OPM icon Rey Valera recently spoke about his decision not to return as a judge on It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan and shared his advice for The Voice US Season 26 champion, Sofronio Vasquez.

In an interview with Kapamilya news anchor Bernadette Sembrano, Rey revealed that his departure from the popular noontime singing competition was due to health reasons.

“Noong sa Tawag ng Tanghalan kasi, ako ang taga-gong doon. Tuwing nag-gong ako doon, na-o-ospital ako,” Rey revealed.

The veteran singer-songwriter explained that the stress and guilt of eliminating aspiring singers took a toll on his health, leading to frequent hospitalizations due to an upset stomach

“Yung sikmura mo kapag nastress ka, syempre trabaho ko mag-gong doon, ayaw ko noon. Nasa isip ko lahat iyon. Hindi ako nakakatulog doon,” he shared.

Rey went on, “Naoperahan ako dalawang beses sa sikmura. Ganoon iyon kapag na-upset ka, una sa’yo sa sikmura. Kaya nag-take off na ako.”

As the punong hurado (head judge) for several seasons of Tawag Ng Tanghalan, Rey led a panel of esteemed singers and musicians, ultimately deciding the fate of contestants in their Tawag ng Tanghalan journey. However, in 2021, he officially bid farewell to his role.

In a previous interview with PEP, Rey expressed his desire to explore new opportunities in the entertainment industry.

“Wala naman akong kaaway, pero subukan ko naman kayang ibang venue or road. Wala naman akong masamang tinapay kahit kanino doon sa dati, sa ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan.’ Ang ano lang, marami kang kakilala, kaibigan na andito na and, of course, ang home mo is where your friends are. Hindi ka naman napunta sa ibang lugar kung tutuusin kasi iyon ding mga kakilala mo, ang nabago lang is iyong place,” Rey said.

Rey also noted that his role in his new show is much lighter compared to his previous responsibilities as a strict head judge.

“Ang papel ko doon parang nakikigulo lang, Tito. Mas gusto ko iyon. Nakakapagbigay ng advice, better,” he shared with  Bernadette.

Speaking of his Tawag ng Tanghalan days, Rey recalled his belief in Sofronio Vasquez, who recently made history as the champion of The Voice US Season 26 and is now a Star Magic artist.

“Kay Sofronio, noon sa Tawag ng Tanghalan, ramdam ko na hindi siya mananalo pero ang gusto kong sabihin sa kaniya na ‘huwag kang masiraan ng loob.’ Makikita mo na magtatagumpay siya kasi ikaw nakaabot doon, ganoon din siya,” Rey said.

“Alam ko na kung saan siya dalhin, yung ganoong consistent na tao, mahirap talunin iyon.”

Meanwhile,  Rey shared what his current status in life is and how lucky he is on people’s reception to his songs.

“Ngayon, ang tingin ko sa sarili ko na napakaswerte ko na tao.Imagine mo, sa edad ko ito, mayroon pa nanonood sa show ko. Hindi naman ako gwapo. Yung kanta ko ay nagbigay ng maraming good will,” Rey expressed. “May goodwill siya na iniwan, may theme song, may nagbigay ng comfort kapag sila ay nagiisa.”

Rey emphasized his desire to leave behind a meaningful legacy as an OPM singer and songwriter.

“Mayaman na ako financial, isip, mayaman na rin. Legacy, ayon na lang ginagawa ko. Inaayos ko iyong mga kanta para pagdating ng araw na wala ka na  ay ‘ito siya pala gumawa nito’ dahil minsan yung composer nasa likod eh,” he added.