GARY Valenciano's favorite entry in his picture book sums up his 20 successful years in show business. It's the one showing him at age eight flying a kite in the middle of Ugarte Field in Makati .

"It's very symbolic," he shares, explaining that a week before that shot was taken, he had joined a kite-flying contest. Unfortunately, his kite was caught in a tree branch.

To console the dejected boy, his father Vic promised him that they would make another kite, and go back in the park a week later. So, after going to church that Sunday, Gary and his dad drove from their Greenhills home to Makati to fly a kite once more.

And, as captured by Vic's camera, little Gary made it that time.

"I like that photo because it says that, if you don't succeed the first time, keep trying. But, don't do it on your own, try with the people who mean the most to you. It was my dad who was with me, and he took that shot," says Gary with pride.

Vic Valenciano, now 78, is a mechanical and electrical engineering graduate from UP who became a full-time photographer after he retired from office work in 1986. He's been elected president of the Camera Club Philippines twice, and his winning shot for the Year of the Elderly photo contest had been immortalized in a postage stamp.

Vic has been snapping shots of his son since Gary was born 40 years ago, and chronicled his rise to the entertainment world.

Through these photos, Vic has been hoping for the last 20 years to present to the public Gary "inside and out." It's now a reality in the form of a medium-sized book titled "Gary Valenciano by Vic Valenciano."

It is divided into six chapters that represent facets of the pop star's life, respectively titled Show Biz, Onstage, Concerts and Shows, Offstage, Singled Out and Back-ups. It features essays by Gary 's family and a collection of his scribbles.

Leafing through the book's pages, Vic can't help but remember the times when those pictures were taken, and marvel at how Gary has evolved from a shy little boy to a confident performer and artist. "He was living under the shadow of his older brother when he was younger," he recalls.

"Patago-tago pa ang pagda-drums n'ya. He would only play after his brother was done, and nobody would listen to him anymore. It turned out to be his practice until he became very good at it."

Vic gives credit to Gary 's mother for the musical genes. "I'm now writing a book on music although I'm not a musician. Gary 's great singing voice and his ability to move, sing and dance all came from his mom. And I'm proud to say that."

According to Gary , the book is a gift from his father. "It's something that we wanted to put together. For me, it's my way of sharing with people how memorable a life can truly be."