"Pasensya na Jolina kung nasaktan ka."
That is how the returning actor Gabby Concepcion expressed his apology to his supposed partner Jolina Magdangal in the movie I.T.A.L.Y., from which he backed out because he did not like the script.
In a taped interview with Showbiz Central aired yesterday, April 6, Gabby reiterated his reason for not doing the movie anymore despite a signed contract with GMA Films.
He explained, "Hindi ko naman intensiyon 'yon. Pero lahat ng mga kapwa ko artista, gusto ko sanang makasama sa show business. Pero nagkakataon talaga na ang script ay pinagkakasunduan din ng artista bago nila gawin.
"At nagkataon din na ako'y nawala ng 13 years at nang binasa ko yung script, hindi talaga nagtutugma sa gusto kong gawin. Hindi mo naman mapapatrabaho ang isang taga-pelikula kung ayaw nilang magtrabaho dahil [hindi] kumportable sa maraming bagay."
However, Gabby clarified that his decision to back out from doing I.T.A.L.Y. does not mean that he is closing his door on GMA Films.
The former matinee idol said, "Hindi ko naman tinatanggihan ang GMA [Films]. Ang pinag-uusapan kasi natin dito kasi ay yung project [the movie I.T.A.L.Y.].
OPEN COMMUNICATION. In a separate interview, GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar admitted that GMA Films is in constant communication with Gabby, who is willing to settle the issue. (Click here to read related article.)
She related, "Actually, nagkausap lang kami about an hour ago. Lines have been open. Okay naman yung pag-uusap namin ni Gabby. He really wants to iron things out. He really wants to find a solution to all of these kaya nga nag-set na kami ng date."
She mentioned what possibly led Gabby to discontinue his supposed comeback movie with GMA Films.
"I can't speak for him, but I think there was a difference in the opinion as to his role in the movie [I.T.A.L.Y.]. So I think, mayroon siyang mga hindi nagustuhan doon sa role niya or he thinks that the movie is not the right vehicle for him for his comeback," said Ms. Annette.
The GMA Films president described what they had planned for the movie. "First, this movie is very big. Ang taas ng budget nito. This will be shot across three continents, hindi lang ito sa Europe. Mayroon pa siyempre sa Asia, may Europe leg, mayroon pa sa Africa. It will be shot on board, one of the best luxury liners in the world."
JOLINA'S REACTION. Initially, Jolina could not express her true feelings about Gabby's decision. In her previous interviews, she gave nothing but vague description of what she really felt when she found out that the returning actor had backed out.
In fact, in one interview, she said, "Parang ayoko munang isipin, sa movie muna. ‘Pag inisip ko, baka magalit lang ako, e, ayoko ng negative." (Click here to read the article.) However, when Showbiz Central caught up with Jolina before she left for Europe last April 1, the young actress was in a light mood.
Still trying to stay away from the issue, Jolina told Showbiz Central, "Kung ano talaga yung rason niya dahil doon sa pag-backout or dahil doon sa usapan nila sa GMA Films, parang hindi ko na alam kung ano talaga, e, kasi mayroon din naman silang communication na sila lang. I think, it's between Gabby ang GMA Films."
