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City Times catches up with Filipino artists Gary V and Vina Morales in Abu Dhabi

by

Olivia Olarte-Ulherr

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Published: Sun 3 Nov 2013, 11:10 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 5:00 PM

FILIPINO MUSICAL LEGENDS ‘Mr. Pure Energy’, Gary V and Vina Morales were in Abu Dhabi on Thursday to headline Yasalam’s ‘Beats on the Beach’ concerts, as part of the Formula One community events over the race weekend. This is the first time that Filipino artistes were featured at Yasalam.

Prior to the the concert, City Times caught up with Gary and Vina.

GARY V
Is this your first time in Abu Dhabi?
It is. It’s good to be here. I’ve been to Bahrain, Dubai, Qatar and Al Ain a long time ago. We had a Middle East tour in 1995. I’ve been waiting to come to Abu Dhabi, so when I found out that I have an offer to come here for this particular event, I immediately told my team, let’s do this.

What are your thoughts on visiting again?
I do want to come back to Abu Dhabi as part of my 30th year in the industry to do a solo concert with my family, my children who will guest in my show. Hopefully the same time next year because it’s cool. I like the weather.

Is there a particular place in Abu Dhabi that you would like to see?
For now I am already seeing it. I would have wanted to watch the F1 but I have to head back home. There’s always next year. If they invite me again, I’d come back.

How have fans received you here?
The reception has been great. I think it’s a perfect example of the Filipino hospitality and I’m seeing it right here. There’s enough of it at home but I’m experiencing it here in Abu Dhabi so it’s good to know that Filipinos, even when they leave the Philippines, they still have that in them.

When are you returning next to the UAE?
On January 24, ‘ASAP’ (variety show) is going to be in Dubai. Forty or fifty artistes will be there.

What would you have been if not an entertainer?
Ah, that’s a good question. Maybe I’d be the most frustrated businessman in the world. I don’t know what I’d be. I think I’d still end up in show business to some extent; being maybe a director or musical arranger, but not an entertainer.

Any message for your fans here?
I’m so thankful, that many of them have kept me around for the past 30 years, so I’m going to give everything I got. I always will do that for my friends and the new friends I will meet tonight here in Abu Dhabi.

VINA MORALES

Is this your first time in Abu Dhabi?
Yes it is my first time here but I’ve been to Saudi, Bahrain, Dubai. I was in Dubai to perform but that was years ago, but we’ll be going there again for ‘ASAP’, a variety show.

What are your thoughts on the city?

Who wouldn’t know Abu Dhabi, it’s a very known place and very progressive. My friends were just saying not to miss Ferrari World. I know I’m going to have fun visiting, touring the place. I hope next time to come back and bring my family.

How have people reacted to your visit?
Filipinos are waiting; I can hear them from here. So I guess Gary and I are going to have a really great crowd tonight. Energy is just so high… we’re just so excited. This is the first time that Filipinos are doing a show at the Yasalam Festival, so I guess it’s really a good combination. We’re doing so well, so it’s a good start and hopefully next year there’ll be more artistes from the Philippines who will come for this festival.