What Garrie Concepcion learned from mom Grace Ibuna
Garrie Concepcion is learning a lot about life and love just by observing mom Grace Ibuna and her late stepdad, Rep. Iggy Arroyo up close.
“They’ve proven that age is nothing but a number,” Garrie relates at the opening of the Aesthetic Institute of the Philippines (AIP) in Eisenhower st., Greenhills.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are. When you meet the right person who can make you happy, forever na talaga yon. Nakita ko na my mom was genuinely happy and contented.”
Garrie, whose biological father is Gabby Concepcion, doesn’t take it against her mom that she had two dads when Iggy was still alive. In fact, she feels blessed.
Very supportive
Iggy, she reveals, was very supportive of her singing career. He was very proud of her after he heard her sing.
“Napakinggan niya ang kanta ko. At sabi niya, 'Halika, concert na.' Sabi ko, 'Grabe naman, wala pa namang launching (concert).'”
Garrie notes that her stepdad knew how to pamper them without spoiling them.
“Miss ko na ang pagkamalambing niya,” sighs Garrie. Kapag nakita niyang bad mood ako, napapatawa ako sa mga corny jokes niya.”
Now that Grace is being eyed as Iggy’s replacement in Congress, Garrie vows she is right behind her mom in whatever she decides.
“If she decides to run para ituloy ang naiwan (ni Iggy), siyempre I will help her.”
But Grace knows she can’t do it all the way since Garrie has her own career to think of. For instance, Garrie can’t join Grace in Bacolod “to fix certain things” since the Backroom artist has released her self-titled debut album and wants to try hosting.
Garrie knows her mom won’t mind.
“Nung nasa London nga kami, pinapauwi na ako ng mom ko. Ang feeling niya, siya ang reason why na-stall ang career ko.”
'I’m here for you'
But Garrie chose to stay by her mom’s side, especially in the most trying moments of her life.
“I told her, 'Ma, you’ve been there for me. So ako naman, I’m here for you. Saka may plano naman si God. I know there’s a right time for everything.'”
That plan, as far as Garrie is concerned, is following in her father and elder sister KC’s footsteps.
“Ate KC gives me pieces of advice,” shares Garrie. “Kapag kabado ako she tells me it’s okay, that I should just have fun. Three Sundays ago, we were on the same stage in ASAP. I told her, 'Ate, hindi ako sumasayaw.' And she told me to just pretend na 'wala lang, sumasayaw lang tayo. Nandito naman ako.”
