MANILA, Philippines — Even after decades in the entertainment industry, Gabby Concepcion continues to draw strength and wisdom from the words of his late father, Rollie Concepcion.
As his father’s death anniversary approaches on Sept. 23, the veteran leading man shared how his father’s guidance still influences how he deals with the highs, lows and everything else in his life and career. (The elder Concepcion passed away in 2008, the year Gabby returned to showbiz after a 13-year hiatus.)
“Sa lahat ng bagay, I remember him, even in my career. He was my first manager. He was really a father,” Gabby shared during a recent intimate press interview.
He admitted that even when looking at himself in the mirror, he is reminded of his dad. “In fact, I have pictures wherein I look like my daddy. Nung bata ako, may picture akong nakita na baby siya, during communion, sabi ko sa Mom ko, ‘Ma, kelan ako nagpakuha ng picture kay Lolo nung communion?’ ‘Hindi ikaw yan, Daddy mo yan.’ We looked alike when he was young. He was just a bit moreno because he was always at the beach.”
For Gabby, going to the beach, his favorite form of destressing, was something he also inherited from his father. “It’s my vice. I’m always at the beach, I cannot do without it,” he revealed, noting how being near the water brings back childhood memories. “Basta nasa beach ako, naaalala ko lang yung time na dinadala ako ng father ko. ‘Pag nasa sand ako and I see the waves, balik 14 years old ako.”
He continued, “I got that from my father. That’s true, you learn a lot from your parents, whether father or mother, as you’re growing up. Marami kang makikita sa kanila, especially if you’ve spent time with them. I miss my father so much. I get emotional when I think of him.”
Gabby said that he often remembers his father. “Many times (I remember him), not just on his (death anniversary) that I remember him… We really look for somebody who can ease the burden, yung father ko ang aking… of course God, I pray to Him but my father, kapag tao pinag-uusapan, talagang father ko.”
His father’s main career advice would prove instrumental to his longevity in showbiz, especially since his entry into the industry was never planned. “Ang linya ko talaga pilot but I’m color blind. I learned I was color blind when I enrolled for flying school (around first or second year in college). They gave me a test for color blindness. Yes, I was disappointed,” Gabby recounted.
“That’s why nowadays I enjoy being on an airplane during long-haul flights. OK lang sa akin. My only frustration is that I never got to be a pilot but I already played the role of a pilot,” he mused. “Tatlo lang talaga gusto ko mangyari sa buhay ko, flying, dentistry, and real estate. Nagampanan ko naman one out of three. I was a real estate broker in America,” he added.
Looking back on his journey, Gabby further noted that entering showbiz was an accident. “Showbiz was accidental for me. Sabi nga nila, may kumukuha ng mga kursong natatapos nila, pagiging doctor katulad ni Subas Herrero, pero ‘di naman nila nagagamit. Ako natapos ko ang advertising pero ‘di ko naman nagamit. But in a way, it’s related to showbiz.”
He stressed that sometimes life takes unexpected turns, and one must be open to opportunities. “Maraming ganun na natatapos nila pero ‘di nagagamit because they went for another business or livelihood, tapos yun pala yung calling. But whatever it is, sabi nga nila, ‘di naman totoo din kung ano gusto mo yun ang gawin mo. Yes, to a certain point, but if an opportunity comes, tingnan mo rin baka okay din, eto ang nangyari sa akin.”
On how his dad changed his perspective on a showbiz career, he said, “Again, sabi kasi ng Daddy ko, ‘Andyan ka na kasi, galingan mo na.’” And despite initially feeling that showbiz wasn’t his path, the actor accepted it as his calling.
Gabby expressed his gratitude for how things have since turned out for him and the fans who have stood by him. He particularly witnessed and felt their loyalty during the successful “Dear Heart” reunion concerts with ex-wife and love team partner Sharon Cuneta in late 2023.
Producer NY Entourage Productions led by Nancy Young has announced a US-Canada tour edition of “Dear Heart” that will start on Oct. 26 at Harrah’s Resort in Southern California. It will be followed by a string of shows: Oct. 27 at Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California and on Nov. 2 at The Meeting House in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
There will be a show at The Venue, Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, Canada on Nov. 15; Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on No. 17; Club Regent Events Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Nov. 21; Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu on Nov. 23; and Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey, British Columbia on Nov. 29.
Gabby once again credited his father. “I always mention my father because siya yung pinaghuhugutan ko. My father said, ‘What did you do to make (the fans) love you?’ Actually, wala naman talaga. Kinuha ka ni Mother Lily (Monteverde of Regal), gumawa ng pelikula, sila nanood ng pelikula, minahal ka nila, for whatever reason.”
Gabby admitted that when he left in the ‘90s for the US, he never thought he’d come home and restart his career. “I no longer wanted to come back because (I felt) showbiz wasn’t for me… But it’s what gave me back my life. So, I’m thankful not only to the producers but, of course, to the many fans who support the programs of our producers, who in return indirectly support me.”
He humbly acknowledged that not everyone gets a second chance in the industry. “I heard not everybody gets the chance to go back, so I don’t know eh. Whenever I’m asked, ‘What’s the formula?’I really don’t know. Maybe He’s the formula,” Gabby reflected.
“When I’m asked, ‘Do you believe in God’? In my case, how can you not? After everything a person goes through — everyone has ups and downs — and yet, you’re still placed there, why? So, how can I not?”
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