The much-anticipated appearance of Gabby and KC Concepcion in Sharon was publicly announced earlier today, June 3, at the press conference of Star Cinema's upcoming offering, I'll Be There, held at TYA bar and restaurant in Quezon City.
Even Gabby himself confessed not knowing what to expect come the actual day of their television guesting on the show hosted none other by the actor's ex-wife, Sharon Cuneta.
"Hindi ko nga alam, e," smiled Gabby to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the entertainment press when asked about his feelings on the impending reunion. "Sinu-surprise nga nila ako so we'll see. Ako, I like surprises... Lahat nga ito surprise sa akin, maski itong pelikula surprise sa akin. Hindi ko alam na mangyayari 'to."
Gabby is also unsure on whether Sharon plans to grace the film's premiere night, although he certainly welcomes the idea.
"All of that is going to be a surprise," said Gabby. "Masaya 'yon and walang problema dun. It would be nice, actually."
CLOSE TO REALITY? Although the project's storyline touches on the subject of father-daughter estrangement brought by a failed relationship, Gabby stressed that the film is by no means an autobiography.
But the award-winning actor also understands the amount of interest the film is generating on the strength alone of the drama that surrounded his off-cam relationship with KC in the past.
"Maraming makaka-relate siguro dito dahil alam ng tao ang buhay namin. I think may element na ganun kasi dahil matagal kaming hindi nagkita kaya 'yong mga sumusubaybay nun, curious din silang malaman kung ano'ng kalalabasan ng pelikula," explained Gabby.
Even director Maryo J. de los Reyes echoed the same sentiment: "I feel that there might be some scenes that really touched their true-to-life experiences. As what I've said in the VTR interview, I didn't really want to pry on their private lives but I just executed scenes that were within the script which I felt magti-trigger off para ma-develop 'yong kuwento. 'Yong emosyon siguro malinaw na totoo, pero 'yong sitwasyon, maaaring ma-modify para tumugma doon sa pangangailangan nung kuwento."
UNEXPECTED TURN. Working with KC in a film project was totally unforeseen, said Gabby.
"Kasi hindi ko talaga inisip dahil nung baby pa si KC nag-usap kami ni Sharon na hindi namin siya ilalagay sa harap ng kamera, pelikula, TV," said Gabby in hindsight.
He continued, "Nung nasa Amerika ako, nahiligan niyang mag-theater and of course pinagbigyan ni Shawie [Sharon's nickname] 'yong gusto niya. E, kahit naman anong gusto niya [KC], 'yon ang masusunod kahit pa sabihin namin na huwag. So 'yon, number one 'yon.
"Second, hindi ko naman alam na magtatagal ako dito sa Pilipinas. Akala ko sandali lang ako so another surprise 'yon, na nagkaroon ako ng kontrata sa Dos. Talagang surprise dahil hindi ko akalain na mangyayari 'yon. Pero ngayong magkasama kami sa isang pelikula, siyempre ang sarap ng feeling dahil 'yong oras na gusto mo bawiin, e, higit pa."
Both Gabby and KC are of course hoping to continue their newfound closeness even after the film's exhibition. Everyone deserves a second chance, they say, and Gabby wants nothing more than to make up for lost time.
"No regrets," replied Gabby. "May mga advantages and disadvantages ang lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay natin kasi namo-mold ang change because of that. Kung ano man 'yon, kung meron mang fallout ang relationship ninyo, merong reason 'yon. Now you have a chance to fix it. So lahat ng nangyayari, sabi nga nila for every action, there is a reaction. In most cases mas nagiging maganda pa pag nagkita kayo o pagka nagkaroon ng rebonding."