Gabby Concepcion is all the more a movie star because he doesn't act like one, writes Michelle Baltazar.
Gabbbbyyyyyyyy!!! We looooove youuuuuuu!
Nobody screamed like a crazed One Direction fan at the Western Union Press Launch in Sydney with Philippine movie star Gabby Concepcion yesterday afternoon.
That was partly because there were no teenagers in sight and the meet-and-greet wasn't a rock concert but the launch of a new finance product by Western Union, the money remittance giant that Gabby has an international endorsement deal with.
But pandering to a specific set of his longtime fans, the luncheon could have been organised with two very minor adjustments.
First, that each female guest get a big Hollywood kiss on the cheek from the heartthrob himself (not the forehead kiss!) and second, that everyone in the room receive a silver bracelet etched with those immortal words, "My Only Love".
Yes, for those who had their first school crush around the time of the Gabby Concepcion-Sharon Cuneta loveteam, and then promptly migrated overseas shortly thereafter, it is as if time stood still and that "Dear Heart", "P.S. I Love You" and "My Only Love" still make up the standout Filipino romantic trilogy of all time.
This is grossly unfair because Gabby's portfolio is way more than just those three (blockbustre) movies. As an award-winning actor, he's been on more films and TV shows than most, clocking up 80 movies over a 15-year period at one point in his career. Later, he also made a mark as a recording artist and, in the community, as a philanthropist.
While time has stopped for some, the real Gabby Concepcion has kept himself incredibly busy. Next month, he is on the big screen starring in a role opposite Cristine Reyes, one of the hottest actresses in the Philippines, in a film remake titled 'When Love is Gone'.
Beyond the jokes and quips he made at the press launch, and the high-wattage smile he gave during the photo-opp, what stood out the most was his stamina: he managed to keep his energy levels up and stay attentive despite arriving in Sydney only a few hours earlier.
He patiently agreed to every photo request (even multiple ones) and chat with fans who came in last-minute (like the Filipina doctor who worked just a few doors from the restaurant).
A media veteran, he generously fielded questions ranging from his career moves, his life in the US, his relationship with his daughter KC to his Hollywood influences and his views on the pork barrel scandal.
Journalists don't have to worry about ever getting monosyllabic answers from him. If the Wikipedia entry on him is right, then he didn't get his nickname 'Gab' or Gabby for nothing.
By 4pm, all the guests have left. The only people remaining were the restaurant staff and Gabby obliged with more happy snaps.
Today, he will be at a multicultural fair where he will be onstage then signing autographs and taking photos with fans. After that, it's back on a plane to continue with his globe-trotting and, next month, to promote his latest movie.
His hectic schedule would probably be too much for a lesser mortal. But this is Gabby we are talking about. He'll do all that and find time to tweet and instagram his fans, too. Now, about that bracelet.
Gabby Concepcion will be at the free community event today (October 6, Sunday), Blacktown Wow Multicultural Fair at the Green Village Park (Flushcombe Road, Blacktown) from 12pm till 2pm, courtesy of corporate sponsor Western Union. Doors open 10am.
You can find Gabby on Twitter (@gabsconcepcion), Instagram (concepciongabby) and Facebook (Gabriel 'Gabby' Concepcion)