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SCMP Reporter

Being told he had diabetes at the age of 14 only served to spur on Gary V, the soulful, fresh and vibrant Filipino singer.

  Gary's new English language album, Outside Looking In, is the latest in a career studded with awards.

  His diabetes - a disease which means he has too much sugar in his blood - means he even has to inject himself with insulin backstage during concerts to stop himself getting seriously ill.

  But it has not held him back.

  'I think it made me put more energy into my career.

  'I refused to be imprisoned in hospital. On the contrary, I used my affliction as an impetus to achieve my dream,' said Gary.

  All of his Tagalog and English albums have notched up huge sales in his own country and his numerous awards include 80 from music associations.

   He has won awards as a singer, writer and composer and his achievements would satisfy most entertainers - but not Gary V. He wants even bigger success.

  Gary said he had always wanted to be a singer. 'Nobody needed to tell me I was going to be a singer. Many thought it was impossible,' he said.

  With the release of his album Gary V in 1984, he became a star in the Philippines.

  Following a familiar path for superstars, he has made 10 movies. He has awards for acting and music.

     Some of his songs have a religious edge. 'I decided to express my spirituality through gospel music,' he said. His first pop gospel album, Shout For Joy, swept nine awards in the 1991 Awits, the Philippine version of the Grammies.

   'My Japanese fans told me that something slipped into their hearts as I performed gospel music in my concert, even when they did not understand what I was singing about,' he said.

  Outside Looking In is his second internationally-released album, following Dancing In The Moonlight.

  All the songs on the new album are upbeat numbers.

  Tracks include These Eyes, a remake of an acoustic number by Canadian rock band Guess Who. Gary dishes it up R 'n' B style.

  Other songs include the disco-pop of Look In Her Eyes and Gary's favourite, I Know for Sure.

  The talented Filipino has a lot of ambitions left.

  'I hope I can work with the singers Vanessa Williams, Gloria Estefan, David Foster, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, actor Mel Gibson and actress Winona Ryder,' he said.

  And who would put it past him? 



Illness spurs Filipino star