Gabby Concepcion, whom Funfare will henceforth describe as "the actor in self-exile (in the USA)," should be declared the Balikbayan ng Taon not only of the year 1999 but of the three previous years because -- haven't you noticed? -- he's always being bruited about to be coming home, presumably to resume his rudely-interrupted showbiz career... finally this year?
Funfare sounded the bell (again!), sort of, a few issues ago in the traditional "halo-halong hula-hula 2000" by predicting that Gabby will make a successful comeback and, don't look now, perhaps rehire his Nanay-Nanayan Lolit Solis again as his manager. (Talk about not having permanent friends nor permanent enemies in showbiz but only permanent interests.)
Or maybe, Gabby might enlist the services of Alfie Lorenzo as manager, Alfie being a good friend of Alfred Yumol, a Filipino based in L.A. (Gabby is based in San Francisco), who has been giving Gabby moral support and other help besides when half of the world seems to have turned against Gabby.
There are reports that Gabby will come home soon to star in a drama series to be produced by ABS-CBN. Sadly, no such plan has really been hatched up -- yet. Or is Star Cinema finalizing a movie for Gabby and, brace yourselves, ex-wife Sharon Cuneta (who said in a previous interview that she wouldn't mind doing one with Gabby -- you know, trabaho lang at walang personalan)?
Sadly, too, according to Funfare's Star Cinema DPA, there's no such plan -- yet? Perhaps not now when Sharon is busy shooting her return team-up with Richard Gomez, an "adult" romance (untitled just yet) directed by Olivia Lamasan (who also megged Sharon's grand-slam-winning starrer Madrasta).
Another Funfare DPA said that, yeah, sure, Gabby will come home anytime but only if there's a definite project for him. Otherwise...
"He doesn't want to come home and stay idle for weeks while waiting for a project," added the Funfare DPA. "He wants to work as soon as he's back."
Funfare has been saying (and starting to sound like a broken record) that Gabby should come home by all means, instead of wasting away his talent in San Francisco. He still has room in local showbiz, a good place waiting for him under the intrigue-laden local-showbiz sun. He's a good actor and, despite the painful past, his talent will tide him through. Believe me.
Meanwhile, Gabby is happy where he is, studying (Management Information Systems) and is said to be a Dean's Lister. In a 30-minute radio phone interview with Annabelle Cueva in London (Online Pinoy Radio), Gabby described his present life as "walang intriga, walang tsismis, nagagawa ko kung ano ang gusto kong gawin na walang nakikialam."
Asked by Annabelle if he's interested in any movie offer from home, Gabby said his priority at the moment is his studies. "I value my education," he added. "Perhaps after graduation, I might consider some of the offers."
With that, maybe we should for the time being leave Gabby in peace where he is.
The (showbiz) fire next time?
Home recently for the holidays was Manoling Morato's favorite niece, Alicia Morato Cuenca, whose husband Salvador Berdejo (son of a part-owner of Pierre Cardin) died at age 36 last year of a heart attack in Spain where the Cuencas are residing.
Although now a mother of two (a nine-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy), Alicia still looks as ravishing as she was when she was a Pitoy Moreno model and one of Manila's Five Prettiest. Alicia could have handily won the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title (and represented the country in the Miss Universe Pageant) hadn't she backed out at the last minute (that is, after she won three special titles on pre-finals ceremonies -- Miss Photogenic, Miss Artists' Choice and Miss Friendship -- which was never announced in the papers because, well, Alicia quit).
According to Menchu (of Beny Baluyot's Beauty Salon), favorite hair- dresser and make-up artist of Alicia (since she was 17), "Manoling couldn't stop Alicia (who was only `forced' by Manoling to join the contest) from quitting, not even if Stella Marquez-Araneta was convincing her not to, because Alicia's agreement with Manoling was that if she wanted to quit, she could do so anytime."
During her homecoming, Alicia met old friends at a salu-salo hosted by Manoling, among them former Central Bank Governor and now NCAA Chairman Jaime Laya, former Sen. Eva Estrada-Kalaw, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, Mrs. Cecile Mitra, Gen. and Mrs. Thelmo Cunanan, and Commissioner Lina Fernandez-Litton.
Alicia has gone back to Valencia, Spain, where she owns and manages six boutiques and still does modelling every now and then.
"She's my favorite niece not because of her unusual beauty," said Manoling, "but because of her good character, happy disposition and fine manners. Alicia is compassionate, warm and friendly. She's always smiling."
A concert insider revealed that four popular artists are coming to serenade Manila come Valentine's. International performers Kenny Rankin, Rex Smith, Christopher Cross and Angela Bofill will give us the biggest and most romantic Valentine concert, Reminiscing 2, on Feb. 11 and 12 at the newly-renovated Araneta Coliseum.
Reminisce sweet old times and fall in love all over again, or simply enjoy a night of love music with your friends. Four great performers, two nights only. Get your tickets now so you don't miss this once-in-a-pale-moon event.