Gabby Concepcion, KC Concepcion, Jericho Rosales and Maryo J. de los Reyes.

"I’ll Be There,” the movie everyone has been avidly waiting for, is finally opening today, June 16, and in more than 100 theaters nationwide.

Another expected blockbuster from Star Cinema, “I’ll Be There” stars Gabby Concepcion and his daughter KC, a team-up that everybody thought would never happen.

Ever since Gabby came back two years ago, fans have been fervently hoping for him and his now equally famous daughter KC (and if possible with Gabby’s former wife and KC’s mom, megastar Sharon Cuneta too) to have a project together. Now, after two years, that fervent wish of fans have materialized via the movie “I’ll Be There.”

Directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, “I’ll Be There” is almost their true-to-life story as it tells of a father who left his daughter at an early age and be reunited after 10 years of separation. In Gabby and KC’s case, they saw each other again after 13 years. “I told myself that if I turn 21, I will go look for him,” KC said. Asked if there was something her father promised that he did not fulfill, KC said there was none.

“He just told me the last time I saw him that he was leaving but he did not say when he was coming back,” KC recalled. That was when she won as champion in a skating competition. “I didn’t know that he was going to the US and live there for a long time. But in fairness, he did not say when he was coming back.”

In an episode of her daily morning show “Simply KC,” father-and daughter reminisced their life together when KC was young and when they met in the US where they had great bonding time after many years of separation. But nothing could of course compare with the bonding they had while filming “I’ll Be There,” which truly gave them the chance to spend more time together, in an attempt to make up for lost time.

Certainly, Gabby missed out on many of the important milestones in KC’s growing up years. But now, they could just text each other.

Also starring Jericho Rosales as KC’s character’s love interest and confidante, “I’ll Be There” is about forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love.

Watch out for it when it opens today.

• • •

Artists for Artists: Visual casting coup

The entertainment industry’s best visual artists come together for “Artists as Artists,” the third exhibit of visual masterpieces made by celebrities.

The following stars will be sha-ring a different frame: Arnell Ignacio, Andrea Del Rosario, Baron Geisler, Carmi Martin, Celso Ad Castillo, Cesar Montano, Cris Villanueva, Criselda Volks, Ernie Garcia, Heber Bartolome, Jao Mapa, Joey de Leon, John Arcilla, Larry Leviste, Louie Ignacio, Maria Isabel Lopez, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Melissa Mendez, Mike Austria, Nadia Montenegro, Nina Ricci Alagao, Rachel Lobangco, Reb Belleza, Rosanna Roces, Ruby Rodriguez, Vangie Pascual, and Victor Wood.

According to “Working Girls” star Marial Isabel Lopez, this is one rare chance for the public to delve into the artistic consciousness of the celebrities in a very unique manner. “We’re all part of the entertainment business but this is one aspect in our lives that we hope to share,” she told the media at the recent pre-launch of the exhibit set today, June 16, 6 p.m. at Sining Kamalig Gallery in Gateway Mall’s 4th level in Araneta Center in Quezon City. Maribel is part of the organizing group behind the project along with the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Character Building Foundation, Inc.

For more details about the exhibit, log on to the event’s Facebook account called “the film artist group.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on June 16 go to Eva Estrada-Kalaw, Julie Benedicto, singer Keno, Jackie Maniquis, US-based Jackie Y. Regala, Nolie A. Pili, Rizza Tayag-Pili, Dr. Felipe A. Estrella, Jr., Jesse Cruz, Geraldine So-Gazo, Romel Sanchez, Jodell Stasic of Star Magic, Gerhard Acao, Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson, and Dean Ophelia A. Dimalanta. Happy wedding anniversary to Press Secretary Cris and Zenaida Icban.