Gabby evasive when asked about Sharon

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Gabby Concepcion chose to be evasive when asked about ex-wife Sharon Cuneta at the launching of his debut album with Warner Music Philippines. "I'd rather not talk about her at all para hindi na lang ma-misinterpret," he says. "If ever I'd say anything about her, I'd only have good words for her as she really raised our daughter KC well. Saludo ako diyan."

Is he dedicating any of the 12 songs in his self-titled album, like "Ako Pa Ba?" or "Please Forgive Me"?

"No, my songs are not meant for her but for all my listeners. I also want to thank Warner for giving me the chance to do this album and be one part of its roster of multi-platinum artists like Nina, Sitti and Christian Bautista. I was never officially a singer during my early years in showbiz dahil mas nakilala as a matinee idol, as an actor. But while I was in the US, I was able to explore my musical side, singing in concerts that I do for my Pinoy fans there. My record deal with Warner now allows me the chance to explore my love for music while also singing to my fans some timeless love songs."

His album contains a tasteful selection of OPM ballads, classic standards and some surprises, with each song representing a memorable episode in Gabby's movie career and personal life. "I'm happy to re-interpret hits like 'Kung Kailangan Mo Ako' by Rey Valera, 'Iisa Pa Lamang' by Joey Albert, 'Give Me a Chance' by the late Ric Segreto, 'Nakapagtataka' by Hajji Alejandro, 'Just Once' by James Ingram, 'Hanggang by Wency Cornejo, 'When I Met You' by the Apo, and a medley of dance songs by the VST & Company. I also have a duet of 'Come What May' with Nina."

Gabby will charm his way into the heart of his old and new fans with his album as he embarks on a singing career.

His daughter KC's debut film, "For the First Time," will have its premiere on August 16, will he attend the affair and get the chance of meeting Sharon there?

"KC already told me about it and I told her I will go. I won't be the one naman to make the seat arrangements there at kung sakaling magkakatabi man kami nina Sharon or seated in the same row, walang problema sa akin."

***

Maui Taylor's last film, "Bugbog Sarado," was shown five years ago yet. "Ang tagal na," she says. "Kaya naman happy akong my comeback movie, 'Torotot,' is getting good reviews and is also competing in the Brussels International Filmfest. All those who've seen it praise my performance and they were all shocked by the climax of the movie nang bugbugan scene namin ni Baron Geisler, who plays my husband."

It looks so violent on screen. Was she really hurt while shooting it? "'Yung mga sapakan, daya lang. Ang masakit, 'yung sobrang pinisil ni Baron ang cheeks ko and my arms kasi gigil na gigil siya sa galit sa akin after seeing me cheating on him with my lover, Andrew Schimmer. Then I fell from the top of a high table onto the floor at nagkapasa 'yung butt ko. But it's all worth it kasi kapag napanood mo 'yung sequence na 'yun, you'll get carried away."

What's her experience in working with Baron? Is he really difficult on the set?

"Actually, mabait siya. Palabiro lang and naughty, but he knows how to respect women. Para kasi siyang bata na mahilig mang-asar, but when he sees na mapipikon ka na, he stops and says he's sorry. Kaya nagulat nga ako nang mademanda siya. Parang hindi 'yun ang Baron na kakilala ko."

Doing "Torotot" proved to be a good buwena mano for her as she has just finished a new sex-drama for no less than National Artist Eddie Romero, "Teach Me to Love," where she plays a teacher who mentors teen actor Nathan Lopez ("Maximo Oliveros") about the birds and the bees. Also in the film is Tonton Gutierrez as Nathan's dad. "Meron pa akong bagong offers, 'Saplot' and 'Aurora B,' I just don't know kung alin ang pipiliin kong gawin," she adds. "I'm also in a new horror show on ABC-5, 'Midnight DJ,' with Desiree del Valle and Paolo Contis. It will start airing this Tuesday, August 5, at 7 p.m."

* * *

Cesar Montano hosted a party for all his co-workers in "The Singing Bee" at his restaurant, Bellis-simo, on Sct. Castor St. last Tuesday night. "I thought it's going to be our last taping day but we were informed that extended pa kami for another two weeks," he says. "This is the second extension kaya instead of the original one season of 13 weeks, bale aabutin kami ng 17 weeks. We will rest for one month then 'The Singing Bee' will be back as a one hour show on weekends."

This week's guests who just taped for the show include children of celebrities: Ciara Sotto, Epi Quizon, Joko Diaz, Megan Aguilar, Bodie Cruz and Krista Ranillo. "Joko Diaz surprised us," says unit head Alou Almaden. "Ang galing-galing niya. Then we also have singers Agot Isidro, Blakdyak and Jojo Alejar as guests, plus 'yung mga muntik na sanang manalo pero nagkamali lang like Nyoy Volante, Desiree del Valle and Vice Ganda. Ang galing ni Vice at siya ang naiwang defending champion. Bakanext week, manalo na ng P1 million kung tuloy-tuloy ang winning streak niya."

The affair also served as a birthday party for Cesar and his wife Sunshine Cruz was there to help entertain the guests. Shine admitted to us that all's well between them now. "For three nights now, doon na ako natutulog sa new house namin in Tivoli Royale with our three daughters. But I still haven't totally left our condo kasi one year ang contract ko doon. As for our house in Sct. Rallos, gagawin 'yung extension ng Bellissimo Restaurant kasi laging puno itong nasa Sct. Castor and we need a bigger place."

So how did Cesar win her back?

"Inamo-amo naman niya talaga ako at ako naman, I never really closed my doors on him. I'm glad he finally stood by me, which should really be the case naman as I'm his wife. We have agreed that we'll seek marital counseling kasi kung minsan, away-bati pa rin kami. He rushed the construction of our new house para nga naman bagong buhay kami rito. Each time he'd take me there then, may reklamo ako. O, bakit wala akong salamin sa kuwarto? Bakit walang aircon? And when I returned, meron na agad ng mga nire-request ko. Now, after his last taping day for 'Singing Bee,' he'll take me to the Beijing Olympics on August 17 at one week kami roon."

Oh, a second honeymoon?

"Parang ganun. He also promised me that he'd take me with him when goes to the US in September to attend to some business. Sana lang, 'yung mga naghahangad na masira ang marriage namin, tumahimik naand leave us in peace. Maawa naman sila sa mga anak namin."

Were their kids affected when they separated?

"They don't say anything but my eldest, who's 6, each time we pray, she'll say na sana, mom and dad will get together again. Sa wishing well, 'yun daw lagi ang wish niya. Tuwang-tuwa sila when they watch their dad sa 'Singing Bee.' Niloloko ko nga, is Cesar Montano your dad? When they say, yes, I'd say, no, your dad is Buboy."

What about her rift with Cesar's sister?

"I believe it will heal, in God's own time."

***

John Prats is a Kapamilya and Ehra Madrigal is a Kapuso. Now, they are paired for the first in Studiomax' "Loving You," a romantic film about workers in a call center many young people today can identify with. The two admit they were both nervous on their first shooting day.

"Siempre, nakakailang kasi first time namin to work with each other and we come from rival stations pa," says John. "Actually, nang mabasa ko pa lang ang lineup ng cast, sabi ko, wow, ako lang ang taga-ABS. Pero okay na rin kasi si Ehraang kapareha ko at hanep ang kaseksihan niya, 'di ba?"

As for Ehra, she's excited to be paired with John. "Wala pa ako sa showbiz, napapanood ko na siya dahil nag-start siya as a child actor, 'di ba? So more or less, nasubaybayan ko ang career niya. Bilib ako sa kanya kasi hindi lang siya magaling umarte kundi ang husay ring sumayaw kaya nga siya tinawag na 'Dance Floor Dynamite,' 'di ba?"

So what's John's impression of Ehra when they finally got to work together?

"After a few scenes pa lang, relaxed and comfortablena kami sa isa't isa. At na-prove kong hindi lang siya sexykundi magaling pang artista. I enjoyed making 'Loving You' with her at sana, masundan pa ito."

As for Ehra, she not only enjoyed working with John but she was also challenged by her role as Bry, a girl who keeps on falling in love with the wrong guy.

"Sa story, ka-live in ko si Eri Neeman, a TV host who's being introduced here, pero niloloko niya ako. When I catch him in bed with another woman, I had a breakdown and it's one of my acting highlights in the movie. Si John naman is Axel, a taxi driver na naging friend ko kasi siya ang regular na sumusundo't naghahatid sa'kin to the call center where I work. And who helps me forget my bad experience with guys."

"But I do have my own personal problems also," says John. "After so many years, I finally meet again my long-lost father na iniwan kami ng family ko kaya sobrang sama ng loob ko sa kanya. Si Ehra ang tumulong sa akin that I have to learn to forgive. So, 'yung aming driver-passenger relationship, nauwi sa romance."

John and Ehra's love story is just one of the four endearing love tales in "Loving You" that also features the romances of Polo Ravales and Jean Garcia, Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica, and JC de Vera and Yasmien Kurdi. It will have its premiere night on August 17 at SM Megamall and opens nationwide on August 20.

***

One more scholar is leaving "Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2" tomorrow night. Last Saturday, the bottom five were Bunny, Van, Miguel, Laarni and Apple. Bunny was saved by the mentors and Van was saved by his co-scholars. The remaining probees are Miguel, Laarni and Apple, all good singers but one of them has to go. Apple was the one who's inconsolable. She cried her heart out inside the bathroom and told others to leave her alone. Later she confided that she has difficulty accepting that "Bugoy beat me. Now, I feel so worthless."

The highest pointer is again Liezel, who got a score of 9.67, followed by Honorary Scholar Poy who got 9.42. Tomorrow, they will songs that are their Mentor's Choice. And these are the tunes their teachers Ryan Cayabyab, Kitchie Molina, Joey Reyes and Monet Silvestre chose for them: Anita Baker's "Sweet Love" for Apple, Side A's "Hold On" for Hansen, Al Jarreau's "Spain" for Inaki, Bamboo's "Tatsulok" for Van, Jordin Spark's "Tattoo" for Cris, Spandau Ballet's "True" for Miguel, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" for Laarni, "Lady Marmalade" from "Moulin Rouge" for Bunny, The Emotions' "Best of My Love" for Liezel, George Michael's "As" for Bugoy (who says he doesn't know if he's gay like George), and Barbra Streisand "A Piece of Sky" for Poy. This promises to be a very exciting evening so don't miss it.

Meantime, you can still save your favorite scholar by texting PDA space LAARNI, PDA space MIGUEL or PDA space APPLE on your cellphones and send to 231 for Smart and Talk & Text, and Addict Mobile subscribers and 2331 for Globe, TM, and Sun subscribers. You can also vote online thruwww.pinoydreamacademy.com.ph.

Source: Malaya