ACTOR Gabby Concepcion who has not shed his matinee idol looks to this day, is looking forward to his birthday on November 5, as he will mark it in the US.

In between the ‘Dear Heart’ concert tour with Sharon Cuneta, the erstwhile matinee idol is excited about his birthday as it will coincide with his concert tour

“Ever since I turned 32 last year, I don’t count anymore,” Gabby smiled. “Mahirap na. But for sure, my birthday this year will really be happy. I think this is one of my most exciting birthdays, since it will be in the US and we will go on tour.

“I’ve done a lot of concert tours in the past, but this one has a lot of shows in its schedule,” added Gabby. “We will be away for more than a month. We will have rehearsals here before we leave, but we will also have rehearsals there when we arrive.”

He is expecting to visit places he has not been to. “I hope I get to visit those places, especially those hole in the wall places and restaurants that I want to see,” Gabby said.

He knows there are a lot to consider for their eight-city concert tour in the US and Canada. “There are many involved,” Gabby explained. “Venues, producers, musicians, the artists. They all have their respective schedules.”

Many thought this Dear Heart concert tour will no longer push through. The schedule was set for February early this year. It’s tough to get a common schedule for everybody.

Some show dates in some venues leaked. The other shows were almost sold out already.

KC Concepcion, who was not originally in the line-up of the original Dear Heart concert at the Mall of Asia Arena but showed up, is not sure to perform in the US or Canada shows.

“Based on the schedule, KC is not there,” Gabby said. “But it will be nice if she can join us. I was talking to her last night. If ever she will not join the tour, I hope we see KC before we leave.”

Even now that he goes on tour, Gabby refuses to acknowledge he is a concert artist. “I cannot imagine it,” he insisted. “I’m just acting it out. I hope my singing voice translates my acting ability. I’m still not a major singer.”

Up to now that he has been in show business for more than four decades, Gabby still discovers a lot about himself.

“I never thought I would become an actor,” admitted Gabby. “It was all an accident when I entered showbiz. I really wanted to become a dentist or a pilot. At least, I got to play those roles on TV and films.”

Gabby started as a commercial model but he never thought he would reach performing solo onstage.

“I remember what my dad told me before,” Gabby recalled. “Nandyan ka na lang din, galingan mo na.”

He lamented that he is now color blind and enjoys his 20 percent PWD (Person With Disability) discount.

“There are grays that I still see,” he said. “I’m not color blind entirely. That’s why I need to wear a special glasses.”

The Dear Heart concert tour will fly in the musicians, led by musical director Louie Ocampo. The shows are mounted by NY Entourage Productions, with Nancy Yang as producer.

“Ang sarap makasama ng whole team again,” Gabby said. “We all look forward to the tour. I am not expecting that Sharon and I will go back to our old relationship, but at least we can talk better now about certain things we didn’t discuss before.”

Gabby is very pleased that Sharon and him are now talking again. After the MOA concert last year that even had a Cebu leg, they are now better in talking again.

“Alam mo ‘yung feeling na parang alon na sunod-sunod ang pasok ng waves? Gano’n ‘yung feeling. So many things are happening which we both never thought, would happen. Maganda ang feeling and I just hope it will never stop.

“I just hope the people in the US and Canada enjoy the shows. We are all in this together to reminisce and have fun. I want Sharon and I to enjoy this tour, as well as the fans and even the staff and our long-time supporters. We are all eager to see each other.”

This early, they have been getting inquiries if the concert tour will even go to Europe and Australia. Gabby even wants to include UAE (United Arab Emirates).

The US-Canada tour will start October 26 at Harrah’s Resort in Southern California, followed by a show on October 27 at Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, November 2 at The Meeting House in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

November 15 at The Venue, Thunder Valley, Casino Resort in Lincoln, Canada. November 17 at Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 21 at Club Regent Events Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba,

November 23 at Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu and November 29 at Chandos Pattison Auditorium at Surrey, British Columbia.