Gabby and Alice comfortable with each other
GABBY Concepcion is happy to be back on primetime in “First Lady”. Did he expect then that “First Yaya” will have a sequel?
“Not at all,” he says. “We all found the core story cute, about a president na na-involve sa isang member ng household niya, the yaya no less. Parang fairy tale. Wala pa akong naririnig na ganung klase ng relationship. But the viewers loved it, so heto, we have a Season 2.”
What does he think is the main reason why the show clicked with viewers? “The show really rated so high kasi may puso, may drama, may comedy, so marami talagang puedeng gawin na susubaybayan ng audience. And we have a good team that brought us to where we are right now. May sequel na kami and we’re very thankful for that.”
How is it working with Sanya Lopez now as his First Lady? “She definitely has a much more demanding role now kaysa noong she was just the yaya. Noon kasi, mas pa-cute, pakilig lang yung romance angle between us. But now, it’s no joke to be the president’s wife. Pero si Sanya is a fast learner kaya I’m sure kayang-kaya niya whatever the challenges of her role would be. Mas masaya itong ‘First Lady’ kasi mas dumami pa ang mga kumakalaban sa kanya at gusto nilang ipahiya siya sa harap ng publiko, pero malalampasan niya lahat ng masamang pagsubok nila sa kanya.”
In Season One, his main antagonist was Gardo Versoza. But now, it’s a woman, Alice Dixson? How does he feel about it?
“Masaya, kasi si Alice ako ang first leading man niya in her first movie, ‘Nagbabagang Luha’, after her reign sa Bb. Pilipinas. So we go a long way back and it’s nice to be working with her again. Ang maganda rito sa ‘First Lady’, may intriguing back story rin ‘yung characters namin.”
Alice plays Ingrid Domingo and she and Gabby had a relationship when they were still law students in America. Alice felt that Gabby jilted her when he decided to leave her in the States and return to Manila. On the part of Alice, how is it working with Gabby anew?
“It’s definitely a joy to work with Gabby kasi I’ve worked with him several times sa movies man or sa TV,” says Alice. “Aside from ‘Nagbabagang Luha’ in 1988, magkasama rin kami sa ‘Sinungaling Mong Puso’ with Vilma Santos, ‘Hot Summer’ with Aga Muhlach, ‘Felix Manalo’ with Dennis Trillo and ‘When the Love is Gone’ with Viva kasama si Cristine Reyes. So, sanay na talaga kami sa isa’t isa.”
It’s her first time to work with Sanya Lopez. How is it? “Yes, first time ko to work with Sanya and she’s a delight to work with. She’s such a lovely person on the set. Kunwari, sa umpisa, friend niya ako rito na kakampi niya against those who bully her. Hindi niya alam, may hidden agenda pala ako. I play a very good role, maganda ang back story niya, and I’m just so happy na napasama ako rito sa ‘First Lady’.”
