For all those wondering at the fact that handsome Gabby Concepcion is a recording artist backed-up by a major label, it should be amazing all the more to learn that it all rooted from a piece of advice taken from an even bigger icon of Philippine movies.

The late Fernando Poe Jr. once reminded Gabby that he needed to learn at least one song to prepare himself for situations where the only way out is to sing in front of people. Fortunately he took “Da King’s” advice by heart and started practicing the Rey Valera-classic “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako.” Thus, when one time he was kind of forced to sing in an occasion he was only scheduled to do an inspirational talk, he readily accepted the challenge.

The two solo albums he already unleashed as a comeback star would say he pulled it off that night, with the same song ending up on his first album recording. Big thanks of course to the action icon whom he almost starred with in a movie.

Gabby recalls, “Minsan nagpunta si FPJ sa bahay kasi dapat gagawa kami ng pelikula pero hindi natuloy. Sinabi niya sa akin na dapat daw may memorized akong kahit isang kanta lang. ‘Yung talagang magiging ‘national anthem’ ko daw. Nang sa gayon, kapag pinakanta ako, I can sing at least one song.”

That was enough for a start. Now he has more arsenal than anyone ever expected. His just-released album “Unforgettable” has 15 tracks filled-up of his versions of classic English songs.

After scoring a gold award for his self-titled debut CD, this big-band stuff follow-up from Warner Music features a more relaxed singing Gabby, especially with tracks like “Have I Told You Lately,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and carrier single “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” All these and more should make his steady fan base of largely women his age wail like teenagers again.

Other strong revival choices given enough justice by the ex-husband of megastar Sharon Cuneta are “How Did You Know,” the opening song “Moonriver,” which already has a music video, and bonus track “It’s Over Now.” Gabby himself generally picked the album’s selection which mostly reminded him of his late father. “I consider this album very special as most of the songs here are my dad’s favorite,” he pours in the album sleeve.

Gabby added that his singing got its surprising break a couple of years back when his so-called “Magnificent 6 of Warner Music Philippines” (namely, Jim Baluyut, Neil Gregorio, Anne Poblador, Flerry De Leon, Raymund Labrador, and Lachmi Baviera) visited him at a shoot set and invited him to join their label. Once more, the original heartthrob had to thank the King of Philippine Movies for his worth-noting tip that transformed into gold.