They were once romantically linked and now they’re together again, Kris Aquino and Gabby Concepcion. But only because they are working together. They co-star in the new ABS-CBN teleserye, “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” (described as the teleseryeng lalabag sa batas ng pag-ibig) which started airing last Monday, Jan. 18.

Gabby’s comeback has been welcomed with much enthusiasm by fans and viewers and in the TV and movie projects he has appeared in, he proved he still has what it takes to be successful as an actor.

Gabby did performances in some episodes of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” ABS-CBN’s long-running and awarded drama anthology, and in two teleseryes namely “Iisa Pa Lamang” and the recently concluded “Dahil May Isang Ikaw.”

Last year, Gabby starred in Star Cinema’s official entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival “I Love You, Goodbye” which did impressively at the box-office and where he showcased his dramatic prowess along with Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay. Previous to this film, Gabby made a guest appearance in another Star Cinema flick, “Best Friends Forever” which was topbilled by his ex-wife Sharon Cuneta and Ai Ai delas Alas.

Before Gabby went to live for more than a decade in the US (after figuring in a legal battle with another ex-wife, Jenny Syquia), he starred in many movies starting with “Underage” (1980), followed by Boystown,” “Katorse,” “Story of Three Loves” with Albert Martinez, “Tayong Dalawa,” “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo,” “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin,” “Mancao,” “Loretta,” “Iukit Mo sa Bala,” “Sinungaling Mong Puso,” “Narito ang Puso Ko,” “Makiusap Ka sa Diyos,” and “Ika-11 Utos: Mahalin Mo Asawa Mo.”

Gabby received the FAMAS Best Supporting Actor award for “Sinungaling Mong Puso,” the Gawad URIAN award for Best Actor for “Narito ang Puso Ko,” and the Gaward URIAN Best Supporting Actor award for “Makiusap Ka sa Diyos.”

In “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” Gabby plays an NBI agent named Steve. Describing his role, the actor said “ang buhay ko ay laging nasa panganib. Frustrated ako sa pag-ibig, masasabi nating ako’y sawi sa pag-ibig but I will find another love. Makakarelasyon ko sina Celine (Kris Aquino) and Celina (Maricar Reyes.”

Asked how different is his role in this teleserye to his role in “Dahil May Isang Ikaw,” Gabby said that in the latter, “mas relaxed ang character ko, coat and tie lagi ang suot ko. Dito sa ‘Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,’ maraming takbuhan at medyo rugged lagi ang suot ko as Steve.”

He has done action movies in the past, having co-starred with big action stars like Rudy Fernandez, Phillip Salvador and Bong Revilla, but to prepare for his role in his new teleserye, Gabby said he trained in shooting ranges to familiarize himself in holding guns. He revealed that when he was in the US, the thought of joining the force crossed his mind.

“Dun kasi sa US, tanyag na trabaho ang pag-pupulis. It’s an honor to serve your country. But if I did that, I knew I’d be starting from scratch, mabuti sana kung bata pa ako. Ngayon, with this teleserye, tuloy ang training ko kasi I have to be physically fit sa mga action scenes ko. For sports, I play badminton and tennis.”

Kris’ role in KTM

In “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” Kris is Celine Crisanto, a perfectionist mother. She always wants her daughter Gwen (Kim Chiu) to be perfect that’s why Gwen hates her. It’s her first time to work with Kim and she’s all praise for the young actress’ professionalism.

Kim admits to having been intimidated by Kris in their first shooting day. Said Kris: “Kasi naman tinulaktulak niya ako, eh kulang ang tulak niya so inakting ko na lang. Bratinella ang role niya dito kaya sabi ko sa kanya, Kim next time, if you really have to push me, just push me. It’s ok kasi wala ka pa yatang 90 pounds. But I love her. Magkasundo talaga kami. Kasi, this is the cutest thing about the show: Kim, Albert Martinez and Baby James have the same birthday – April 19! Di ba ang cute?”

Dubbed as the “Queen of All Media,” and deservingly so because Kris has proven her mettle in acting and hosting, Kris has been hailed as the “Box-Office Queen” for horror movies “Feng Shui” and “Sukob.” As host, she has also received several awards from the PMPC since 1998. Her current shows are “Showbiz News Ngayon” and “The Buzz” and she’s slated to start taping for a new show, a reality show called “Pilipinas Got Talent.”

For this show, taping will be on Fridays and Saturdays so Kris is very happy because then “maisasama ko ang dalawang boys ko (Joshua and Baby James) sa set. Masuwerte nga ako dahil usually may laro si James (her husband) pag Friday…”

Kris said Baby James enjoys the limelight just like her when she was young. He recently made a memorable appearance in the Big Dome where he waved enthusiastically to fan carrying a banner with his picture.

“He can even moonwalk,” Kris said of Baby James. “Gusto ko nga kunan at ipadala kay Oprah or i-YouTube kasi kaya niya all the dance moves of Michael Jackson, pati yung crotch-grabbing. Obsessed talaga siya kay Michael. He watches and copies MJ’s moves. At ang favorite MJ song niya ngayon ay ‘Smooth Criminal.’ Sasabihin niya sa akin, Mama yun ok ok. So ang galing.”

Also starring Gina Pareño, Gerald Anderson, Coco Martin, Maxene Eigenmann, and Jaclyn Jose and directed by Erick Salud, Trina Dayrit and Dondon Santos, “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” airs daily after “May Bukas Pa.”

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Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko Christmas Caravan

Together with its long time partner Aga Muhlach, the Jollibee Foundation, the Jollibee Franchisees Association and Jolly Toy Scouts, Jollibee brought happiness and hope to the schools that have been damaged by the recent typhoons. Repairing classrooms, chairs and tables and creating ramps for wheel chair-bound students, the campaign meaningfully brought the spirit of the Christmas season. This is in addition to the toys and books, school supplies and even brand new workbooks given to students in selected grade levels.

“We at Jollibee are very grateful to all those who helped – our customers who donated toys and books and those who dropped donations in the Jollibee Foundation coin banks in our stores, the Jolly Toy Scouts partner schools and companies who donated brand new books, and all the volunteers who gave their time and effort to help make Christmas happen through the Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko,” remarked Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee Vice President for Marketing.

Jollibee and Muhlach were more than happy to have reached out to these students. “I’m really happy that we’re touching base with the students,” Muhlach said. “The caravan is really important because Jollibee is going out of its way to give hope and cheer to all these kids, and to teach them the value of giving and sharing and bring to them the true meaning of the season.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 20 go to actor/director Eric Quizon, Ric Puno Jr., Atty. Koko Pimentel, Tonypet Araneta, Roxanne Barcelo, Angelica Jones, Michelle Ann Arciaga, Orlando Bustos Jr., Jeremie N. Matias, Fabian de Leon, Melanie Rebucan, Isabel Pastor, Maria Theresa H. Ignacio, Joli Mae F. Ronquillo, and Juddha Paolo of Star Circle Batch 11. Happy wedding anniversary to Amb. Felimon and Anita Cuevas.