Gabby: I never knew Piolo's true intentions

MANILA, Philippines - Gabby Concepcion is hurting as a father.

Gabby was visibly trying to rein in his words and feelings when he was interviewed after the grand presscon of Regal Films’ Metro Manila Film Festival entry Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, wherein he purposely arrived when it was already done.

He said he initially had no intention of showing up as he wanted to avoid the press who would naturally seek his opinion on the controversial breakup of his daughter KC Concepcion with Piolo Pascual. He, nevertheless, came out of courtesy and respect to Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde.

And a father can only do so much in keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself when a child is already involved.

“Ayoko na sana magsalita na about this, but if I keep quiet about it, I don’t want to hear all these things na si Gabby walang pakialam sa anak,” he said. “Eventually, I have to speak up because as a father, I’m hurting. Nagkataon lang na nasa showbiz siya, but this is the first time that my daughter has had a relationship in my presence, and she told me about it.”

KC made a tearful confirmation on The Buzz last Nov. 27 about the breakup after weeks of media speculation. She unleashed meaningful answers, without detailing the reason.

Gabby said, “’Yung nakaraan niya wala ako ’dun. I didn’t see her (past relationships), I didn’t know how (they) ended. But with this one, she was very emotional and I understand why she’s very emotional about it. Ganun talaga ka in-love.”

Is he angry? “I’m angry at the situation. Why do people do things like this?”

He also didn’t hide his disappointment at Piolo’s supposed failure to express his true intentions for KC in their past encounters.  

“I’m talking as a father because kung ako, for example, kaharap ko na yung tatay ng nililigawan ko, I would have come up to that guy (and say) ‘Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to let you know what my true intentions for your daughter, and that I’m all out for her.’ ‘Yun lang or something like that.”

He continued, “That’s why naiinis ako because there (were) many incidences that happened, na para bang I don’t know what the intention is... even before, not once did that ever happen, and I was in that circle, you know what I mean? And I felt a little belittled. Now, this thing blows out of proportions, how do you expect me to feel?”

He didn’t want to meddle in the relationships of his 26-year-old daughter, but “I’m just venting out my feelings as a father. And it can happen to anybody. I’m just saying that children who are in the (same) position as my daughter, should at least, make sure that their boyfriends or people courting them, pag-nagharapan na sa mga magulang nila, points yun na sabihin mo na sa tatay kung anong intention mo.”

He acknowledged that he is not perfect when it came to his personal life. But he said he wasn’t short on expressing his real intentions with the family of his previous relationships, including that of KC’s mom, Sharon Cuneta.

Gabby, who’s now married to Genevieve Gonzalez, said that even if he was scared of Sharon’s father, the former Pasay City Mayor Pablo Cuneta, he talked to him, same with the parents of Grace Ibuna and the mother of Jenny Syquia.   

“The intention was there. Of course, I’m not perfect, and I apologized for my mistakes. There’s not one day in my life that passes that I’m not sorry for the mistakes that I’ve done. Because (what happened to KC) is so fresh, I’m only recalling what happened in the past. I really care about my daughter and who she will end up with.”

“As long as my daughter is happy, I’m happy,” he added.

Gabby didn’t share his advice for KC, only confirming that they did talk. He also didn’t answer the question as to how his daughter is coping in the wake of her revelations.

But apparently, the recovery from heartbreak has already begun for KC. One of her recent posts on her Twitter account said: “To my dear tweeps, friends and family – your thoughtfulness takes me a step closer to healing each day.”