MANILA — Gary Valenciano, known for his strong Christian faith, admitted he once took a strong and aggressive approach to sharing the gospel.
The statement came as he reflected on faith, conviction and how these are communicated following recent remarks by Alvin Aragon about the LGBTQIA+ community, the Sexbomb Girls, etc. that have since gone viral.
“How you carry things, that is something you learn through time. I was once a Christian honeymooning with the Lord when I first came to know him. I was like that— ‘if you do, you will go to hell!’ ‘this is what is going to happen to you,” he recalled in an interview held during the launch of his upcoming podcast “Unshaken with Gary V: Stories of Grit and Grace” in Taguig City, Friday.
“It took me time to learn that the truth even if it hurts, you dont have to make it hurt more. It hurts enough already,” he added.
Valenciano pointed to the challenges faithfuls face when interpreting their spiritual conviction.
“I don’t know what kind of walk Alvin has had with the Lord that he talks about. And I know he is talking about the God I am talking about. We both quote from the same Bible. I don’t know,” Valenciano said. “But I will let people know that when or if you pray about something — and if God speaks to you and says do this. And it is totally opposite from what you thought he would call you to do. The challenge is who will you follow? Will you follow your conscience or the voice you heard clear enough even it would cost so much including being bashed.”
While Valenciano said his approach to faith centers on sharing rather than preaching, he stressed he does not believe he is in any position to judge others.
“I don’t come out on stage to preach. I just share. Why? because there is a lot this body has gone through. And Whatever I read in the gospel and whatever promises given to me, they have been proven. I am here… and I am happy that I am,” he explained. “I am not one to judge him. He is as unperfect [sic] as I am. And I am thankful that he is keeping himself grounded on what he believes in. One day if we do talk, I would like to find out — ‘Dude, what is going on with you and God?"
The singer noted the heated social media discussions, however, may carry a silver lining as that they have sparked attention and reflection.
“It is a matter of time when dust settles and we see each other’s reasoning in a clearer way. But it has been moving a lot of people. Best thing about it is people are opening their faith. I don’t know how God is orchestrating everything to bring people together and people are listening and watching,” he said.
"UNSHAKEN with GaryV" podcast kicks off in April as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Manila Genesis.