Awardee Gabby Concepcion recalls experience at Seoul Int’l Drama Awards
shared. REGINA MAE PARUNGAO
Gabby Concepcion reached another milestone in his career recently by winning the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2017 for his performance on the GMA series “Ika-6 Na Utos.” In an interview with
and select members of media, Gabby expressed his happiness, saying it is his first-ever international award.
feeling Bulletin Entertainment
“Ang sarap ng na pinapanuod pala tayo du’n. ’Di ba, na artista, isa ako sa mga nabigyan (nila) ng parangal,” “Ako nga lang din daw ang out of 250 he enthused. Filipino na nominate.”
Gabby said he almost had second thoughts flying to Korea as he realized there were no other Filipino actors with him.
“Ang sabi sa akin, ako na lang daw ang umalis at kailangan kong pumunta kasi nanalo pala ako.”
During the awarding ceremony, Gabby had the chance to hobnob with Korean star Park Bo-Young, who was named Best Actress.
“Magkatabi kami. Usap-usap lang ng konti. Buti na lang marunong din siya mag-English kahit konti,” he
While there, some directors and producers inquired about him and his availability to do projects in Korea.
“May mga nagtanong lang kung sinong nagha-handle sa akin. Ganu’n lang, wala pa naman sinasabi kung may o ano...” offer
Gabby restarted his showbiz career in 2008, following a 13-year, self-imposed hiatus.
He stayed in the US that time, believing his acting career was over.
to see my dad. I didn’t really intend to resume my career,” he noted. afterwards “Bumalik lang ako ng Pinas
“Pero inalok ako ng teleserye. Tapos nagsnowball na ang mga kaya ’yung ko, pinauwi ko na din dito.
’yung mga gamit ko, nakatengga lang sa family Actually projects
America.” Gabby considers his second wind a “bonus,” and as such he is willing to do anything to sustain it.
As if to prove this, Gabby shared he is set to do an indie film this year under award-winning director Maryo delos Reyes.
“Ika-6 Na Utos” is a consistent toprater and there are already talks for its extension to next year.
The actor admitted he didn’t expect the show would go this far.
“Very grateful Especially lang ako. kapag kinikilala ng mga tao, masaya ako. Sabi nga nila, ‘You are only as good as your last project’ kaya ako, talagang iniigihan ko dahil baka ito na ’yung huli ko (na
show),” he said. Gabby doesn’t mind the negative feedback the show gets from detractors.
“This is a world of entertainment. Siyempre merong hindi na-e-entertain, nag-re“Pero meron din namang mga tao na gusto ’yung sampalan at bugbugan, ’yung ng react,” he said. action show.”
Gabby acknowledges “Ika-6 Na Utos” enabled him to experience a lot of firsts in his decades-long acting career.
On the series, Gabby plays a pilot who is having an affair with Ryza Cenon’s character while married to Sunshine Dizon.
He quickly dismissed the notion he experienced the same thing in real life. “Wala akong pinagsabay. Tinatapos ko muna ’yung isa bago ako GABBY CONCEPCION with his award magkaroon ulit ng bago,” lang, ‘No’ for now fans he said.
In the same interview, Gabby was asked about his shelved movie project with ex-wife Sharon Cuneta.
It was back in December when the two were reported to be reuniting onscreen.
According to the actor, he turned down the offer, claiming “wala akong nakita storya, puro lang.” so I just felt synopsis He maintained he was hoping for something more. “Big reunion kasi ’to eh, kaya sana mas may Ang tagal ng inaantay ng ’to ’di ba?” impact. fans He also explained signing a fresh contract with GMA affected his decision. “Bagong pasok ako, na ayaw kong mawala iyong ng na kauumpisa lang namin tapos bigla akong gagawa sa iba,” momentum (GMA-7) Gabby said. But what about Dingdong Dantes (who was able to top-bill a Star Cinema-produced movies), we asked. Gabby said his situation is “different.” All that said, Gabby maintained he still wants to make a film with Sharon. “That’s how I feel, one time whether it’s the last movie we’ll ever gonna do, at least maski
mayroon kaming prinesenta. Ang tagal na kasi hinihingi ng ’to, ayoko rin silang biguin.” (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)