‘I never left it’: KC Concepcion explains long absence from showbiz
KC Concepcion didn’t expect 2023 to be her “year of comeback.”
MANILA, Philippines — KC stars as the female lead in Asian Persuasion, the feature-length film directorial debut of the Tony and Grammy award-winning Filipino-American producer-director Jhett Tolentino from the script of fellow Fil-Am Mike Ang. She joins a cast of Asian-Americans in Hollywood such as Dante Basco (Hook, Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender), Kevin Kreider (Bling Empire) and Paolo Montalban (Cinderella, Mortal Kombat: Conquest and Broadway’s Funny Girl).
“I never expected I’d be doing my first international film and first American film at that, and of course, I have Jhett to thank for browsing my Instagram… and for thinking of me for the role of Avery,” said KC in a “homecoming” presscon on Wednesday to talk about her movie, which will premiere at the SOHO International Film Festival in New York City on Sept. 16 and 17. It will have a Philippine theatrical run in November.
“I really believe in ‘di naman destiny, but you know there are certain things that are for us, whether in relationships or at work or projects, and I’ve waited long enough.”
KC’s last film was the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Boy Golden, for which she won acting awards. She said her last TV appearance was in 2016 to host the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. After that, she took a step back and went into the jewelry business.
“Then, sabi ko, babalik na ako, because my life is not complete without coming back on screen but for some reason, the year for me is 2023 to get back and I could not have chosen a better project than this movie. It’s also my first SAG (Screen Actors Guild in the US) film. I always hear stories of those who have done Hollywood films kung gaano kaganda yung treatment sa set, how different the experiences of the artists… and I was able to experience it, thanks to Jhett and the movie.”
In a separate interview with The STAR, KC admitted that she never also expected she’d go on an extended break from the local showbiz scene.
“Yung pag-lay low ko, I didn’t expect ganun ka tagal. Pero naging busy din ako with other things na pangarap ko rin gawin like trying my hand at business, entrepreneurship.
Of course, I also needed to evolve,” she said.
“As an artist, it’s natural that you’re always looking for new ventures, especially when you reach a level of, and I will always be grateful, success maybe, where you know you can do more things. So, it was really something I’ve been wanting to try to do. Something related but not necessarily showbiz work. Jewelry and glamour and movies and all of that have always been connected so I wanted to do that. I’m glad that I started
that,” she said of her successful fine jewelry brand, Avec Moi by Kristina.
When told that people in the industry thought she had “retired” from showbiz, she was quick to react, “I never left it. It’s just timing. It will never leave me and I hope it never leaves me.”
She hinted though that she did experience challenges and struggles while pursuing a showbiz career here because of the public scrutiny usually given to someone with her background — she being the daughter no less of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion.
“It can be very, very invasive and very, very, very hard personally,” she shared.
“Ang buong buhay ko reality show na. From the moment I was born nasa show na ako, star na ako ng show of my life talaga (laughs) so I don’t see it the same way as a lot of artists see it,” she also reflected.
“Kasi yung ibang artista pinili nila ito, mag-audition ako, gagalingan ko para makilala ako or dadami projects ko… For me, I didn’t really have a choice na ma-involve ang public sa life namin so siguro may times sa life ko na pilit kong gawing private… Kasi parang bigay mo naman sa akin this chance na ako muna, na hindi ako ma-pe-pressure na ‘wag kang magkakamali, you know.
“Na gusto kong i-allow ang sarili kong magkamali para matuto. And I think yun yun eh. And acting here, it’s not just the movie or the project, kasama lahat. Hindi rin siya madali for someone kapapanganak palang, may role na (laughs).”
So, even if she perhaps attempted to stay away from this field, one could say it still chose her. And how she views acting is that it’s her “way of making my mark na eto ako, eto naman ako.” It’s definitely not a hobby or a part-time thing for her.
She further stressed, “I’m so grateful because hilig ko talaga siya… bata palang ako, sinasama lang ako ng mommy ko sa ABS-CBN, titingin talaga akong ganun, gusto ko rin sumali, naiinggit ako sa friends na artista, yung mga Ang TV days. And thank you Lord, nabigyan ako ng place dito!”
Her place in showbiz came calling again in early 2021. While she was in Los Angeles to continue her professional studies in gemology, she got a surprise call from Jhett about Asian Persuasion.
The filmmaker initially sought the help of Sharon when he couldn’t reach her daughter. So, the project has her mom’s “blessing,” KC said.
“It was extremely fast, I didn’t even ask for a talent fee or anything. I just said, I’ll do it. It’s mine! It’s fun. I mean, I don’t know the outcome, but I hope that people enjoy it,” she added.
Filmed entirely in New York, the romantic comedy is about this down-on-his-luck chef, Mickey de los Santos (Dante), who cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife Avery Chua (KC). He creates a fake Internet dating profile for her in hopes of finding her a suitor and a new husband so as to avoid his substantial alimony obligations. With the help of his trusted wingman, Mickey gets off to a hot start until he realizes he wants a second chance with Avery, although he might be too late.
KC discussed the film’s major theme and why it attracted her: “It was just really exciting kasi ano siya eh, divorce, marami akong kakilala na-divorce or sa family ko ‘di ba? And I wanted to understand the lighter side. Hindi pala laging depressing ang ganung hiwalayan. May mga surprises ang life na parang matutuwa ka nalang na okay ah, pwede palang ganun, it doesn’t have to be so dark.”
She stayed in New York for six months with the actual shooting schedule being a month and a half. She didn’t particularly find the shoot challenging. It was exciting more than anything because she had the chance to work with co-actors with extensive experience in the US entertainment business.
“And they are so humble and so supportive that I felt kaya ko and okay, may place ako dito, part of the family ako, I belong. And I think that’s the biggest advice I can give din to aspiring actors or artists na taga dito sa atin (Philippines), alam mo yung homegrown Filipino entertainment industry. You have all the right to be on that stage or on that set because you’re an artist, too,” she said.
Being back in front of the cameras has reignited KC’s love for the craft and desire to be actively acting again. She hinted at thrilling things coming her way. “I would love to continue doing this kind of work again as an artista! Na-miss ko maging artista.”
What she appeared to have learned from this whole journey — from hiatus to comeback — was to not limit yourself “because you cannot control everything that happens to you just like yung pagdating ng mga opportunities sa akin na bigla akong napa-comeback na hindi ko inexpect.
“Ang galing! You know, one day, something will happen to you that’s nice, na wow, oh my god, matagal ko ng pinapangarap ‘to (like) totoo ba ‘tong nangyayari na sa akin? And this is just the start. It’s just the beginning of a new era for me. So, look forward to new eras of your life because they will happen whether you like them or not.”
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