GARY V

Yesterday I was busy photographing a wedding that was set on a beautiful Sydney day. Temperature was about 23 degrees and the sun was out, the sky was blue and all was simply beautiful. I was at the wedding from about 10:30am until around 10pm after which I left the wedding and with the gracious provision of a dear friend, was invited to attend a concert of a famous Filipino performer called Gary V. I had the opportunity to sit on the floor at the front stage and was really grateful for the chance to be there. The concert that I saw, being that it started a couple of hours before I could be there, was just wonderful. All consumate entertainers have an ability to connect with their audience, Gary is no exception. When he catches the gaze of people in the audience he gives them a wink or look of appreciation making everyone feel that they are individually important to him and to the concert, as they are.

It is easy to become cynical in the day we live in and jaded by things that don't look bigger and better than last time, but in this concert environment with a predominantly Filipino audience, the feelings and the lyrics were important. There were few special effects. The lighting and the incomparable talent of the musicians, and dancers, whilst individually are strong and pivotal, they were essentially there like make-up on a woman. Make-up exists to enhance the beauty that already exits on a woman’s face, those individual talents harmoniously combined with what was essentially "A Man and His music." Gary humbly concluded his concert by simply saying "this song apart from all that I say, IS the very meaning of Gary V" and then sang a song that refers clearly to his acceptance and gratitude for a higher source, even God, who allows him to do what he does. Let me add my gratitude together with the united voice of appreciation expressed by all the concert goers last night. May I commend this performer to all, and he is a great ambassador for Filipino talent. I heard a concert goer say as I left the auditorium last night, I'm proud to be Filipino. I am not a Filipino, but agree that she has every right to be proud. I am proud to be a Gary V fan, and perhaps owing to my frame - possibly a VERY big fan!

Enjoy some of the pictures!