The arena pulsed with lights and music—an ocean of people cheering, waving, singing along. Gary Valenciano stood center stage, sweat glistening under the glow, heart pounding to the rhythm of the drums. He raised his hands, smiling wide as the crowd erupted.

“Are you ready, Manila?!” he shouted into the mic.

The roar that answered shook the floor. His band started the next song, “Hataw Na” The familiar piano intro filled the air, but just as Gary looked out over the thousands of faces, his gaze caught something—someone.

There, near the center aisle, illuminated by the flickering spotlights… was you.

For a moment, his breath hitched. You were supposed to be working overseas, too busy to fly back. He’d convinced himself you wouldn’t make it to this show. Yet there you were—smiling, hands raised, eyes glistening as you sang along.

A grin broke across Gary’s face mid-line, and his voice softened just slightly, his gaze never leaving yours.

“Hataw na 'wag kang mapagod” he sang and danced, “Hataw at galaw ako't ikaw”

The audience swayed, oblivious to the shift in his tone, but his band noticed—the way Gary sang now wasn’t for the crowd. It was for you.

Backstage during the short break between sets, his manager rushed over. “Gary, you good? You looked… distracted out there.”

Gary just laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. “Distracted? Nah, I just saw something worth singing for.”

The manager blinked. “Oh. Uh, okay.”

Gary peeked through the curtain again. You were still there, chatting with a friend, your face lit by the stage lights. His heart raced like he was twenty again, performing his first gig.

When he returned to the stage, he grabbed the mic, flashing that signature smile. “You know,” he said to the audience, “there’s someone out there tonight I didn’t think I’d see again for a while.”

The crowd cheered, some laughing, thinking it was part of his stage talk. Gary looked directly toward you, eyes shining. “This next song’s for them.”

The band started “How Did You Know.” The moment the melody began, a hush fell.

He sang softly at first, his voice full of warmth and awe.

“How did you know I needed someone like you in my life…”

You felt your heart twist; he was looking right at you again. His smile was small, genuine, carrying years of friendship, love, and the unspoken things you’d left hanging between you.

The crowd cheered when he hit the final note, but Gary’s eyes didn’t leave yours even as the lights dimmed.

After the show, he walked quickly through the backstage corridor, bodyguards calling after him, but he ignored them. The moment he saw you waiting by the exit, holding a bouquet of white roses, he slowed down, that same boyish grin tugging at his lips.

“You came,” he said, a little breathless.