Gabby's dad dies of 'broken heart'

Six months after his much-awaited, long-delayed reunion with son Gabby Concepcion (who came home last March from the States after 13 years), Rollie Concepcion died of a massive heart attack Tuesday night. He was 72.

“He died of a broken heart,” said Nadia Montenegro, Gabby’s friend, meaning literally and figuratively.

The tragedy has to happen while Gabby is enmeshed in a court case with his manager Rose Flaminiano who filed a P22-M “breach of contract” suit against Gabby. But Gabby said that there were “discrepancies” in the five-year contract. Flaminiano, who helped Gabby come home, accused him of “walang utang na loob” (ingrate) even if showbiz-watchers claimed that Flaminiano “moved heaven and earth” to bring back Gabby because she knew that he’s a “gold mine.”

In an interview with Funfare yesterday, Gabby said that his father was gravely affected by the controversy.

“To divert his mind, I even asked him to take a vacation in Palawan,” said Gabby. “I found out that Rose had been calling up my dad and I pleaded with her to leave my dad alone and not to get him involved. I told her that we could sort out the problem between the two of us, without her bothering my dad. Pero hindi niya ako pinagbigyan. I told her, ‘Hindi ko ito malilimutan if something bad happened to my dad’.”

According to Gabby, his dad, who had been on medication for a heart ailment and confined to a motorized wheelchair, and a business partner, identified as “Mang Rolly,” were on their way to Makati from the Concepcion home in San Juan City when it happened.

“My dad was driving. It was around 8:20 p.m. They stopped at a traffic light along Shaw Boulevard (in Mandaluyong City) and that’s when my dad had chest pains. He reached for his medicine kit but it was too late. Mang Rolly doesn’t drive. Luckily, a good Samaritan came to their rescue and drove them to the nearby Lourdes Hospital. He was declared DOA (Dead on Arrival).”

Gabby was in a Makati meeting with his lawyer when it happened.

Rollie’s remains lie at the chapel of the family-run O.B. Montessori de San Juan, Montessori Lane corner P. Guevarra St., San Juan City. Interment date will be set by Gabby’s mom, Baby Arellano, who is arriving from the States today with Gabby’s sister Rina and brother Jojo. Gabby’s brother Dinky is arriving tomorrow, also from the States. The three other Concepcion siblings are based here.

Gabby said that his main purpose in coming home was to visit his father. In an interview with Funfare during the week of Gabby’s arrival, Rollie said that it was Gabby who was regularly buying his medicines in the States and sending them here.

Gabby is in the cast of the ABS-CBN soap Iisa Pa Lamang with, among others, Susan Roces.

“These past few days,” observed Dolor Guevarra, Susan’s manager, “Gabby was obviously ‘bothered’; parang he couldn’t concentrate on his acting and Susan tried to console him.”

* * *

During the past week, The STAR published two stories about the forthcoming concerts (take note: plural) of the Stylistics. I’m printing in full a statement from Viva Concerts & Events which is producing one of the shows, for the benefit of Stylistics fans (like me) with no further comment.

Here it is:

Viva Concert and Events is bringing back The Stylistics. The sweet soul group responsible for enduring hits like You Make Me Feel Brand New, Betcha By Golly Wow, You are Everything, Stop Look Listen to Your Heart, I’m Stone in Love with You and many others will be at the PICC on Dec. 30 and several cities in the South on Jan. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

A hitch though has developed in the touring plan of the famous foursome from the ‘70s. It is not big enough to keep them away from Manila. Still Viva and The Stylistics’ management Jack Bart/LAC Management, Inc., wish to clarify something that Stylistics fans should be aware of.

This refers to rumors that Russell Thompkins Jr., who was formerly with the group and some individuals in the country are falsely advertising Thompkins’ new group as the Stylistics. 

Steven E. Kurtz, Attorney at Law representing The Stylistics and its management, in a letter sent to Viva, sets the rumors straight:

“It has come to my attention that certain persons in the Philippines have falsely asserted that Russell Thompkins Jr. has the right to advertise himself or his group as The Stylistics. This is simply untrue. 

“Please be advised that not only does Mr. Thompkins not own the trademark to The Stylistics but most specifically pursuant to written agreement between my clients (the Stylistics parties) dated April 27, 2004 (relevant portion attached):

““Thompson warrants, acknowledges and agrees that — throughout the territory of the world, The Stylistics Parties have the sole and exclusive right to contract and advertise the name “The Stylistics” with respect to live performances. Thompkins further warrants, acknowledges and agrees that he shall not hold himself out, record or publicly appear pursuant to contract or subject to any authorized advertising utilizing the words “The Stylistics” except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.””

“Furthermore, Par.1a, Par.1b (ii) of the Agreement and Exhibit A expressly set forth the only words Mr. Thompkins may use to advertise. As you will see, Mr. Thompkins may not be advertised as “The Stylistics.”

Mr. Kurtz’ letter also categorically states that the only way that Mr. Thompkins may advertise his live performance, according to the written agreement, is as “Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics.”

So there. The true Stylistics is the group who will be at the PICC on Dec. 30 to sing all those beautiful ballads that Pinoys love to listen to again and again.

H H H

After a back-breaking tour as the new vocalist of Journey, Arnel Pineda is coming home for a month-long much-needed rest on Oct. 8.

Yes, it’s true: Arnel has lately been feeling not just exhausted but somewhat low, not being used to such a hectic schedule which served as his “initiation” into Journey.

“For several months now,” said Grace Foronda of MCA Music, Inc. which is releasing the new Journey album Revelation, “Arnel and the group have been hopping from one hotel to hotel, from plane to plane, and the tight schedule is taking a toll on him.”

During a recent phone interview with Funfare, I did notice that Arnel was not his usual jolly self, he sounded tired and sleepy.

Funfare learned that at every stop of the Journey’s tour, there would be a clamor for more, more, more!...and the guys had no choice but to give in.

While here, Arnel will not be idle. He will promote the Revelation album by his lonesome.

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