In an online interview of Senator Joel “Tesdaman” Villanueva with Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano in the 10th episode of AksyonTime, which aired on A2Z Channel 11 over the weekend, the multi-awarded singer-actor said that he hopes to inspire others, as he himself was blessed and inspired.
Gary V’s inspiring music and words have touched many, including Villanueva who looks up to him for advice. He expressed gratitude to Gary V for being there for his family during their “darkest moments.”
In March last year, Villanueva lost his mother Adoracion “Sister Dory” Jose Villanueva. His sister, former Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna died two months after.
Gary V’s journey of faith began when one man who was seated beside him on a plane spoke to him about the Word of God.
“I was in tears because I was going through a dark moment in my life, and I was on my way to some province because I was going to stand together with other people who believed in this man. And that one man that people believed in was the man that sat beside me and talked to me. I opened up to him about the struggles in my life, and he spoke into my life, and that man was your father (Bro. Eddie Villanueva),” he shared.
Gary V humbly believes he isn’t worthy of all the blessings he has received. “I’m not a perfect Christian. Ika ‘nga we are all Christians under construction. There’s still a lot of things I need to fix up in myself. And yet He has chosen me. Why? I don’t know why He has chosen me. It’s only because God has been good. And He will be that way yesterday, today, and forever.”
During this pandemic, Gary V revealed that he, too, has experienced many challenges, and the closure of ABS-CBN compounded his apprehensions.
“Medyo grabe din yung effect sa akin dahil isinara pa yung ABS-CBN last year. We’re happy that with A2Z (Channel 11) now we’re all in this together, first time in the history,” he stated.
Despite all this, Gary reminds everyone to keep the faith steady because “even if the situation does not get better tomorrow, the next months or even the next year the Lord that we have goes over that.”
AksyonTime marks the return of Villanueva on television, after years of hiatus in hosting a public affairs show. The senator previously produced and hosted the multi-awarded public affairs program Adyenda, which tackled current issues and concerns.
AksyonTime airs every Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. on A2Z Channel 11.