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Linggo, Marso 6, 2011

GABBY CONCEPCION


Gabriel Arellano Concepcion, known as Gabby Concepcion 

Actor, Singer, Model, Director, and Businessman 

Gabby was born on November 5, 1963 in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines. His parents are the late Rolando “Rollie” Concepcion (Filipino of Spanish descent) and Lourdes Arellano. He is the great grandson of the late Juan Arellano, a prominent architect (National Artist for Architecture recipient) who built many landmarks in Manila like the Metropolitan Theater and the Post Office building and whose clan introduced the first Montessori School in Manila. He attended the Ateneo in grade school and high school and spent part of his high school years in Aquinas. 

Gabby first appeared in a Close-up commercial in 1980 and became famous as the “Close-up boy”. He was discovered by a talent scout who visited his high school and was introduced into showbiz at the age of fifteen. Gabby recalls when he and the other guys were asked to go in the office to meet the talent scout. He looked at him from head to toe and said the unforgettable word, “pwede”. 

He became a “Regal baby” (Regal Films) and made his first movie, “Katorse”, that catapulted him to Matinee idol status. From 1980 – 1995, Gabby made 80 films with Regal, Viva, and GC (his own production company) and had several modeling and endorsement deals during the same time period. He received several Showbiz awards, including Best actor (Urian), Best supporting actor (Urian, Star, and Famas), Mr. RP movies, and more. 

Gabby was married to megastar, Sharon Cuneta, his “reel love” in phenomenal movies like, “Dear Heart” and “P.S. I Love You”, from 1984-1987. They have a daughter named, KC (Kristina Cassandra), who is now a popular actress, singer, and model also. He has two other daughters named, Gabrielle, with Grace Ibuna, and Chloe, from his marriage to Jenny Syquia in the early 1990’s. 

Gabby bid farewell to showbiz and moved to the United States in March, 1995. He felt he had his time in show business and needed a break from the life in a fish bowl and all the hurtful things that came with the territory. 

Gabby was terribly missed by his fans and the people he helped along the way. Very few people knew he did medical missions because he did not publicize it. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, he invited doctors every December to treat the sick people in the whole peninsula who could not afford health care and repaid them by letting them stay in his beach resort in Anilao, Batangas. According to him, Showbiz was never his passion. But, he’s grateful because it gave him the opportunity to do bigger things. After high school, he really wanted to become a dentist. However, that was during the peak of his career and when he showed up in school to register, his fans swarmed all over him and he knew it wasn’t going to work out. He did not want to be a distraction. His second choice was to become a pilot and sadly that did not work out, either, because he is color blind. He only found out when he took the medical exam at Air Link in Manila. 

Gabby was living a happy and peaceful life in the US. For the first few years, he did a lot of sightseeing and visited with friends and family from coast to coast. He really distanced himself from showbiz. He avoided any contact with the media who hounded him and turned down all offers to make appearances for years. 

In the US, Gabby reinvented himself. For starters, he went by his birth name, Gabriel. He already has an advertising degree from Maryknoll (now Mirriam College) in the Philippines, but, decided to go back to college in the US. He graduated from Lincoln University in Oakdale, California with a double major in Management Information Systems and International Business Administration. He was able to cram a 4-year course into 2 years, because of the college credits he had from Maryknoll, and made it on the Dean’s list. He landed a job as a Purchasing agent with Fisher Industries, a division of GAP, after college. He then joined Prudential California Realty in Stockton, CA in 2003. He finally got the chance to do something he really enjoys. When he was young, he enjoyed selling to his schoolmates and was really good at it. 

Gabby achieved professional status as a Licensed Real Estate Broker after he passed an extensive set of DRE exams. The Department of Real Estate (DRE) of the state of California issued the license in March 2007. He specialized in residential real estate and excelled in Buyer brokerage and Seller representation for referrals and relocations. He became a very successful, multi-awarded real estate broker that can only be achieved through hard work, dedication, and determination coupled with his charming personality and good looks. His fluency in English, Tagalog, and Spanish was also a plus. He received the Chairman’s Circle Gold, Leading Edge Society, Honor/Honour Society, Diamond Club award and the Newcomer of the Year award for 2004. Also achieved his eCertification designation and is Relocation Certificated. 

In 2004, he got married to his long-time girlfriend, Genevieve Gonzalez in California. They have a daughter named, Samantha Alexis, who was born in 2008. 

He moved back to the Philippines in March, 2008 to be with his Dad who had been diagnosed with a terminal heart disease. Gabby was devastated from the loss of his Dad later that year. They were very close and he was a big influence in his life. 

Gabby made a surprise comeback in Showbiz after being away for 13 years. His comeback was wildly and warmly received by his loyal fans and everyone in the business. He was met with excited and cheering crowds everywhere he went, reminiscent of the Gabbymania in the 1980’s. He signed a contract with ABS-CBN in April, 2008 and first appeared in an episode of a TV series, “Maalaala Mo Kaya”, and then starred in “Iisa Pa Lamang”. 

Gabby picked up where he left off. It was as if time stood still. He still has that boyish look and sweet close-up smile. He got TV and movie deals left and right, endorsement deals, and had one more surprise for his fans. He revealed his musical talent and amazed everyone with his singing voice. He released his debut CD in November, 2008 entitled, “Gabby Concepcion” under the Warner Music Philippines label. Gabby has a love for music and performed in smaller venues while he was living in the US. He appeared in a number of musical shows on TV and in different venues for Pagcor Entertainment in the Philippines. He has several shows lined up in the Philippines and the US. He has a movie due to come out in the end of the year, entitled, “I Love You, Goodbye.” He is also starring in a TV series called, “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” that is due to come out in 2009 also. He currently models for I/M Clotheswear and has made appearances in malls all over the country to promote his line. 

Gabby has other business ventures, such as, investments in real estate. He owns properties in the US and the Philippines. 

In his spare time, he enjoys scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, or just being on the beach getting some fresh air and listening to the sound of the waves and the birds. His other sports are squash, racquetball, and golf. 

Gabby excels in everything he does and thanks God for it. He is intelligent, gorgeous, charismatic, and funny, too, believe it or not. He is a genuine person and his character shines through.


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