Gabby Concepcion Bagged Asian Star Prize in Seoul

By: Jovie Calma

 

Former ‘80s matinee idol and seasoned Filipino actor, Gabby Concepcion made the country proud as he bagged the Asian Star Prize in the 12th Seoul International Drama Awards. The prestigious and star-studded awards night that honored drama actors from multiple countries around the world was held on September 7th at the KBS Hall in South Ko rea. Gabby won the award for his outstanding performance in GMA Network’s top rating afternoon prime series “Ika-6 Na Utos”. The Kapuso actor is the only Filipino to win the award this year. Gabby Concepcion plays the role of Rome, the pilot who would eventually break the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Other lead stars also earned praises from the viewers for their powerful acting. including Kapuso actress Sunshine Dizon, who plays the role of Emma, Ryza Cenon, who shed off her teenybopper image when she gave life to the role of the villain Georgia.

The fight scenes and hard-hitting lines all the more made the series a mega-hit.

In his acceptance speech, Gabby expressed his gratitude to the award-giving body for the recognition and dedicated the award to all his fans and supporters. He also thanked GMA Network for trusting him the role of Rome, in “Ika-6 Na Utos”, “Kamsamnida [thank you]. This is the first time to receive this kind of award. “This is really someth ing special for me. I’d like to thank GMA-7. “Thank you very much, Atty. Gozon. It’s his birthday today, this is for you. “Ika- 6 Na Utos would not have been possible if not from the brilliant minds of our scriptwriters, actors, directors, staff, and crew. “I would like to dedicate this to my children and to the Filipinos who are here tonight, to my Korean friends who have been in the Philippines as well, and to our international friends who are always there to love and support us.” “I am deeply honored and overwhelmed to receive the prestigious Asian Star Prize. Thank you very much to Seoul International Drama Awards for this recognition. I also thank all my Filipino supporters as well as the Korean viewers for recognizing my talent. It is indeed a blessing and I will surely treasure this award,” Concepcion noted.

Gabby is the 2nd Pinoy who was recognized for the said award. Kapuso Actor Dennis Trillo won the award in 2016 for his role in the teleserye, “My Faithful Husband”. This year’s winners for International Drama Awards are: Grand Prize: This Is Us (United States), Top Excellence Award for Short Drama: Redemption Road (Germany), Excellence Award For Short Drama: Red Teacher (Korea), Top Excellence Award for Miniseries: Please, Love Me (Belgium), Excellence Award for Miniseries: Deep Water (Australia), Top Excellence Award for Long Drama: The Slave Mother (Brazil), Excellence Award for Long Drama: Brave and Beautiful (Turkey), Top Excellence Award for Comedy: Fleabag (United Kingdom), Best Director: Urs Egger (Switzerland, Gotthard), Best Writer: Rodica Doehnert (Austria, Das Sacher), Best Actor Award: Kerem Bursin (Turkey, Heart of the City), Best Actress Award: Aleksandra Nikiforova (Russia, Anna Detective).

Seoul International Drama Awards is an annual TV drama festival that celebrates the diversity and creativity of international scripted programming. Organized by Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee and Korean Broadcasters Association, Seoul International Drama Awards strives to achieve the following goals: continuous development of the Korean Wave, promotion of healthy participation in festivals and vitalization of tourism in Seoul.

Before I end my article this month, allow me to invite everyone to join us as we salute and recognize this year’s most deserving and distinguished awardees at the 23rd Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 14, 2017 to be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL. 60018. For reservation and more information, please call: 773-866-0811. My special birthday wishes to Tita Toni Angeles and Maricar Garcia (Sept. 4), Leah Pili (Sept. 5), Kuya Butch Zamora (Sept. 6), Eurice Calma (Sept. 13), Tita Kiss Garcia (Sept. 20), Jessielle Campo (Sept. 20), and Maricris Garcia (Sept. 27). Happy Wedding Anniversary to my sister, Ditche Jennifer and Kuya Butch Zamora (Sept. 5). To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! God Bless Us All!

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma’s throwback photo with the original Pinoy matinee idol, Gabby Concepcion in 2009, Wassup?! interview for CPRTV.

Gabby Concepcion bagged the Asian prize at 2017 Seoul International Drama Awards!

Gabby Concepcion and “Strong Woman Do Bong-soon” actress Park Bo Young