MANILA BULLETIN
STYLE WEEKEND - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
I'M HERE FOR PEACE
as told to KRIZETTE LAURETA CHU
portraits MAAN PALMIERY
"When I was in the States,
it could have been better that selling homes after being a celebrity would seem surreal . But no, being in showbizness was
what seemed like a dream to me. I was like, my God, I joined showbiz! I couldn't believe I joined showbiz! And here I am in
an office, selling homes and thinking, I should have done this when I was in my 20s! But then again, I wouldn't be here now
So I told myself, I'll take this day by day. I think I can manage this. I'll just take whatever He gives me. God has always
given me twists in my life---the things I don't want to do, that's whathe gives me. The things I want to do, he doesn't give
me! Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to fly and become a pilot, but I found ut when I took the exam that I was color blind.
Then I wanted to become a dentisst. I was first day, last day at the UERM for me. Because I was already in the movies by then:
People would come out of their classrooms, sit on the chairs near mine, camp out in the corridors, and the teacher couldn't
start teaching!
Believe
me fame never got to my head. Because really, I never wanted to be in showbiz. It was never a passion. I never thought people
would be taking my picture, or that I'd have interviews, or walk the red carpet. I was never like, okay[my goal would be that]one
of these days I'd host, have my own teleserye.... it was never like that I was camera, shy all the time. I never liked my
jaw because I thought it was too big. Before, I felt like whenever I looked at the mirror all i could see was my jaw, although
now I realize that that's my asset. And my dad would always put me at bay. He tells me, you're in the movies for a reason,
and it's not for you. You're there as an instrument. So out of showbiz, I did medical missions, way back in the '80s and '90s
when I was still active. But I never publicized it. In Anilao where I had a beach resort, I would do it every December for
the whole peninsula. I'd invite doctors to treat the patients and in exchange for their coming, I would treat them to the
resort. That was my dad said about not just being 'in the movies' but actually doing something bigger. I intend to do that
again I just need to get my own place soon.
My dad alwasy reminded me, when you reach the top, it's gonna be great and you may forget the people
you met on your way up, but on your way down, it's the same people you're gonna see. I could never forget that...
Grab a copy of Manila Bulletin
September 12, 2008 , To Read Full Story.
GABBY FOR I/M CLOTHING CONCEPT
Now The No. 4 Top Selling Album at Odyssey!!
Top 4 As of September 1, 2008
Concert tour ni Gabby, kinansela Joe Barrameda
NAKAUSAP
namin si Arlene Lipana, ang co-producer ni Mommy Rose Flaminiano sa concert ni Gabby Concepcion kamakailan sa Music Museum. Taliwas
sa mga naglalabasang balita ay kumita ang concert at kaunti lang ang ipinamigay na complimentary tickets. Kami nga ay
nautusan ng aming kaibigan na bumili ng 30 tickets na tig-P2,500.
Nahirapan kaming makakuha ng magandang upuan dahil
nabili na ang mga magagandang lugar sa concert venue. Dahil 30 tickets ang binili namin ay nabigyan kami ng isang complimentary
ticket, na ginamit ni Karen Martinez.
Noong panahong iyon ay hindi namin alam na co-producer si Mommy Rose ng concert.
Ang akala namin ay si Arlene lang ang producer. Ewan kung bakit ayaw ipaalam ni Mommy Rose na co-producer siya rito.
Hindi
rin alam ni Arlene kung bakit ayaw ipaalam ni Mommy Rose na kasosyo ito sa concert na iyon na opening salvo sana sa 20-city
concert tour ni Gabby.
Naisip na lang namin na kaya ayaw ipaalam ni Mommy Rose na co-producer siya sa concert ay para
makaiwas sa mga nanghihingi ng libreng tickets.
Nalaman lang ni Gabby na kasosyo si Mommy Rose nang mag-meeting
sila sa ABS-CBN kung saan iniabot ni Arlene kay Mommy Rose ang kontrata about the concert.
Binasa ni Gabby ang
kontrata. Doon niya nalaman na kasosyo sa concert ang manager niyang si Mommy Rose. Nagalit daw si Gabby dahil hindi
ipinaalam sa kanya na kasosyo si Mommy Rose.
Tumayo si Gabby at nag-walkout sa meeting na iyon. Naguguluhan
si Arlene. Damay siya sa problema nina Mommy Rose at Gabby.
Dahil sa mga nasusulat sa problema nina Gabby at Mommy
Rose ay nawala na ang sponsors ng mga concert ni Gabby na gagawin sana sa iba’t ibang lungsod sa Pilipinas.
Malaki
ang naging puhunan ni Arlene sa dala wang gabing show ni Gabby sa Music Museum dahil napakaraming artistang binayaran. Balak
ni Arlene na bawiin ang malaking gastos sa mga upcoming concerts ni Gabby. Eh hindi na nga matutuloy ang concert tour. Wala
na kasing sponsors.Ayaw ng sponsors na madamay sa gulong nangyayari.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Negrenses 'go
gaga over Gabby
GABBY Concepcion's 'magic' good looks remain alive among his fans in Bacolod and Negros
Occidental as thousands went '***' over him during his mall tour at SM City-Bacolod Saturday afternoon.
"It's unbelievable that more than 1,500 shoppers from all walks of life trooped
to the Event Center (of SM City) just to see Gabby Concepcion," said Lorena Quizan-Martinez, SM public relations officer.
Compared to other showbiz personalities who visited SM City-Bacolod since last year, Martinez said Gabby drew the
crowds. Aside from around 1,500 who crowded the Event Center, Martinez said: "These don't include yet the crowd along
the streets and even at the airport in Silay who mobbed the actor."
Concepcion's tour at SM City Bacolod was the
fifth in his Visayas-Mindanao (VisMin) tour for SM Supermalls nationwide, aimed at promoting his return to show business,
including his soon-to-be shown teleserye with ABS-CBN together with Claudine Barreto, Diether Ocampo, Susan Roces and Jaime
Fabregas, among others.
With his down-to-earth attitude, Concepcion didn't fail his fans in Bacolod during his one-hour
performance on stage, singing three of his favorite songs, including 'Tanging Ikaw', 'Paminsan-Minsan Lang' and 'Endless Love'.
While on stage, Concepcion also breached protocol by allowing some of his lady fans to climb on stage, hug, kiss,
and do a duet with him.
Others also brought old photographs and posters of the actor while many of Concepcion's avid
fans kneeled on the floor just to get a picture of him.
"It's good to be back here in the country after 13 years of
staying in the States and it's also good to note that Bacolod and Negros still welcome me with open arms," the actor said
on stage, adding: "Thank you, thank you for your warm welcome."
Concepcion told local media in a press conference
that he couldn't really believe the turnout in Bacolod, which gathered a multitude of people. "For me, it's a gratifying moment
that people not only here in Bacolod but also in other parts of the country still accept me."
He, however, clarified
that his comeback in the country was not meant for him to also return to showbiz. "I went home because my dad is sick. And
it's a mortal sin for me if he dies later and I am not on his side."
But Concepcion admitted his well-publicized comeback
also led him to showbiz again with ABS-CBN and its sister company Star Cinema offering him an exclusive contract for movies
and teleseryes.
Concepcion, though, clarified he can still make a movie with GMA Films together with Jolina Magdangal
because it already has a signed contract prior to his comeback. "ABS-CBN knew it and they also gave me a go signal to consummate
that contract with GMA 7, so there's no problem anymore."
The actor asked his Negrense and Bacoleņo fans to support
his teleseryes and upcoming movies.
Formerly dubbed as a "womanizer" in showbiz, Concepcion was a former husband of
Megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan and the father of model-turned-actress KC (Kristina Cassandra) Concepcion.
His romance
with businesswoman Grace Ibuna, model Jenny Sequia, beauty queens Anjannette Abayari and Dindi Gallardo, among others, also
made Concepcion "more hotter" in the Philippine showbiz during the early 90s
"I thank all my ex-girls for still being
receptive of me and for being friendly with me also," quipped Concepcion. "Now, I promised to spend more time with my family
and probably do some apostolic or charitable works for children, including the conduct of some medical missions anywhere in
the country."
Asked if there's a possibility that he could also make a movie with Cuneta or with his daughter KC,
Concepcion said: "If everything goes well, why not?"
On doing sexy movies in the future, the actor said: "Well, it
depends on the movie. But if it's really too sexy, I'll just consult my daughters first."
He added that he maintained
his good looks and physique despite him being 45 years old "by simply having a big heart for everybody and by just eating
a lot of vegetables and fish and staying away from rice and beef, among other carbohydrate-rich foods." (Erwin Ambo Delilan)
After his controversial comeback, actor Gabby Concepcion is starting
his life and new career in local showbiz. He is now preparing for his first television series on ABS-CBN entitled "Iisa Pa
Lamang."
The confirmation of the project was made by his newest talent manager
Rose Flaminiano.
"Oo, kumpirmado na iyong television series at sa May 2, Friday ang
first taping day namin at siguro mga last week of June ang airing ng series," Flaminiano told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
Flaminiano added that Concepcion will be working with the brightest
stars of the Kapamilya network like Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo, Angelica Panganiban and the "Queen of Philippine Movies",
Susan Roces.
Flaminiano said Concepcion is very pleased with his new project. "He
was amazed and this is his first television series. Nagkaroon na kami ng pag-uusap and he likes it very much. Maganda siya,
maganda ang istorya."
She said the series is an original story and not a remake of the 1992
movie starring Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta.
"Parang si Gabby ay mag-isang pag-ibig lang at may ibang may gusto
sa kanya, doon iinog ang istorya. Yung song ay yun pa ding "Iisa Pa Lamang" na kinanta ni Joey Albert pero yung story ay hindi
remake o base doon sa pelikula ni direk Jose Javier Reyes," she said.
Flamiano said that for the series, Concepcion will be attending acting
workshops and from May 2 onwards, the actor will be spending his Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays taping the series.
"Sa May 2 din ang airing ng kanyang "Maalaala Mo Kaya" at same day
naman ay yung first taping nya for the television series... ang kakanta ng theme song ng series ay si Lani Misalucha," she
said.
Gabby Concepcion’s second wind CHANNEL SURFING By Althea Lauren
Ricardo Tuesday, April 8, 2008 - Philstar.com
One of the prodigal sons of Philippine showbiz, Gabby Concepcion,
is back home and receiving some sort of wild reception that surprises even him. It surely helps that he's still looking every
bit of the matinee idol that he was in the 1980's. And he couldn't have come at a better time, though. KC Concepcion, his
daughter with ex-wife Sharon Cuneta, is currently hot showbiz property.
One really late night a couple of weeks ago,
I caught Music & Lyrics on cable TV. This movie, which put Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore together in a love team for the
first time, follows the post-fame life of 1980's pop star Alex Fletcher (Grant) as he attempts to revive his career by writing
a hit song for a new teen sensation. Desperate, he elicits the support of Sophie Fisher (Barrymore), a former creative writing
student and current insecure writer who, in a meet cute, comes to his apartment to water his plants. Alex is on his second
wind.
In one of their exchanges, Alex tells Sophie about his comeback. He describes how, after his group disbanded,
he tried to establish his own career as a solo artist. It didn't go well, and he coasted along, until one day years later,
he was invited to perform in a small party. He said some of his fans, now considerably older, received him very well, and
from then on, at least when it came to smaller venues, it was as if he was never gone.
It was this exchange that came
to my mind when I read in the newspaper that one of the prodigal sons of Philippine showbiz, Gabby Concepcion, is back home
and receiving some sort of wild reception that surprises even him. His main reason for being here, he says, is to be here
for his ailing father's birthday. But it surely helps that he's still looking every bit of the matinee idol that he was in
the 1980's.
I caught him for the first time on Rated K over the weekend. In his interview with Korina Sanchez, he talked
about how his first phone call with KC went and he was a little bit teary-eyed. It hit me how handsome he really is, with
his baby face and red cheeks and all. In fact, I think he can give Aga Muhlach, who's one of the very few active ‘80s
stars left and is currently being paired with today's hottest young stars who'd otherwise use po and opo with him, a run for
his money.
It's also apparent that Gabby's on the mend. The years away become him, and maybe we can see added depth
into his art. He was a fine actor. He could be even better now that he's experience a lot in his life. I hope it's all uphill
from hereon.
Gabby Concepcion sparks
'Gabbymania!' at ABS-CBN; will do teleserye, films for Star Cinema
By RAMIL DIGAL GULLE abs-cbnNEWS.com
Are we seeing just the beginning of Gabbymania?
Less than 24 hours since actor Gabby Concepcion set foot in the Philippines on Sunday--for the first time in 13 years --he already
sent fans and production staff a-screaming when he came to ABS-CBN.
He sparked a mini-stampede at the studio where
The Buzz was airing live, and even the usually grimly serious staff at the ABS-CBN central news desk--women and men--were
reduced to a frenzy of giggles and digicam-and-cellphone cam-flashing when he dropped by the news room.
Concepcion confirmed in his interview over The Buzz on Sunday that he already spoke to Malou Santos, managing
director of Star Cinema (the film production outfit of ABS-CBN) and he was already offered two film projects.
He added
that ABS-CBN has also offered him a teleserye.
It is undeniable proof of Concepcion's star power--his thirteen years away from show
business notwithstanding. Thirteen years away from show business seem to have done very little to diminish Concepcion's romantic leading man looks.
In fact, The Buzz host Boy Abunda's first question to the actor
at the interview was, "Bakit ang guwapo mo (Why are you so good-looking)?" Concepcion had to pause for a beat and mumbled something about genetics.
Indeed, the actor is several pounds heavier and
age is already evident on the face that was first discovered some two decades ago as a model for a toothpaste commercial.
But
his winning smile and finely-chiseled features remain. Whatever roughness that maturity and hardships have etched on his once
boyishly handsome features only seems to have heightened his appeal.
Comeback Concepcion left the country in 1995, several months after the 1994 Manila Film Festival scandal where he returned
his Best Actor trophy after it was found out that the real winner of the award was, in fact, Edu Manzano.
Concepcion was the one who blew the whistle on his then manager Lolit Solis, whom he tagged as the mastermind
behind an attempt to fraudulently proclaim him and then young actress Ruffa Gutierrez as the winners in the Best Actor and
Best Actress categories.
"Nung umalis ako nung '95, nilagay ko na yon sa likod ko (When I left in '95 I left everything
behind me. Yon, sabi ko I think I need to move on. Not everyone has the chance to succeed in show business. I felt I had my
time)," he told Abunda.
In the United States, Concepcion used whatever savings he had from his very successful Philippine showbiz career to study at LincolnUniversity. He finished two degrees simultaneously
then went into the real-estate business. He eventually became one of the top ten real estate brokers in the US state of California.
He said that for the longest time, he was dead set on never returning to the Philippines.
"Ayaw ko na sana bumalik. Maraming nangyari. Nasaktan ako. Hindi ko
na rin naisip na babalik akong Pilipinas," he told Abunda.
(I never wanted to come back. Too much had happened. I was
very hurt. I never thought of coming back to the Philippines)
Concepcion said that he felt compelled to return for
the sake of his father Rolly, who is suffering from a heart condition. It has become serious enough for his father to become
wheelchair-bound.
"Dumami ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan kong umuwi. Dahil sa ama ko. Maysakit na siya sa puso. Hindi
ko pwedeng sabihin sa sarili ko na well ganyan ang buhay. Idadasal ko na lang. Pag may nangyari sa kanya hindi ko mapapatawad
ang sarili ko," he said.
(The compelling reasons for me to come back piled up. My dad has heart disease. I can't just
tell myself that that's life and then pray about it. If anything happens to him I won't be able to forgive myself.)
Concepcion also clarified an issue of his supposed welching on a contract with GMA Films for a movie with Jolina
Magdangal. The actor said that he is still committed to the project, except that there's "slight conflict" that has to be
resolved.
The actor also admitted that part of the "slight conflict" is the emphasis that the movie would place on
him. He explained that since any film he would do with GMA would be his comeback movie, he would want such a film to have
greater focus on him.
"Maraming dahilan eh. Kung ito nga ay magiging comeback. it has to be a comeback kasi kung hindi
ko magiging comeback, bakit ko gagawin?" he said.
(There are several reasons. If this would be a comeback for me, it
has to really be a comeback. Because if it isn't, why would I bother doing it?)
The actor then said that he already
spoke with the GMA Films executives and clarified that he is still honoring his contract for the movie with Magdangal.
Movie
with KC and Sharon? Concepcion also expressed great interest in someday making a movie with his ex-wife Sharon Cuneta, his daughter
KC or a movie with all three of them together.
"Sharon has been part of my life. Of course I’d like to do a movie with her. I'd love to do a movie
with KC. She's my daughter after all. Sharon is the mother of my daughter; it would be nice
if we could do something together.
"Maraming intrigang papasok dyan. Katulad nga ng sabi ni Sharon paglalaruan lang. Pero kung maiiwasan natin yan why not, you know? Gumawa tayo, ipakita natin sa tao, tutal yon
ang gusto nila," he said.
(I know there would be a lot of intrigues. Like what Sharon
said, some people could just make a circus out of the whole thing. But if we could find a way to prevent that from happening,
why not? Let's make the movie because that's what people would love to see.)
Concepcion also said that he's very happy about his coming projects with ABS-CBN although there aren't any specifics as of yet.
"I'm very excited about the projects kasi, I know kung paano gumawa ang Channel 2 (I know how good Channel 2 is at that sort
of thing)."
Peace with Lolit He also revealed that he is now on good terms with his former manager Lolit
Solis. He said that he and Solis patched things up in Las Vegas, when they both went there to watch Manny Pacquiao's
last fight.
"Wala na kaming tampuhan ni Lolit. In fact, nagkita kami sa Las Vegas. Nagulat nga ako na lumapit sya sa akin. Nag-usap kami na-settle namin yon on the spot. Sabi niya, "O sige bati
na tayo. Pahingi ng 100 dollars.' Buti meron akong 100 dollars. Kung hindi baka hindi pa kami nag-bati," he said, laughing.
(There's
no more bad blood between me and Lolit. If fact, we met in Las Vegas. I was surprised that she approached me. We talked
and settled everything on the spot. She said, "We're okay now. Now give me a hundred dollars. Good thing I had a hundred dollars
on me or else we wouldn't have patched things up.)
Abunda then asked if Concepcion is aware whether his ex-wife still has any gripes or grudge against him.
"Meron nga ba? Well, siguro sa mga
naririnig natin noon may galit siya sa akin. But that's all in the past. Kung ano man ang kasalanang nagawa ko sa kanya
o kahit kanino, nandito ako para humingi ng pagpapatawad. So let's put all the issues behind us now. I'm not here para mang-intriga.
Nandirito ako to start a new life," he replied.
(Does she really? Well, before I used to hear from others that she's
angry at me. But that's all in the past. Whatever mistakes I made, whomever I offended before whether it's Sharon or someone
else, I'm here to ask for forgiveness. I want to start a new life.)
Humbling lesson The actor told Abunda
that his experience of going from a showbiz superstar to hitting rock-bottom in the United States was a very humbling one.
"On my part, the United States is very humbling. Dun ako natutong wala kang alalay. Wala kang kasama ikaw gagawa lahat. Walang tutulong sa iyo maliban
ang sarili mo. Dun ko nakita na sadsad ka pero babangon ka rin dahil sa sarili mong gawa. Yun mapagpagaralan mo yon. Mangyayari
lang yon at mararamdaman mo lang yon pag napadpad ka don."
(It was in United States that I learned to live life without any assistants. Over there you have to do everything yourself. No one will help
you except yourself. I experienced what it's like to fall on your face and then get up again using your own hard work. You'll
learn that only when you go through it and feel it when you find yourself in that same place.)
He also thanked all
the Filipinos in the United States who helped him out when he was starting to build his
own life, away from the glamour, fame and comforts of a showbiz career.
"Mahaba ang 13 years. Unang-una gusto kong
magpasalamat sa kapwa Pilipino natin na nasa Amerika na nagtiwala sa akin nung ako'y pumasok sa real estate. Sila rin ang
tumatawag at sila rin ang napagbebentahan ko. At pinagkatiwalaan nila ako. Sino ba itong artista na ito na may nalalalaman
sa real estate? Pinagkatiwalaan nila ako," he said.
(Thirteen years is a long time. I give my thanks first to
all our fellow Filipinos in America who trusted me when I went into real estate. They were the ones who called on me and they were the
ones I sold property to. And they trusted me. I mean, it was good of them to give a chance to an actor who claimed to know
about real estate. They trusted me.)
YES! 100 MOST BEAUTIFUL STARS
YES Magazine (Page #66)
To most young people, Gabby Concepcion is now known simply as the ex-husband of the Megastar
Sharon Cuneta and the biological father of her eldest daughter KC Concepcion. But to those who first saw him flash his sweet
charming smile in a CloseUp toothpaste commercial and in his early movies in the '80s, Gabby Concepcion will forever be remembered
as the clean-cut tisoy hearthrob who drove young girls gaga.
With his physical attributes-fair skin, broad shoulders, naturally
pinkish lips--Gabby really came on strong. Yet, at the same time, he always came across as the Mr. Nice Guy who looked neat
and fresh at all times. "He's exactly the way I pictured him to be, " his daughter KC wrote in her blog when she met with
him in 2006, after 10 years of not seeing him.
Gabby Concepcion, almost 44, is now a succesful real-estate broker
and agent in California, U.S.A. But his being away from the limelight has obviously not diminished the good looks that made
him the country's hottest matinee idol a few decades ago.
The incorrigible Lolit Solis, Gabby's manager when he still had his
showbiz career here in the Philippines, has a simple explanation for Gabby's enduring appeal: "Hindi lang siya guwapo. Totoong
mabait siya."
What Does Sharon Really Think of Gabby By: Remy Umerez, Filipino
Star Magazine July 1981
Star: They say that the right place to really get to know somebody is Baguio. Some of the scenes in Dear Heart took
place in Baguio. We presumed you said more than “hi” to Gabby during your 2 weeks stay in that city?
Sha: It was strictly work and we only talked when we were in front of the camera.
Star: Why is this so?
Sha: We had very few scenes taken together in Baguio because Danny Z. shot individual scenes. It was in Manila,
at the university campus, to be exact, where our romance in the movie started. That was the time we talked about a lot of
things.
Star: That’s when you got to know Gabby more as a person?
Sha: Yes. April 5 to be exact. We attended this rally at Plaza Miranda and since we could not watch the proceedings
of the program because there were so many people, we went to the rooftop and we sat down and talked. We talked about our likes
and dislikes, the intrigues in the movies, our zodiac signs and other things that came into our head.
Star: A lot of negative things have been written about Gabby. Why do you think the press does this to Gabby?
Sha: Because they don’t know him that well. He gives out an impression that he is aloof at parang ilag.
He is also shy. But once he opens up, you’ll find out how nice and friendly Gabby is.
Star: What else did you discover about Gabby?
Sha: He is a man of few words but sometimes he can be very outspoken. He reveals his moods through his actions.
He helped me a lot while filming Dear Heart. Like he would tell me not to get nervous and to avoid looking at the camera.
He also warned me about the intrigues in the movies because he is a victim of this. He showed much concern especially when
I was at the verge of tears because of negative things written about me too. He would comfort me & I would feel better.
He told me not to be oversensitive about things like this.
Star: Did he ever make you laugh?
Sha: Oh, yes. Many times. He has this mannerism of making facial expressions that would make me laugh. I burst
into laughter because he tried so hard & it didn’t become him. But he’s so cute. I told him that & he
became cuter. He would do this often lalo na kapag I am lonely. He would do anything to cheer me up.
Star: How else would you describe Gabby?
Sha: He’s conservative, always concerned, protective & thoughtful. He is good & nice all over.
It’s in him already to be very likeable. We have a lot of things in common. He is jolly & he tells funny things.
Star: Was there a time you got mad at him for one reason or another?
Sha: Well, one time he failed to greet me & I made tampo. I didn’t greet him until he greeted me first.
Privelege naming mga babae yan, hindi ba? Very childish, ano? Next moment naman, bati na kami.
Star: What would you consider Gabby’s most endearing trait?
Sha: He is a perfect gentleman. He is the type of a person who couldn’t even hurt a fly. He gives importance
to women.
Star: Now that dear heart has been shown, do you still see each other?
Sha: Of course. He calls up the house often & we talk for hours over the phone. He also visits me when he
has the time.
Brothers Dinky and Gabby
Life Story of Gabby Concepcion by his Brother Dinky Concepcion Published
in Filipino Star magazine July 1981
Editor's note: Luis "Dinky" Concepcion, turning 19 years old, is a sophomore at the Ateneo de Manila. He
is planning a career in Medicine. Dinky is a soccer fanatic and a good football layer. One can tell from reading his article
that Dinky also has the makings of a fine writer.
I was talking with one of my friends one day, he had just finished with a softdrink commercial and we were discussing
how easily he made P800.00 for a day's work. As we were conversing Gabby walked into the room and as if his trend of thought
was disrupted by the prospect of a job, he asked: “What? 800 bucks for a day's work?” So, we explained to him
the circumstances by which he could hope to go about such an endeavor. At first he was skeptical, because not just anybody
can apply for TV commercials.
(MODESTO, California) Gabriel Concepcion, REALTORŪ with Prudential
California Realty (PCR)'s Stockton office, has achieved professional status as a Licensed Real Estate Broker. The Department
of Real Estate (DRE) of the State of California issued the license in March 2007. The announcement was made today by
Craig C. Lewis, president and CEO of PCR.
Real Estate Brokers are required pass an extensive
set of DRE examinations that test for real estate knowledge and real estate transaction skill. Broker licensees are required
to pass eight classes and then the final Broker's License exam. The
State of California allows Real Estate Brokers to transact business as their own entity, whereas Real Estate Salesperson licensees
are required to transact business as a Broker's agent. Real Estate Brokers who choose to affiliate with another Broker rather
than run their own firm are referred to as "Broker Associates."
Concepcion joined PCR in 2003 and has more than
seven years experience in the real estate industry. He specializes in residential real estate and excels in Buyer brokerage
and Seller representation for referrals and relocations. He has received
the Chairman's Circle Gold, Leading Edge Society, Honor/Honour Society, Diamond Club award and the Newcomer of the Year award
for 2004. Concepcion has also achieved his eCertification designation
and is Relocation Certificated. He holds bachelor's degree in International Business Administration from Lincoln University
in Oakdale, California and speaks Tagalog and Spanish.
"In a relatively short period of time, Gabriel has proven to
be a leader in the real estate industry and is an asset to the organization," said Craig C. Lewis, president/CEO of PCR. "His
hard work, determination and dedication to his profession shine through in everything he does."
It’s
an even more special day to Gabby Concepcion and Genevieve "Ginbee" Yatco Gonzalez because they are celebrating their
third wedding anniversary — quietly again, I suppose, just like their wedding three years ago in Stockton, California
It’s a special day because some 45 million Filipinos are expected to troop to the polls to elect a new
set of senators, congressmen and local officials.
It’s an even more special day to Gabby Concepcion and Genevieve "Ginbee" Yatco Gonzalez because they
are celebrating their third wedding anniversary — quietly again, I suppose, just like their wedding three years ago
in Stockton, California.
On this page and the next are photos of that memorable day, published for the first time, thanks to The STAR’s
L.A. correspondent Baby K. Jimenez (or simply BKJ) who happens to be a close friend of Ginbee’s mom Nini Yatco-Gonzalez
who, according to BKJ, "is the cousin of my first cousin Nina Jimenez-Almeda."
The girls belong to a barkada, all from Biņan, Laguna, together with character actress Tessie Batista-Villarama
(wife of Willie Villarama, former congressman of Bulacan).
"We used to roller-skate together at the Rizal Monument Plaza," recalled Baby in her note to Funfare, e-mailed
along with the photos of Gabby and Ginbee. "We grew up watching the handsome and dashing young doctor Jorge Garcia (father
of Iza Calzado’s boyfriend Gerry Garcia) play basketball. Jorge’s team even played against that of FPJ whom I
invited to Biņan for an exhibition. The combos that played at our parties in Biņan included the Hi-Jacks, Orly Ilacad and
The Ramrods and The Tiltdown Men (senatoriable Tito Sotto among the members)."
This recollection is relevant to how Funfare got the "exclusive" wedding photos. Last February, BKJ came home
purposely to watch the concerts of Paul Williams and Cliff Richard, and she and Nini saw each other again at a family reunion
held at BKJ’s late uncle Ambassador Privado Jimenez’s residence in Ayala Alabang.
"As promised," said BKJ, "Nini brought with her Gabby and Ginbee’s wedding album and I asked for a few
copies. Nini, who comes from a wealthy family, was widowed young and I didn’t know until much later that she’s
the mom of Gabby’s wife."
Ginbee attended grade school at Assumption and finished college at De La Salle University.
"According to Nini," BKJ said, "Gabby and Ginbee’s wedding was very private, with only family members
(mostly on Ginbee’s side) and very few close friends present. Walang taga-showbiz. It was held in the morning of May
14, 2004, at the Presentation Catholic Church in Stockton, California. The reception followed at Wine and Roses Hotel in Lodi,
also in California, 10 miles away from the church."
Gabby and Ginbee used to live in Daly City. They have moved to San Ramon, also in California, where they have
a huge plushy residence.
That, I presumed, must be the same house where KC Concepcion, Gabby’s daughter with ex-wife Sharon Cuneta,
stayed for one week when she and her dad were reunited after 10 long years. KC was quoted in interviews that she found her
stepmother (Ginbee, that is) amazing.
"When I got there," KC recounted in an interview with Marie Claire magazine, "he had pictures of me as a baby,
framed, or when I was five, framed. I’m surprised he has a lot of them. And that’s not something you can pull
out of nowhere just because I’m coming. He kept them all these years."
Gabby and Ginbee don’t have a child of their own. Early last year, Ginbee was reported to be "infanticipating"
but the story turned out to be false.
GOODBYE GABBY, HELLO GABRIEL TEXT
& INTERVIEWS BY JO-ANN Q. MAGLIPON YES MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2004
Nine years after he left showbiz and the country, nothing seems to have
changed. Gabby Concepcion, all of 41 years on November 5, still looks every bit the matinee idol.
He has on a neatly pressed, solid-blue long-sleeved
shirt tucked flat into dark pants, its waistline marked by a slim belt. The whole look of him is crisp and clean and fresh.
His hair is slicked back, just right for the slightly thinning head of hair, besides providing the perfect frame for what
remains a movie-star profile.
AFTER 10 LONG YEARS,
GABBY & KC REUNITED NI AMERICA
by Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon
- YES Magazine, October 2006
KC must be the most attractive 21-year
old in the country today. Certainly, she is up there as a most sought-after celebrity
endorser. To date, the Paris-based student has racked up on less than four years’ worth of endorsements, from print
to TV billboards. She is begged to grace every kind of event, too—from charity auctions to fashion shows to premieres
to launches to visits of orphanages. Everyone wants a piece of this girl.
She has appeared in only two professional stage plays(Little Mermaid, Beauty
and the Beast), written just a few newspaper columns, done no movies, produced no books or screenplays, and been away
from the country for the greater part of four years. Still a pretty young resume—but, nevertheless, she is hot. And
people say it’s all because she’s the daughter of.
They are talking, of course, about her mother, Sharon Cuneta, the No.1 celebrity endorser hereabouts, a multi-awarded
movie star with almost 30 years in the business, a big chunk of that spent on top of the heap. But they are also talking,
of course, about her father, Gabby Concepcion, one of the last of the real movie stars and himself a much-sought-after
celebrity endorser when he quit showbiz and left for the United States in 1995.
