Daddy, darling
Who would’ve thought character actor Gabby Eigenmann is such a softie to his kids?
Putting family first above everything else was instilled in Gabby Eigenmann’s mind back when he was a child. Now with his own family, the actor models that principle.
He has four children namely William, Matthew, Gabbie, and Josh. Together with wife Apples, their bond is unbreakable. Despite his packed calendar, it’s imperative for Gabby to spend a day or two in a week with his loved ones.
The actor thinks he seesaws between over protective and lenient dad as needed.
“It’s like kapag nagkaroon sila ng problema, I tell them to figure out the solutions on their own but I make it to the point na nabigyan ko sila ng warning,” he explained.
Gabby describes himself “very malambing na tatay” far from the villain characters he plays on TV. He usually takes his children to school before going to work that’s why we teased him that he deserves an “Ulirang Ama” award.
“Talagang tutok ako. This because, I came from a broken family na walang mother and father na nagsasabi sa akin na like, ‘Goodnight,’ at ’yun ang ayaw kong iparanas sa mga anak ko. Technically parang spoiled ko na nga sila eh,” he said, smiling.
“I’m a very emotional father din like kapag may sipon lang (ang anak) ko, sumasama na talaga ang loob ko. Siyempre daddy ako eh, super concerned talaga ako.”
Not only does he make little things for his family meaningful, Gabby aims to nurture his children’s understanding about culture. According to him, their love for travel never fades.
He is glad to have a career that supports wanderlust in the family.
“It’s (traveling) my reward for my family. Kasi para saan pa na nagtatrabaho ako ’di ba? It’s really not for myself, sila ang investment ko. Gusto ko i-secure ang future nila at the same time mag-enjoy kami as a family,” he said.
Gabby expressed happiness on how their family concert “Sing Us Your Song Again: The Music & Legacy Of Eddie Mesa” turned out last Sept. 23.
It was successful and moving, he said, and sharing the stage with all the Eigenmanns was a dream come true for them.
“It was one rare moment,” Gabby said. “Actually, the concert was really off the bucket list, kasi ang gusto sana namin, (magkasama-sama) kami through film or a teleserye. But it happened and though hindi lang kami ganu’n ka-kumpleto kasi may mga relatives pa na nasa States,” he maintained, adding cousin Geoff Eigenmann was absent because his girlfriend gave birth.
The best part of the concert for Gabby was when they paid tribute to his late father, Mark Gil. He cried upon seeing his father’s photos flashing on screen.
“There was a song na hindi ko nakanta ng maayos kasi they were flashing picture of my dad. And kahit nu’ng rehearsal pa lang, talagang umiiyak kami,” he said.
He hopes the concert won’t be the last time the Eigenmanns would come together on stage.
Now on ‘ARH’
Gabby is the latest addition to the growing cast of “Alyas Robin Hood (ARH).”
In it, he plays the role of Doctor Nombre and whether the character would be a good or bad guy, he still can’t predict.
The actor doesn’t mind being the “just an additional” in the middle of the show. He also has no problem doing mostly supporting roles.
“Anyone would want to have a fresh start like sa simula (pa lang ng show) nandu’n ka na agad. But the year is ending and it’s another opportunity sa akin lalo na kakatapos lang ng ‘My Love From The Star,’ tapos binigyan na naman ako ng trabaho,” he explained. “Trabaho ’yan eh and I’m happy because naisip nilang gawan ako ng role dito sa show.”
Some members of the media teased Gabby that he is some sort of a “lucky charm,” given that most of the shows he is cast in are extended.
The actor demurred believing the success of a show comes with team effort.
“Ako I’m just doing my job. Hindi ako magbubuhat ng sarili kong bangko but na-experience ko na sa dati kong show na… of course iba talaga ang feelings ng manalo ka sa ratings. But at the end of the day, it’s a healthy competition naman,” he said.
If anything, Gabby wishes to play lead role anew in the future. His last one was on the 2014 family drama series “Dading.”
“Along the way, I’m not getting any younger so minsan naiisip ko, may susunod pa kayang ganu’n (na trabaho)? Kasi nakaka-miss din and at least I did something na tumatak sa tao na hanggang ngayon, akala pa rin nila bakla ako,” was how he put it.
Working buddies
Being part of “ARH” is special to Gabby as he gets the chance to bond with good friend Dingdong Dantes, who plays the lead character named Pepe.
“Swabe,” he said, when asked about how it feels working with Dingdong.
“Sobrang nakaka-miss ka-trabaho si Dingdong. Bukod sa isa siya sa mga matalik kong kaibigan, it’s always a joy to work with him kasi unang-una, ninong siya ng mga anak ko, ninong ako ni Zia, close family talaga eh,” he explained.
According to Gabby, he treats Dingdong like his own brother.
“Actually sinasabi ng daddy ko nu’ng nabubuhay siya na Dingdong will never be just a friend to me kaya nga anak-anakan din ni daddy ’yan eh,” he said. “That’s why I’m really happy and ‘How would I say no’ to this opportunity ’di ba? So I’m glad sa lahat ng nangyayari ngayon.” (With report from Bhenj Agustin)