ACTOR/PERFORMER Edgardo Jose “Gary” Valenciano underwent emergency open heart surgery on Saturday after feeling chest pains following a performance he did with his son, Gabriel, in celebration of his 35th anniversary in the industry.
The surgery was successful said his wife on a social media post.
“After that dance, I felt a sensation I’d never felt before — not even during the times I would push myself, riding my mountain bike on the trails for extended periods of time — I felt tightness and pain in my chest,” Mr. Valenciano said in a statement posted by his agency, Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc., on its Facebook page on Sunday.
Mr. Valenciano said that while he has a good strong heart, the main valve of his left anterior descending artery was 95% blocked and had very thin walls because of his chronic diabetes. This prompted his doctors to recommend emergency bypass surgery.
Mr. Valenciano is known for his high-energy performances despite living with Type 1 Diabetes for 39 years.
The surgery was successful, according to Mr. Valenciano’s wife, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano in an update posted on the agency’s page.
“Gary’s heart surgery was successful. Paolo, Gab, Kiana and I visited him at the coronary recovery room and doctors have said he is doing very well. In behalf of our family, I request for prayers for my husband’s speedy recovery,” Ms. Pangilinan-Valenciano said.
“I apologize to my ASAP, Your Face Sounds Familiar, and [It’s] Showtime families and fans, the companies and organizations i am scheduled to do shows for, the students from various universities I am so excited to meet… I was especially looking forward to Unstoppable, Darren Espanto’s concert. I need to excuse myself from all these commitments until I fully recover from the bypass surgery,” Mr. Valenciano said, referring to his various television shows and other engagements, in his statement.
Mr. Valenciano was scheduled to perform at Canadian singer Darren Espanto’s birthday concert on May 26 at the KIA Theater in Quezon City.
“Being active has never been my problem. But I now often feel tired and sleepy, despite being fully rested. The chest pains were an alert and confirmed, thank God, that something was wrong. I’m thankful I didn’t wait too long to take the necessary tests,” he said before adding that he thought it best to give his fans, friends, and family details on his condition “to prevent gossip and speculation that may cause worry and concern.”
“Do not worry please, only pray — I have an expert team of gifted doctors, some of them have taken great care of me for many, many years now… I will do my best to keep you updated as the days go by. Should I remain silent, it’s probably only because I will be recuperating, getting better, and building up my strength,” he said. — ZBC

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