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By Ricky T. Gallardo, Entertainment
Editor
After 13 long years, former
matinee idol Gabby Concepcion is back in the country. Concepcion
left the Philippines after being hounded by controversies in his
personal and professional life. He eventually settled and lived a
quiet life in the United States.
He was close to making an acting
comeback this month had he not changed his mind at the last minute.
Concepcion was supposed to shoot a film with GMA Films in Italy
opposite Jolina Magdangal, but talks bogged down before Holy Week.
That is perhaps another reason
why Concepcion chose to fly home instead, to make up for lost time
with his family. Arriving on an early morning Philippine Airlines
flight with his Philippine agent Rose Flaminiano, Concepcion was
welcomed by his father Rollie, who is reportedly not in the best of
health these days.
“I am keeping my options
open,” says Concepcion, who is scheduled to sign a contract today
with Star Cinema Productions, the film outfit of ABS-CBN. Concepcion’s
camp clarified that the contract he earlier signed with GMA Films
is for a movie to be shot outside the Philippines.
Concepcion reckons that it will
also be a wonderful opportunity for him to reconnect with his
daughter KC Concepcion, who is celebrating her birthday on April 7.
KC is the current toast of the entertainment world. Her new drama
anthology just premiered last weekend.
“I am so happy to learn that
she is doing very well,” Concepcion said.
During his time, Concepcion
successfully crossed over from commercial modeling to show business.
After his short-lived marriage to Sharon Cuneta, Concepcion went on
to win acting awards, proving his worth as a first-rate actor and
bankable screen leading man.
Aside from his daughter with
Cuneta, he also sired daughters with San Juan socialite Grace Ibuna
and model-actress Jenny Syquia. Concepcion’s latest wife in the
Untied States has also given birth to another baby girl recently.
Not many have forgotten about
Concepcion’s alleged involvement in the Manila Film Festival
awards fiasco of 1994, spearheaded by his former manager, the
equally controversial Lolita Solis. Solis and Concepcion have
severed their working relationship even before Gabby flew to the US.
There are no details yet for
Concepcion’s movie with Star Cinema, but insiders are moving
heaven and earth to conceptualize a possible father-daughter
team-up. There are also plans of casting Concepcion in a teleserye
on ABS-CBN, and our sources are saying that he might be cast as
Armando in the local production of Betty La Fea.
Concepcion adds that he might
stay in the country for a year to settle all his unfinished
businesses and to make sure his comeback will take off successfully.
“This is still my home. It has always been.” he said.
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