Gabby Concepcion on aging: ‘I’m conscious about my eyebags and wrinkles and how my body has changed but that doesn’t mean I’m complaining.’

He is considered as a man’s man by many Filipinos mainly for being the ultimate matinee idol for so long. In the 1997 Metropop winning song, “Mabuti Pa Sila,” his good looks was even paid homage albeit tongue-in-cheek: “Bakit si Gabby Concepcion lagi na lang kinakasal?”

But there’s more to Gabby than meets the eye—especially now that he has reached his 40’s. At the recent media huddle tendered by Warner Music Philippines for his latest album, “Unforgettable,” the man told Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online some random things that belie the wonderment of a child that’s still alive inside him.

On food

“Do you know that I don’t use microwave even to reheat food? I read kasi about this experiment in which they watered plants using water heated up by microwave. The plant died within a week. Now you have to think, what can that water do to your body?

“I also don’t eat dinuguan if the meat doesn’t come from a reputable meat shop. Maselan kasi ako sa ingredients at sa manner ng pagluluto. Kung hindi ako sigurado na malinis o fresh ang gamit, I’d have to say, ‘No, thanks.’”

On aging

“I have accepted a long time ago that I can’t do the same roles I’ve had in the ‘80s. Everyone grows old, including myself—and that’s okay! I’m conscious about my eyebags and wrinkles and how my body has changed but that doesn’t mean I’m complaining. I actually have every reason to be thankful if only for having my children.

“People are never staisfied. We always want to improve, to stay young and even look younger, if that’s possible. But now I have learned that we should take life one day at a time. If before I want everything to happen my way, now I’m more open to surprises.”

On singing

“I now know why a singer sounds different live. More than the technical apsect, it’s about feel. When a singer records his songs in the studio, he is on a different mindset; that is, to perfect this version because that is what many people will hear forever. ‘Pag live singing, mas umiiral ang feel ng singer at that moment at kung ano 'yong energy na nakukuha n’ya sa audience.

“Naaaliw din ako sa vibrato. Pwede mo palang babaan, lakasan. Lahat napag-aaralan. I just discovered mine [vibrato] and although some people may not like it, I do.”

On dreams

“I am often guided by my dreams. Last year, when things weren’t doing so well, I dreamed many times that I was flying then suddenly crashed. When things were on the upswing naman, I dreamed I was flying non-stop, able to go anywhere I want.

“I now realize that to achieve my dreams, I can’t afford to have walls. Ang dami nang nangyari sa buhay ko na alam ng lahat...ano pa ba ang itatago ko? My life now is a rebirth. Everything’s new. I believe everyone can start over if he really wants to do so.”

On being a singer

“Do people see me as a singer? Will they EVER see me as a singer? I hope so. Because long before I recorded albums, I had sung at every event I was invited to in the US. The Filipinos abroad kasi feel that a show or an appearance is not complete if the artist doesn’t sing. Ganun talaga.

“Of course, I’m not the best singer there is. But I feel na kapag maganda ang produkto mo, people will eventually take to it. It’s like in the movies: no matter if it stars unknowns, kapag maganda ang storyline, word will spread and more people will notice the merit of your work.”

(Gabby Concepcion’s “Unforgettable” is the follow-up to his self-titled debut album that was released and turned Gold in 2008. The new album contains the songs “Have I Told You Lately,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and carrier single “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”)