It took decades before a  much-awaited concert reuniting  Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta became a reality. It finally came true last Friday (Oct. 27) when "Dear Heart, " the concert named after the pair's first movie, was mounted at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. It was filled to the rafters with fans from all over the Philippines and abroad who came to see and support their favorite legendary 80s love team.

(Note that Gabby and Sharon tied the knot in 1984, separated in 1987, and their marriage was annulled in 1994. Their last movie was "Tayong Dalawa" in 1992.)

"Dear Heart" showed that there's always room for a story of love, music, and family transcending time's boundaries. It also proved that the chemistry of Gabby and Sharon never lost its luster all these years. As a fan, it makes you ponder all the what-could-have-beens and the what-ifs between the two.

The concert was a great musical trip down memory lane as Sharon and Gabby sang well-loved duets like "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako," "Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko," "Maybe," "Tonight I Celebrate My Love," and "Come What May." If at all, it also showed that Sharon is still at the top of her elements as a singer, and Gabby's vocal prowess has improved.

KC on stage

But clearly, the highlight of the evening was when they called their only daughter, KC Concepcion, to join them on stage.

Sharon said of KC: " She wasn't just thrilled. She had a wish and a dream, and we would like to fulfill that dream for her and maybe have the three of us stand here together -  like the family we once were and always will be. Ladies and gentlemen, Maria Kristina Cassandra Cuneta Concepcion."

KC told the crowd that it was indeed her cherished dream to see both of her parents together on stage. " Yung past, past na yun eh. What matters is yung ngayon at ang bukas. Parehas ko kayong mahal na mahal na mahal!"

(Past is past. What matters is the present and future. I love you both so much.)

"You both are my dear heart," she added.

Sharon was in tears while singing the song "Ikaw." At this point, KC hugged her, and Gabby gave her a tissue.

KC, who came to the concert with her boyfriend, businessman Mike Wuethrich, did not forget to tell her celebrity parents how much she appreciated them. She said: "Sa lahat ng single moms na nandito ngayon or naging single mom dati, thank you for loving your children the way na minahal ako ng mommy ko and sa lahat ng mga fathers out there na talagang mahal na mahal ang mga anak nila...  Papa, thank you for being just like mom sa buhay ko noong lumaki na ako at tumanda ako."

(To all the single moms who are here now or have been single moms before, thank you for loving your children the way my mommy loved me and to all the fathers out there who unconditionally love their children... Dad, thank you for being just like mom in my life when I grew up and when  I got older.")

Sharon & Gabby's fond memories of each other

In a Question and Answer segment with their special guests, celebrity couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Alcasid, Sharon, and Gabby were asked what the best part about marriage was. They chorused that it was being a parent to young KC.

"We planned to have eight children," Sharon quipped.

Gabby said he treasured Sharon cooking for him chicken curry and arroz a la cubana "with two eggs on top."

Sharon stated that he remembers Gabby for being very affectionate: " Wala pa akong nakilalang lalaki na kasing lambing ko kundi siya. Kasi malambing ako. Wala akong kapantay sa lambing kundi sya."

(I have never met a man who's as loving as him. Because I'm also a loving person, he's my equal in being loving.)

She also said that their public secret code for saying "I Love You" to each other back then was "10/20."

The Megastar sang the hit songs "Sana'y Wala ng Wakas" and "Bituing Walang Ningning." She dedicated the songs to the late actress Cherie Gil, and both of them starred in the movies of the same title. Cherie, as Lavinia Arguelles in "Bituing Walang Ningning," was best remembered for telling Sharon (Dorina Pineda): " You're nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!"

With her guest performers Erik Santos and Jeremy, Sharon also sang "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Pangako Sa 'Yo," "Kahit Konting Pagtingin," "Maging Sino Ka Man." and "Pangarap na Bituin."

Gabby, meanwhile, had a Manila Sound segment where he sang the Hotdog hit "Manila" and "Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko," among others.

He told the audience: "I am more of an actor than a singer, so lahat ng kanta ko inaarte ko lang. So tell me if I'm doing a good job." It looks like practice makes perfect, as Gabby hits "Mula Sa Puso" high notes with flair.

"Dear Heart" the concert was produced by NSY shows with Paolo Valenciano as the director and Louie Ocampo as its musical director.  

Celebrities spotted watching the concert were Kapamilya actor Coco Martin with Julia Montes, Sen. Bong Revilla with his wife, Cong. Lani Mercado, John Estrada
with wife Priscilla Meirelles, Alden Richards. Lorna Tolentino, Cherry Pie Picache, Angel Aquino, Shaina Magdayao, and Miles Ocampo.

As announced by Sharon in her Instagram account, "Dear Heart" will have a VIP Night at Okada Manila on Oct.30 and go to Cebu, where another concert is scheduled at the NUStar Convention Center on Nov. 17.