Gabby won't talk about Sharon

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Gabby Concepcion was 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 ako as a matinee idol, as an actor. But while I was in the U. S. , I was able to explore my musical side, singing in concerts 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 Sitting arrangements there at kung sakaling magkakatabi man kami nina Sharon or seated in the same row of seats, walang problema sa akin. "

SUNSHINE, CESAR TOGETHER AGAIN

Cesar Montano hosted a party for all his co-workers in "The Singing Bee" at his restaurant, Bellissimo, 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. Baka next week, manalo na ng P1 million kung tuluy-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? "Inamu-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 return, 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 he goes to the U. S. in September to attend to some business. Sana lang, 'yung mga naghahangad na masira ang marriage namin, tumahimik na and 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, 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. "

PRECIOUS POSITIVE ABOUT MOVIE
NEW sexy star Precious Adona is flattered by the very positive feedback her performANCe in "Tororot" is getting. Those who saw it in a special press preview agree that she's very convincing as the unfaithful wife of Yul Servo who gets caught while making out with her lover Anton Bernardo in a prayer meeting. There are even those who say she'll surely be nominated as best new movie actress.

"Nakakatuwa naman kasi kahit first movie ko pa lang ito, napupuri na ang acting ko," she beams. "I owe it all to our director, Maryo de los Reyes, who really guided my portrayal every step of the way. Also to my co-stars, Yul and Anton, and to Maui Taylor who's my best friend in 'Torotot' na may sariling story as another unfaithful wife. Si Anton ang una kong naka-love scene and I was very nervous when we shot our first love scene. He assured me na hindi niya ako pababayaan kaya nagawa ko ang eksena. Now, ang prayer ko na lang is hindi lang mapuri ang movie kundi kumita rin sana dahil dito nakadepende yung magiging next project ko sa Viva. "

NEW BARON?

Baron Geisler wants to turn over a new leaf. "I know I have a bad boy image na lasenggo ako, palaaway," he says. "I want to change that as I can feel the Lord is giving me the chANCe to do so. After all the bad news about me, heto, I won a best actor award in Cinemalaya for 'Jay' and now I'm also getting good feedback for my role as the cuckolded husband of Maui Taylor in 'Torotot'. 'Jay' will be shown at the Venice Filmfest and I'm leaving on August 26 to attend it. Tapos, 'Torotot' naman is joining the Brussels Filmfest in November at, sana makasama rin ako roon. I also play a very challenging role in the new ABS-CBN soap, 'Eva Fonda;' as the son of Jean Saburit and Mark Gil who rapes our housemaid, played by Cristine Reyes. God is really good dahil all these projects came at a time na down na down ako. They really helped boost my morale and inspire me to do better kasi mahal ko naman talaga ang trabaho ko. "

Is he really an alcoholic? "No, wala pa naman ako roon kasi I can still be in control of myself. Right now, matagal na akong hindi umiinom. Dati, may magyaya lang sa akin, sige, sama ako and I drink all kinds of alcoholic beverages. Ngayon, siguro, twice a month na lang kung uminom ako. I started drinking at a very young age. I was only 14. It got worse nang matapos ang long-running show namin, 'Tabing Ilog,' at mawalan ako ng work. My work is my life at nang mawalan ako ng ginagawa, na-depress ako. E, pag lasing na ko, I can be a sira ulo. I owe a lot to Direk Maryo de los Reyes kasi siya lang ang nagtiwala uli sa'kin when he got me in 'Calla Lily' and now, in 'Torotot. ' Ngayon, gusto ko na talaga magbago kaya sana, tuluy-tuloy na ito. "

Why doesn't he try to patch things up with the family of William Martinez after he was sued for allegedly harrassing their daughter Patrizha? "That's beyond me now. I don't want to expound on that anymore kasi ang court na ang bahala doon. We're just waiting for the decision of the fiscal. I texted Mommy Yayo once saying I'm sorry but the text message was even used against me, so natatakot na ako to communicate with them now at baka gamitin na naman sa akin. Pero ako, gusto ko na talagang matapos ito para wala nang negative vibes sa buhay ko. I want everything to be positive now so I can start on a clean slate. "

"Torotot" will have a special screening at the UP Film Institute (uncut version) this Saturday (for tickets, call 926-3640) and a premiere night in Davao on August 19, before it opens nationwide on August 20. It has also been officially invited to be an entry (in competition) at the 35th Brussels International Filmfest in Belgium from November 4 to 9. Direk Maryo and Yul will be going there to represent the movie.

ECONOMIC CRISIS TACKLED

WE'RE sure we all feel the economic crunch what with the prices of everything going up. Tonight on ANC (ABS News Channel), 7 to 8 p. m. , Ricky Carandang and Luchi Cruz Valdes will bring together the country's best experts to tackle the economic crisis in "Coping with the Crunch. " Latest surveys show that more and more Filipino families are experiencing "involuntary hunger," while a rising number of middle-class car owners now opt to take public transportation due to the unabated increase in oil prices. Why has it come to this? What can be done about it? ANC hopes to answer these questions in "Coping with the Crunch. " In partnership with the University of the Philippines School of Economics and the Management Association of the Philippines, this special presentation will feature our most respected economists and business leaders, government's top economic managers, and representatives from various sectors of society. Don't miss it tonight.

40,000 AUDITIONED FOR 'SP'

MORE than 40,000 people nationwide auditioned to be part of GMA7's new reality show, "Survivor Philippines" or SP, the first Philippine edition of the worldwide hit reality series.

There was neck-to-neck fight among the castaway hopefuls, with some applicants sleeping in audition halls just to make sure they'll be ahead of the others. Some traveled far to get to audition areas in the provinces.

Veteran TV host Paolo Bediones, who will host this huge public affairs offering, said that SP looks for aggressive and assertive personalities who will capture the viewer's interest for the show. In one of the auditions, a 59-year-old man outshone his competitors for being a gym buff despite his age. His proportions are deemed fit for the challenges.

There was also a woman in her 40's, who was brave enough to still do cartwheels.

But what really makes an applicant a potential survivor? Program manager Neil Gumban said that they held several interviews, plus a series of psychological and physical exams to arrive at the shortlist. "We formed a screening committee to handpick the castaways. The final list was formed based on interviews and exams. We also took into consideration the group's personality mix," Gumban said.

The identities of the first castaways of Pinoy survivors will be revealed when SP finally hit the airwaves in September. How will the Pinoy castaways play the ultimate game of survival on national television? Find out in "Survivor Philippines", soon on GMA-7.

'MEET DAVE:' DISAPPOINTING

IN his 30-year career as a comedian, Eddie Murphy has played various roles like a talking donkey in "Shrek," a vet in "Dr. Dolittle," and multiple roles in "Nutty Professor" and "Norbit" where he wears a fat suit and does cross-dressing. Now, in "Meet Dave," he plays an alien spaceship called Dave who looks like a human being. Inside of him is a crew of very little people with a captain who's also played by him. In the film's opening sequence, this spaceship made to look like Eddie Murphy lands with his head on the island where the Statue of Liberty is located. They have a mission, to get back a mysterious looking stone that fell by accident into the aquarium of a child, Josh (Austyn Myers. )

As the spaceship walks around New York City, a single mom, Gina (Elizabeth Banks), who happens to be the mother of Josh, hits him as he crosses the street while on a green light. He is catapulted high up in the air but manages to survive the impact. Gina apologizes to him and insists on taking him her apartment. Gina tells him about the sad state of affairs of her own life and the crew members inside Dave cannot relate to her. In their planet, feelings are limited and they cannot make a sense of the wide range of human emotions to which Gina exposes them.

What the humans don't know is that the aliens came to Earth on a mission to save their home planet. This will requiring draining our seas and oceans of water. The members of the crew include the warfreak second in command called Number 2 (Ed Helms), the pretty Number 3 (Gabrielle Union) who has a crush on the captain, the security office (Pat Kilbane) and the Engineer (Judah Friedlander). Once the captain realizes that human beings are not really that bad, he starts having second thoughts about destroying Planet Earth to save theirs. Because of this, some crew members stage a mutiny, resulting in Dave blasting his way out a police precinct and blowing up a cruiser, alerting Homeland Security.

This movie flopped when released in the U. S. and it's easy to understand why. It just doesn't work. It's not at all comically or emotionally engaging. To begin with, Eddie Murphy as the space ship Dave with his glassy-eyed stare and stilted movement just isn't funny at all. If aliens are as droll as Dave, we'll prefer E. T. anytime. Even his exaggerated and awkward attempts to ape the behavior of humans is just plain boring. There are jokes that make fun of Google, Yahoo and Old Navy but they fall flat. In other words, there are just no real laughs you can expect from this disappointing movie.

Source: People's Journal