The outdoors, particularly the beach, would always remind actor Gabby Concepcion of his late father Rollie Concepcion.
In an exclusive interview with The Buzz aired last Sunday, October 5, the former matinee idol recalled a past outing in Nasugbu, Batangas. That out-of-town trip was one of his cherished memories of his dad, who died on September 23 at the Lourdes Hospital in Mandaluyong City.
"Meron kaming mga pictures sa bahay—black and white, sepia—pictures ‘yon sa beach sa Nasugbu [Batangas]. ‘Yon ang hindi ko makakalimutan, ‘pag nasa beach ako," said Gabby.
Even before Mr. Rollie Concepcion died, the whole family had been grieving over his ill-health due an enlarged heart. Yet they were unprepared for the end.
"You can never be ready for anybody's death," Gabby explained. "Ilang gabi na naming iniyakan ‘yon. Even before he died. Nung dumating ako, I knew hinihintay lang ‘yong oras niya. But we were hoping sana it wasn't soon, [na] sana we could have spent more years [with him] kasi ang sabi ng doktor about three years."
In a September 26 TV Patrol interview, Gabby tearfully shared: "I love him and I thank him. For the good memories, for being the backbone of our family. For being there for me, my mom and my family. I will pray for him every day."
Mr. Rollie Concepcion, 72, was brought to his final resting place at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City last September 27.
The death of his father came at a time when Gabby was in the midst of a serious management dispute with Rose Flaminiano.
Concerning his wife, Genevieve Yatco Gonzales, Gabby assured the public that they're doing fine despite the tragedy.
"Okey naman," he stressed, "we've been together for almost 10 years now."
Having tasted a normal life abroad, the popular actor couldn't help but compare the drastic turnaround of his domestic lifestyle now that he's back in show business.
"Iba talaga ‘pag hiwalay kayo e, malayo. Nandoon sa Amerika, malayo sa intriga mas nagiging stronger ang relationship."