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Rey ValeraThe Story of Rey ValeraReynaldo Valera Guardiano is more likely called simply Rey Valera. He is a Filipino singer, a songwriter, music director and film scorer. He wrote and produced songs, some were recorded by various artist, most notably Sharon Cuneta. Because of this, he is noted as Mr. Hitmaker. He learned to play Electric Bass Guitar, piano and keyboards. He is also dubbed as King of Tagalog Songs. Rey Valera was born on May 4, 1954 originating in Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines. He is the second of the three siblings. He and his family still living in Bulacan and has three daughters and a son. He studied college at Far East University but quitted on his fourth year and worked in Japan. In 1977, he started his recording career when he and his brother formed the band Electric Hair and stayed for seven years. He sang his first single “Ako Si Superman”. The song was created supposedly for Rico Puno but the later gave him the opportunity to sing his song. Vicor Records hired him as one of Vicor’s in-house producers. He also made songs for artists such as “Sorry Na”,” Pwede Ba”, “Daigdig Ng Ala-ala” for Rico J. Puno, “Ayoko Na Sa’yo” for Pol Enriquez and many more. ”Tayong Dalawa” was his first song being used in movie for the movie Stepsister in 1979. He represented the Philippines as songwriter in the first Asean Song Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He also garnered the title as Juke Box King of the Year. In 1982, he was called the King of Tagalog Songs. His making of the song “Mr. DJ” for Sharon Cuneta, the Mega Star was one of his first challenging projects. It was an intimidating challenge for him for he cannot figure out what is suitable for a teen age singer. It came to him to write songs for people who are responsible in playing songs on the radio. It was named Mr. DJ followed by “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”. The two became friends and Sharon even paid tribute to him when she records Sharon Sings Valera. On the separation of Sharon and Gaby Valera wrote “Kahit Wala Ka Na” and submitted to VIVA. But it was shelved for two years at VIVA and when Sharon knew, she immediately recorded the song and used it in her movie Kahit Wala Ka Na (former title Single Mother). In 1983, he received the title as King of Tagalog Songs for the second time. It was during this year when Rey faced one of his worst challenges in business and in person. An impostor appeared using his name and looks doings crimes such as car-napping and rape. It even reached to money borrowing money and personal items, all under Rey’s name. Rey made lots of newspaper ads stating that there is an impostor posing as him. He even wrote a song, “My Fans Are In Trouble” in order to inform his fans through music. The impostor seemed unstoppable, so he decided to quit showbiz in 1984 though he is at the peak of his success. He let his hair grow long so that on his comeback in 1988, his impostor had hard time posing as Rey. And ever since, the impostor was never heard again. While making songs for other artists, he also provided himself with albums such as Naaalala Ka, Rey Valera Vol. 2, Walang Kapalit, Hello, The Rey Valera Christmas Album, Gabay Mo Ako, Rey Valera’s Greatest Hits Vol. 1, Rey Valera’ Greatest Hits Vol. 2, Pirapirasong Ala-ala, Sa Kabila Ng Lahat, Kung Sakaling Iibig Muli, FM Ka, AM Ako, Home Sweet Home, And Mahalaga and many more. Mostly, his albums went gold or platinum. Many of his compositions or revivals were used in different soap operas as its theme song such as “Pangako Sa’yo”, “Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako”, and “Maging Sino Ka Man”. His revivals include “Walang Kapalit” of ABS-CBN and GMA’s “Sinasamba Kita”. His songs made mark also as theme songs for movies. Some of his songs were also used as movie titles such as Sharon Cuneta’s Maging Sino Ka Man, Pangako Sa’yo, Kahit Wala Na, Tayong Dalawa; Vilma Santos’ Sinasamba Kita, Romansa, Hiwalay; Romnick Sarmienta’s Pasong Tirad, The Gregorio del Pilar Story, Robin Padilla’s Carnap King, Barumbado, Baby Ama; Aleck Bovick’s Tampisaw. His songs “Nagpapanggap” and “Sa Gitna Ng Buhay Ko” were used as theme songs of the movies Kerida and Naglalayag respectively. He joined forces with Freddie Aguilar, Make Hanopola and Vehnee Saturno. They formed the group SAGA and recorded one album. Their first and the last concert of SAGA was held in Canada on 2000. The group disbanded months later. In 2002, the trio, Rey, Hajji and Rico Puno were reunited in a series of concerts called Greatest Hits. They also launched a VCD recording of their concerts. Rey Valera released his Panghabangbuhay album on July 2005 featuring Saling Ket, his children’s band. The Vicor Music Corporation brought together all the recorded songs of Rey Valera in Walang Kapalit, a 4 disc set album as part of Vicor’s 40th anniversary. On November 9, 2006, Rey was introduced to Walk of Fame in the Hardin Ng Mga Bayani at Sining in Malolos City, Bulakan. Those who were inducted in the Walk of Fame have brought pride to Bulacan in fields of arts and culture. He was among the few Bulakeños who was named Alagad ng Sining at Kultura ng Bulacan or simply Great Artist of Bulacan. A tile with his name was given to Rey and a small pile of wet cement for his hand print. Albums
Awards
Songs from Rey ValeraBack to Filipino Music Homepage Back top of Rey Valera Music Page
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