Paolo Valenciano On How Is It Growing Up Under The Shadown Of His More Famous Dad Gary V

WE ASK Paolo Valenciano how is it to grow up under the shadow of a very famous dad like Gary V. “Mahirap kasi people have high expectations,” he says. “I guess all kids of celebrities experience that. But it’s really more of an advantage as it opens door for you, but you also have to exert more effort to prove yourself.”

Was he ever in a sibling rivalry with his younger brother Gab who looks more like their dad? “It’s not really rivalry but as we were growing up, I felt kinda insecure that he looks more like our dad. He’s also taller and I don’t dance like him. But I’ve gotten over that. No longer an issue for me. I’m happy he’s doing well in the States and he’s also getting married next year.”

He is turning 30 soon but he looks much younger than his age so people often think Gab is older than him. He and his wife Sam Godinez got married last year. When do they plan to have a baby? “After the wedding of Gab. She doesn’t want to be pregnant during the wedding.”

Paolo is slowly stepping out of his dad’s shadow. As a director, he’s helming Toni Gonzaga’s “Celestine” concert at the MOA tonight. “This is my first concert with a female artist. I’ve directed Sam Concepcion and Jericho Rosales before, but in Music Museum. This will showcase Toni as an artist and push her to do stuff outside of her comfort zones. Marami siyang gugulatin dito.”

He has also launched at ASAP last Sunday his first solo album, “Silence/Noise.” Released under Star Records, Paolo’s album features a collection of alternative rock songs that he says tell the story of his life.

“My album is like a middle ground, where two elements meet –rock merging with anthemic pop,” says Pao who used to be the vocalist of the band Salamin. “I composed half of the songs and the rest are composed by friends. Isa lang ang revival dito. My songs were written originally in English but I translated them into Pilipino to make it truly original Pilipino music.”

The standouts are “Pangako,” “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay,” “Parusa,” Tag-ulan”, “Kislap,” and the inspirational carrier single “Muling Magbabalik,” whose music video to come out next week is helmed by Pao himself. Also included are the acoustic versions of “Muling Magbabalik” and “Parusa” as bonus tracks. “Silence/Noise” is now available in record bars nationwide for P250. The tracks can also be downloaded via iTunes, Amazon.com, Starmusic.ph, and Mymusicstore.