Gabriel Valenciano may still feel something for ex-girlfriend Rachelle Ann Go but there was closure in the relationship, the dancer-musician revealed to Manila Bulletin in an interview on Thursday at Friday’s in Quezon City.

The Aliw Awardee for Best New Male Artist also revealed that Carmen Soo played an integral role convincing him to iron things out with Rachelle. Ironically, Carmen’s name came up as the alleged reason for the break-up. However, Gab told an entirely different story, one that’s closer to the truth.

“Carmen is like family since she’s close to Jericho who is like a brother. And if you ask me if I’m attracted to her? No. I’m not. She’s beautiful but she’s like a sister. I’m 21 and based from what I’ve read, she’s 31. My ceiling is six years siguro, puwede pa yun because my mom is six years ahead of my dad kaya yun ang maximum ko. In fact, it was Carmen who convinced me to talk things out with Rachelle,” he said.

Prior to Gab’s attempt to talk with Rachelle, a seemingly impenetrable wall stood between the two. “Things were said and the break-up has gone public. It was difficult for her as it was for me but I’ve always wanted to talk to her. So one day, I just woke up and said, ‘Enough already.’ I texted her, ‘Can we talk?’ and she replied right away so we talked.”

What Gab is thankful for was that he was able to keep the friendship. “I’m proud that we were able to save the friendship. I still text her,” he said adding that he’s not closing his doors. “Love is unexpected.”

When the media asked Gab’s mother Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano if Gab is already dating other girls, she said, “Eh si Rachelle pa rin naman eh!” To this, Gab smiled and said, “I just came from a break-up. I’m not ready [to go out on dates].”

SCHOOL PLANS ON HOLD

Gabriel has decided to cancel his plans of studying in the US. “The reason I’m in the music business is my dad and when he said that school will still be there but my youth wouldn’t be, I knew he was right so I’m staying for the meantime because the opportunities are here.”

The decision to stay seemed to be proving right for the young Valenciano. He just won an Aliw Award for Best New Male Artist (an award Gary Valenciano himself brought home 24 years ago) while his work for Gary’s “Shout For Joy” earned a nod from Awit Awards. He also arranged and produced “Naaalala Ka,” a cut off Jericho Rosales’ new CD called “Change.” But Gab is not about to stop. He recently scored an endorsement for Power Mac.

“Next year will be different for me. I will be concentrating more on music. I’ve been busy putting up my studio where I work and the first thing I want to have out next year is an album. I also want to do more collaboration with other artists. I’ve done arrangement for my dad and another with my best friend Jericho so what better way to start out in the field as that?” he shared of his plans.

Dancing will still be there for Gab but he stressed that he’s been dancing since he was three years old and that he believes he’s an audio person like his dad so it’s time to do some serious music.

One of Gab’s major endeavors is to produce a local dance movie in the league of “Step Up.” He said of this promising vision, “Wala pa kasing modern na dance movie talaga with a plot that is really centered on dancing. I hope a producer will be interested in doing it.”