..the Valenciano and GENESIS family believe...is a musical genius. (I will never forget the stunned faces of Gary and our son Gabriel when they found out he wrote all the songs in album we were listening to on the way to the beach. Gab said, “WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! He wrote those songs?????”)

Meantime, many in the media lambasted him, made fun of him and said he was stupid. They criticized him. They laughed at him and insulted his decision, called him “laos” and a “has-been.” And they did not lift a finger to encourage him. So he walked a lonely road...less traveled...and performed in music bars and joints to develop his craft for ten months..turning down 7 soap opera offers worth millions of pesos. A man, a breadwinner... who could earn P150,000 for three songs in what others call “rackets” and earn 7-figure amounts for his endorsements....would work for two hours for P3,000-P15,000. Because he loved music.

My husband Gary and I believe that Echo has what it takes to make it as a huge multi-media star including becoming a major musical performer. We laughed with him, prayed, and cried with him. It was an unbelievable journey. But then we recognized that he was ready.

So we decided to help him with his 10th anniversary and nudged him to accept the musical soap opera, “PANGARAP NA BITUIN,” his comeback on primetime and....his first major concert entitled “Raw Energy” at the Music Museum this week on October 18 and 19 for the benefit of the BICOL Scholarship Fund of the Shining Light Foundation. He and a man he calls “Chief,” Gary...are both Bicolanos who have decided to put together this concert to raise funds for their fellow Bicolanos and celebrate 10 years of blessings for Echo. Our son Gabriel agreed to support the project. Donita Rose said she’s in. His fellow Hunk Carlos Agassi or “Amir” likewise said he would love to do it. Gary agreed to co-direct it and has even composed the opening musical bed for the videos. Director Paul Soriano agreed to produce the videos needed for the concert. Jun Antolin will do lighting while Soundcheck with Rards Corpuz and Boyet Toquero will man the sound system.

Silvermoon and GV Productions Inc in cooperation with Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc. ABS-CBN, his ASAP family, MYX, Manila Bulletin, Penshoppe, Gold’s Gym, the BELO Medical Group, Goldilock’s, Walker, Pepsi, Traffic, DECs Plaza, Yupangco Music Corporation, our Radio Partners...the Quest Group, WRR, DZMM, Wrock, RX93, EMI Music, and many more are joining hands to support this wonderful project.

Would you like to be part of musical history as we witness the emergence of an exciting new concert performer, an under-rated musical genius who just happens to have also received two BEST ACTOR awards this year for his portrayal of the Champ...Pacquiao.?!

Whether it be in purchasing tickets, sponsoring or promoting the event. Or just simply whispering a prayer for us....take part in a great musical experience.

Let me know if you want to help and be a part of something very, very special.

I saw it in Gary on January 23,1983 when I watched him for the first time. So raw. But so energetic. I couldn’t sleep that night. I have waited long ...for someone to excite the concert scene. We believe we have found someone. Yes....still a bit raw...but his talent, his passion, his courage, his heart and soul and love for his craft will see him through. And guess what...he loves Jesus with all his heart...which is really the most important thing.

Be part of music history. Join us this week. :)

God is good. To Him be all glory.

Much love,

Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano

P.S. Call 7214406 if you want to support this project....Buy tickets! P1500, P1200, P1000, P800, P600