Born in the suburb of Santa Mesa in Manila on August 6, 1964, he is the sixth of Vicente Valenciano and Grimilda Santiago Ortiz’s seven children. Santiago Ortiz is a Puerto Rican woman of Italian descent who became a popular opera singer in Manila during the 1960s, and her love for music passed down to her son, Gary. He took his primary and secondary studies in La Salle Greenhills. It was during his high school days, while on a brief stint with the musical group Kundirana, that he devoted himself to music.
Valenciano started performing in 1982 and launched his career in singing and show business on May 13, 1983. He first appeared as a solo in a television show called The Pilita and Jackie Show in 1982, but he was finally noticed after his performances in the TV shows Germspesyal and Penthouse Live. He had his first solo concert, in April 1984, inside the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum. That would be followed by 21 albums, three of them released internationally, including a Christian inspired album called Out of the Dark.
He is married to Maria Anna Elizabeth "Angeli" Evangelista Pangilinan, with whom he has three children: Juan Paolo Martin (a vocalist of the band Salamin), Jose Angelo Gabriel (a dancer), and Kristina Maria Mikaela.
After All
Gary Valenciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She couldn't I don't know why
Could it be that it's all over
Such a short love affair
I feel it's so unfair
But what can I do
To keep this love oh so true
We've only just begun
Now why must we end it?
I feel we should go on
Cause I could feel the fire's warmth
The sparks of love
That keep it shining on...
I'll be standing here
Even though it's through
I have this space in my heart for you
I don't know how I'll fake it
And I doubt if I can make it
And if get to realize
Just turn and look into my eyes
Cause then you'd come know
That it was me after all....
You know we still have time
It's not too late to change your mind
Why must we end it?
I feel we should go on
Cause I could feel the fire's warmth
The sparks of love
That keep it shining on...
I'll be standing here
Even though it's through
I have this space in my heart for you
I don't know how I'll fake it
And I doubt if I can make it
And if get to realize
Just turn and look into my eyes
Cause then you'd come know
That it was me after all....
That it was me after all....
I'll be standing here
Even though it's through
I have this space in my heart for you
I don't know how I'll fake it
And I doubt if I can make it
And if get to realize
Just turn and look into my eyes
Cause then you'd come know
That it was me after all....
The song "After All" by Gary Valenciano talks about a love affair that ended too soon. The singer asks the girl for a smile, but she couldn't give it to him, which made him believe that their love is over. He feels that their short-lived love is unfair and that he wants to keep it true. He thinks that the feelings can't be gone because they've only just begun, and he wonders why they should end it. He feels that they should go on because he can still feel the fire's warmth and the sparks of love that keep it shining on. He also assures the girl that he'll be standing there for her, even though it's through, and that he has a space in his heart for her.
The lyrics of this song suggest that the couple is going through a rough patch in their relationship, but the singer still has hope that they can still work things out. He thinks that they should not give up too soon and that they still have time to change their minds. He wants the girl to look into his eyes and realize that it was him all along. The song's melody is upbeat, which contradicts its somber lyrics. It's as if the singer is trying to uplift his mood by singing a happy tune while dealing with a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked her for a smile
I tried to find happiness from my lover
She couldn't I don't know why
My lover couldn't understand why I needed happiness
Could it be that it's all over
I wondered if our love was ending
Such a short love affair
Our love didn't last long enough
I feel it's so unfair
I felt our love ended before it should have
But what can I do
I don't know how to save our love
To keep this love oh so true
I want to keep our love strong and real
The feelings can't be gone
My love for you is still strong
We've only just begun
Our love story was just beginning
Now why must we end it?
I don't understand why our love story is ending
I feel we should go on
I believe our love story can continue
Cause I could feel the fire's warmth
I can still feel the passion in our love
The sparks of love
Our love still has sparks that can be rekindled
That keep it shining on...
These sparks can keep our love burning bright
You know we still have time
It's not too late for us to save our love
It's not too late to change your mind
We can still make things right
I'll be standing here
I'll be here waiting for you
Even though it's through
Even though our love story might be over
I have this space in my heart for you
I will always have a special place for you in my heart
I don't know how I'll fake it
I don't know how to pretend that I don't love you
And I doubt if I can make it
I'm not sure if I can move on without you
And if get to realize
If you ever understand
Just turn and look into my eyes
Just look at me directly
Cause then you'd come know
You'll understand
That it was me after all....
I was the one who loved you all along
Contributed by Chloe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Caber
This song makes my heart feel at ease and almost nostalgic for me. I really love this song :) thank you gary v. :)
jmorbuena
I enjoyed listening to this ballad when I was 12 years old. Now in my 30's, the difference with the revival version is it is more heartfelt and meaningful. AFTER ALL, Gary V., despite the flashy dances and the upbeat musics, is one of the greatest balladeers in the industry. (Did u kno dat this song was inspired from Al Jarreau's version of "After All', who is Gary's favorite artist? If u listen to Jarreau's version, u'll notice the familiar notes heard in Gary's own.)
Len Sheu
incomparable Gary V. 👏👏
Fit Singer TV
Gary has always been one of my favorites
Irna Ramil
OmG. I love this song very much! Gary V. is really one of the best filipino performer. Love you Mr. Pure Energy.
Melody Sagun
this is my most favorite song of Gary V😊😊👌🏻👍
Naomi Torres
Wow!! That music video is beautiful.. and even the song. I love it! 😊💜👍
Grachella Santos
I sounds like a child that love was full of wonder..
I'm in loved with the grammar..."I doubt if I could fake it"...
God bless Mr Gary v...
nessie ballesteros
thank u for being such a good example and an inspiration to us!keep it up and GOD BLESS!
Agustina Millin
love this song