After five years, former celebrity couple Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion will reunite for their upcoming concert dubbed "Dear Heart 2023" which will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Oct. 27.

Ahead of the much-awaited show, Gabby and Sharon crossed paths again for a few minutes during a media conference at Okada Manila in Paranaque City last Friday, Sept. 15.

As Sharon approached the stage, Gabby readied a beautiful bouquet to present to her. Gabby said: "Bago ang lahat, binili ko pa ito sa Quiapo eh." (Before everything, I even bought it in Quiapo.)

After receiving the flowers, Sharon told Gabby: "Thank you so much. Thank you to my producers."

Gabby informed Sharon: "Sabi ko sa kanila kanina, pagkatapos ko rito, alis ako, baka hindi tayo magkita. Puwede bang mag-hug bago ako umalis?" (I told them earlier, after this, I will leave. Maybe we won't see each other. Can we have a hug before I leave?)

The actor continued, cracking jokes: "Uulitin ko ang sinabi ko nun. Ladies and gentlemen, on stage, I give to you, Miss Sharon...Concepcion na nga ito eh...Sharon na lang. Okay maraming salamat po. We'll see you. Pa-kiss uli." Then her former husband said: "Okay, one more. Sa lips naman, sa lips. Biro lang. Biro lang po. One shot." After the quick photo opportunity, Gabby said: "Ingat po kayo." Then he left the stage. "Take care 'cause we care."

 The last time Gabby and Sharon saw each other was at the Gabay Guro event hosted by PLDT in 2018.

"Dear Heart" is the title of the 1981 blockbuster movie of Sharon and Gabby. They started dating while filming the movie. On Sept. 23, 1984, Sharon and Gabby got married. They have a daughter named Kristina Cassandra, popularly known as KC. In 1987, the couple separated. Their marriage was annulled in 1993.

Iconic pair

Sharon and Gabby fans will witness a historic moment as the iconic pair reunites for a concert. The magic doesn't end there. A special VIP Night will take place at Okada Manila's Grand Ballroom on Oct. 30.

For the fans in the South, "InLife's Dear Heart In Cebu City" is scheduled at the NuStar's Convention Center on Nov. 17.

"If everything goes well, we might take it abroad. If it does not go well, I will go on tour," Sharon said.

"I don't know him na eh. It's been so long. Siyempre yung kilala kong Gabby yung minahal ko noon. Hindi ko alam kung iba na siya. KKB na kami. Kanya-kanyang buhay.

"And I've been married 27 1/2 years happily. Ang advice ko dyan for a strong happy marriage hiwalay rin paminsan-minsan. Joke! Maayos na maayos ang pamilya namin. And that is also my wish for Gabby and his children."

Last Friday, Sharon and Gabby posed together for a quick photo opportunity. But when the Q&A portion with the press started, they didn't face the media together. It was Gabby who first addressed the media.

'Less talk, fewer mistakes'

Wearing a red suit, Gabby still looked like a matinee idol. He expressed his excitement for the upcoming reunion concert with his ex-wife.

"Wala na kaming issues pero may kanya-kanya na kaming buhay. Maganda ito. Baka nga hindi ito nangyari kung 10 years ago but things are different now. So okay na kami," he said.

(We don't have issues anymore but have our own lives. It's good. This may not have happened 10 years ago, but things are different now. So we're okay.)

Gabby, 58, is hoping that their daughter KC will also attend the show. "Sana pumunta si KC."

Asked how he was preparing for the concert, Gabby said: "May rehearsals kami pero hindi kaming dalawa ang magkasama. Sa rehearsals for duet, meron akong stand-in."  (We have rehearsals, but we're not together. In the rehearsals for the duet, I have a stand-in.)

Gabby, who will sing during the show, believes there would be 15 numbers. "Hindi po lahat yun sa akin,may ka-share ako roon. We'll do the best we can para masaya lang tayo."

Despite years of speculation, plans for the former couple to reunite in a movie never materialized. Producers suggest a concert instead of a movie for the two celebrities.

"Ang sabi nila, I'm not an expert, pero sabi nila mag-start muna sa mga ganitong concert or shows. We'll take it from there. Kasi mahina raw ang mga pelikula ngayon. So baka hindi magwork. Pero we'll see," he said.

(I'm not an expert but they say it would be better if we held concerts or live shows. We'll take it from there. Local movies are not popular these days. So it might not work. But we'll see.)

Gabby also commented about his throwback photos on social media.

"At least bumabalik yung mga nakaraan. Hinihintay ko nga yung mga baby pictures namin. Wala na kasi akong kopya. Lahat ng mga baby pictures ko hiniram ng ibang reporters pero hindi na binalik. Sana i-post nila para ma-screen shot ko naman."

(It brings back good memories. I'm waiting for our baby pictures to be posted. I don't have copies anymore. Other reporters borrowed all my baby pictures but never returned them. I hope they post them so I can get a screenshot.)

During the interview, Gabby also shared his opinions on controversies in the entertainment industry.

"Noong araw kung mapapansin ninyo tahimik lang ako. Kinakapa ko pa. Less talk, fewer mistakes. Puro facial features lang. Pero kasama talaga ang intriga sa showbiz. In fact mas maraming pang intriga ang sinusulat sa'yo kesa magagandang nangyayari. I guess it's all part of the industry," he said.

(In the past, if you noticed, I was quiet. Less talk, fewer mistakes. Only facial features. But there is intrigue in showbiz. There are more intrigues written about you than good things. It's all part of the industry.)

When asked to say something for his heart, Gabby obliged and said: "Dear heart, I'm glad it lasted this long. I kept friendships with a lot of people. Basta hashtag good vibes."

Gabby was jolly during the solo media conference with the entertainment press. When Gabby finished speaking, it was Sharon's turn to face questions from the media. Aside from the concert, tSharon discussed various challenges related to her family.

Sharon apologizes

Sharon admitted she was hurt when KC recently unfollowed her husband and stepsister on social media.

"Among my children, KC is the opposite of me. Ang lakas ng dugo ng tatay niya. And it hurts me na may nag-unfollow pero pamilya kami. This is a family matter," she said.

Sharon did not say the reason why KC unfollowed her stepfather and stepsister. She also apologized to Kiko and his family, who were recently dragged into the controversy when KC unfollowed them.

"So being alone was her (KC) choice. Our house and home have always included her. Kiko raised her since she was nine years old. So naging takbuhan niya yan, shock absorber n'ya yan. Kahit minsan may tampuhan kami si Kiko ang kausap niya.

"I want to apologize to Kiko and the Pangilinan clan, dahil sa pagka dawit sa pagka-unfollow. It's a family matter. And whatever it is, I will always support my daughter. I will always love her. And I would always be her mom, telling her if her actions were right or wrong until she was 80 and I'm still alive," the very slim actress-singer said.

(I want to apologize to Kiko and his family, who were dragged into the matter. It's a family matter. And whatever it is, I will always support my daughter. I will always love her. And I will always be her mom, telling her if her actions are right or wrong until she's 80 if I'm still alive.)

Sharon, 57, also said that she prays KC will be able to fix her problem.

"Basta anak, don't forget everything you learned from me, Mamita, and Tatay: accountability, word of honor, honesty, and loyalty. We are your family. Your daddy and your siblings love you. I hope whatever it is, you'll fix it as soon as possible. If you want respect, you have to be respectful. It's earned. If you want to be trusted, you need to earn it. If you want to be respected, you need to earn it. Your words should be stronger than your written contract. My word is my honor. That's what my father taught me. Family is everything, and you are not alone. You have two families who love you. I miss KC. I miss her so much," she also said.

A mother first

Sharon reflects on her relationship with her children.

"All my four children know, I am a mother first. Kasi based on experience, ang asawa pwedeng mawala. Pero ang dugo at laman mo, bumaligtad man ang mundo, dugo at laman mo yan. I don't play favorites. Some people think na ang favorite na anak ko si Frankie. Hindi. I love all my children equally. It's just that, doon na tayo sa totoo, kung sino siyempre yung lagi mong kasama, lagi mong katabi, meron ka lang mas nakakasundo. And among all my children, ang kaugali ko si Frankie. Miel is my buddy. Miguel is such a gentleman. Ang hindi ko nakikita si KC," said Sharon.

(All my four children know I am a mother first. Because, based on experience, the husband can be lost. But your blood and flesh, even if the world turns upside down, it's your blood and flesh. I don't play favorites. Some people think Frankie is my favorite child. No. I love all my children equally. It's just that, in reality, you are close to the one you always spend time with. And among all my children, my friend is Frankie. Miel is my buddy. Miguel is such a gentleman. What I don't see is KC.)

As she reminisced, Sharon remembered the years she spent raising KC.

"When she mentions that she's alone. I feel bad because it was her choice. When she left home at 18, hindi Filipina yung thinking niya eh. Parang hindi nga bagay yung anak ko rito kasi parang European di ba? Since she was 18, pinakita niya sa amin yung bibilin niyang condo. Hindi naman namin siya mapigilan because we want her to fly to want to live on her own. From the time I raised her, when Gabby and I raised her, when she was 2 and 1/2 until she was 18, ang katuwang n'ya nun ang mommy at daddy ko.

"Pero never akong humingi kahit piso sa mga magulang ko kasi I want to set an example to KC na ang babae hindi mo kailangan ang lalaki para mabuhay. You work for your own savings and so that meron kang pagkukunan in case hindi ka makapag-asawa sa kasawiang mangyari sa kanya yung nangyaring fate sa amin ni Gabby.

"So being alone was her choice. Our house and home have always included her. Kiko raised her since she was nine years old. So naging takbuhan niya yan, shock absorber n'ya yan. Kahit minsan may tampuhan kami si Kiko ang kausap niya.

"If I didn't have my parents, brother, and best friends, I probably would have turned out to be horrible and arrogant. Kasi may impression ako noong bata akala ko ang fame ang pinakamaganda sa lahat," Ate Shawie said.

Happy for KC and Gabby

Sharon also said she's happy now that KC and Gabby are close, adding that she never prevented them from seeing each other in the past years.

"She's close to her papa now, which makes me happy because they lost so many years together. But I want to remind the whole world that since Gabby and I separated, there was never, not once, never a time, na hindi niya puwedeng puntahan ang anak niya.

"I never prevented them from seeing each other. Marami na akong tiniis, marami akong puwedeng nagawa noon, pero hindi ko ginawa dahil kay KC. Lahat ng decision ko sa buhay noong araw, because of KC. She was my whole world. I'm happy they're together now. But I hope no one forgets all my sacrifices while raising her. When I was raising her, I made my work my therapy. That's why I'm a workaholic. So, I have to trust the way that I raised my daughter, she added.

"Since I'm a mother first, I love KC very much. I would die for her, Frankie, Miel, and Miguel if I had to. Silang apat lang ang papayag akong mamatay para sa kanila. While KC was growing up, sinabi ko na kung may darating mang problema, sana sa akin na lang kasi alam ko na ying strengths ko, capacity ko. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin niya. So ayokong masaktan ang mga anak ko.

"I'm happy they're close, but I love her very much from the bottom of my heart. Yung mga nagba-bash sa kanya na trolls na walang magawa or yung mga hindi nakaka-intindi, huwag kayong magdunong-dunungan kasi ang showbiz, trabaho namin. Hindi kami showbiz na pamilya. Pag-uwi we're very decent and private. Some things have to stay within the family. So you cannot expect me na siraan ko ang anak ko. I will never do that.

"Lahat ng tao na nagkakamali, basta ang apology sincere, you take the accountability for it, and this is for all my children, I will always forgive and embrace them with open arms. Minsan nakikita ko na lang siya (KC) sa Instagram. So nagkaroon talaga ng mga times na hindi siya nagko-communicate siguro ganun talaga pag bata, may sariling buhay. Na-mi-miss ko yun siyempre. Pare-pareho ang pagpapalaki ko sa mga anak ko," Sharon also said.