PERFORMER Gabriel Valenciano, who in recent months has opened up about surviving depression, opted to “focus on the bigger picture” in reaction to the circulation of a video suggesting he has died.
On Facebook Monday, the son of music veteran Gary Valenciano shared a screenshot of a YouTube video that ranked first in the Philippine trending list, with a thumbnail that says, “Paalam, Gab Valenciano: 1988-2019.”
“I could easily look at this and react negatively, but I choose to focus on the bigger picture. I am blessed to say that I no longer have thoughts about ending my life, instead, save as many as I can through these experiences. It says in the word that what the enemy uses for evil, God will use for good,” he wrote.
“This may be fake news, but the mere fact that it is currently trending on the top spot means it is a real issue that thousands and even millions are going through, bringing to light the urgency of the matter. This will cause people to go on my social media platforms, hopefully see the original post I posted and be inspired and blessed by it. At the end of the day, I will always choose love over hate,” he added.
At the start of 2019, Gabriel revealed he has overcome “the darkest most painful” time of his life, when he “imploded and tried to hurt myself to numb myself of the pain, disappointment, uncertainty, doubt and fear.”
Gabriel had a tumultuous three years starting in 2016, when his marriage with ex-wife Tricia Centenera broke down due to his infidelity.
In early 2018, he apologized on social media “to everyone I may have hurt,” saying that because he hadn’t been his “true self,” he “demolished beautiful bridges” and “strayed away from my family, my passions, my friends, and even our almighty God.”
That same year, his father Gary was diagnosed with cancer, which he has since been cleared of.
In his Facebook post on Monday, Gabriel also addressed those behind the disinformation about his death, saying: “May God bless you. Every person deals with hardship differently; this could be your way of dealing with pain. So with that I pray for you.” (ABS-CBN)
