Gabay Guro brings Sharon & Gabby together again

MANILA, Philippines — Last Sunday’s Grand Gathering of the 12th Gabay Guro tribute for the Filipino teachers held at the Mall of Asia Arena became the historical venue of the much-awaited reunion of the “original” loveteam of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion. The two were last seen together on stage maybe more than 20 years ago.

Just when everyone least expected it, the former husband and wife indulged their thousands of fans in the full-packed Arena when they delivered their surprise duet of an old song very much associated with them — Lani Hall and Herb Albert’s Come What May. The song became an anthem for the loveteam during their first movie together, Dear Heart.

Sharon and Gabby called the duet their surprise gift for all the teachers present that night. Gabby said, “Maraming salamat po. Kayo po ang teachers na nagturo sa amin at nagturo kay KC kung ano siya ngayon. Maraming salamat sa inyo.”

The almost 20,000-strong teachers at the venue shrieked and screamed non-stop, including Gabay Guro volunteers and guests, while cries of pleasant disbelief echoed across the Arena seeing the two together. It was indeed the highlight of the 12th Gabay Guro grand gathering program, which is being held annually to honor the Filipino teachers. 

Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera

It will be recalled that after the media blitz created by the ex-couple’s McDonald’s commercial last year, reports of a falling out between them happened on account of Gabby’s alleged rejection of a reunion film for them. No one came out to set the record straight while their millions of fans were left wondering if there was still a possibility of their idols’ reunion ever happening.

At last year’s Gabay Guro grand gathering, everyone kept their hopes up to see the well-loved ’80s blockbuster duo together onstage but both opted to appear individually to pay their respective tribute to the teachers. But this year, their prayers were answered. We were told that Sharon and Gabby agreed to sing the unrehearsed duet only about a couple of hours before their stage appearance. 

The mutual decision was reached after a heart-to-heart talk between them transpired inside the dressing room, purposedly with no one else present. Gabby, the source revealed to us, was able to explain to Sharon the intricacies of his decision about the said movie and Sharon understood. They were able to thresh out the issues. At the end of the day, the source revealed, “both of them were mature and ready to make bygones be bygones. More than anything, they are family and they really both want to make things right.”

We were told that Gabby showed he was a true gentleman when he took the initiative to reach out to Sharon while the singer-actress was waiting at the dressing room. “After the talk,” our source said, “everyone was feeling light and happy. And that’s when they got teased about  singing a duet for the teachers. When Sharon mentioned Come What May, everyone gladly helped just to make this historic moment possible. They searched the song on Spotify, spoke with musical director Mel Villena and even Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez (also guest-performers that night) helped out.” The rest, they say, is history.

Moira dela Torre and husband Jason Marvin

Gabay Guro has clearly outdone itself once again this year in delivering meaningful tribute to the teachers. The roster of performers aside from Sharon and Gabby and their world-class acts were overwhelming. In order of their appearance, the performers were Luis Manzano (who did a Family Feud game with Bacoor Strikers and TNT basketball players), Idol Philippines’ Zephanie Dimaranan; dance crews VPeeps and Legit Status; Aegis; Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid; Jed Madela; K Brosas and Angeline Quinto; Piolo Pascual; Kyla; Virlani Choir; Moira dela Torre and husband Jason Marvin; Ian Veneracion; Jona; Klarisse de Guzman; Jaya; Jay-R; Jason Dy; Broadway Boys; Eat Bulaga’s Baclash, Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo; Christian Bautista and Erik Santos; Kuh Ledesma and Zsa Zsa Padilla; Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera; Dimples Romana; Ruby Rodriguez; event’s host Andrew Wolff; and pre-event host DJ Jaiho.

The two luckiest raffle winners that night were two teachers from Marikina and Las Piñas. Mary Jean Libot of Mother of Divine Providence School in Marikina City won the Foton van while Maricel Bustillo of the Las Piñas City National Senior High School CAA Campus won the house and lot.

Truly, it was a full day made for golden memories. Just like how PLDT Smart Foundation and its movers led by Chairman Chaye Cabal Revilla wanted it.