KC Concepcion in NYC for studies, not to hide rumored pregnancy

Living it up in NYC and loving it. PHOTOS BY ELTON LUGAY

NEW YORK, New York – Actress KC Concepcion is done being in the shadow of her famous parents.

She recently won two acting awards, making her an actress in the eyes of many and no longer just the love child of one-time heartthrob couple Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion.

“How many of us, children of actors, have achieved such honor?” KC wondered aloud during an interview with The FilAm. “The award is a big thing for me because it’s so hard for us having parents who are into showbiz as well. Oftentimes people would see us as no different from our

parents.”

Concepcion won Best Actress at the 30th Star Awards for Movies for her role as a stripper in “Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, The Arturo Porcuna Story;” and Best Drama Supporting Actress at the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television for the series “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.”

She learned about the Star Award from a friend’s text message showing a smiley face and three hearts. She couldn’t believe the news at first. It only sank in when her mother’s text message followed soon after.

“It’s an R-18 movie based on a true story, based on real people” she said of “Boy Golden.”

She accepted the role because of her faith in director Chito Rono, and it was a role that brought her out of her comfort zone.

“I’ve experienced firsthand certain roles that didn’t interest me at first yet gave me the chance to shine and get recognized.” “Boy Golden” was one of them.

KC is currently in New York — and will be in the city for a while — to study business and acting, and so was not able to receive her acting award.

Rumors flew fast that she was in New York to hide an unplanned pregnancy. She denied it, insisting she needed a long break from her highly demanding schedule.

“After doing ‘Boy Golden,’ I had pneumonia,” she said. “The doctors here said run-down yung katawan ko.”

KC said she had a back-to-back schedule, from hosting “The X Factor Philippines” to filming “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala” soap with Judy Santos and Sam Milby and then “Boy Golden.” Her work schedule overlapped, and before she knew it, her body just shut down.

“I just realized my body was screaming out for a bit of rest and probably it came to a point that I would really want to explore (the city),” she said. “I’ve always been the type to need rest cause it’s so difficult to do that in the Philippines. It’s a different world out there and everyone knows your whereabouts.”

She is so happy to be in New York and to be able to live on her own. “Here, I can read three books in one week. In the Philippines, I had no time to read and just used the time to sleep.”

“Paulo Avelino is not my boyfriend, yet.”

She has relatives in L.A., but her parents taught her to be independent and to not appear to be “too needy.”

“This is a good break kasi sa Philippines you needed a chaperone just to go to the bathroom.”

Actually, she will be shuttling between New York and Manila because of her many commitments. “I will be flying back and forth for work, been doing a lot of shoots for my endorsements and guestings because I still have many contracts that I need to fulfill.”

She is thankful to ABS-CBN and Viva for giving her a chance to pursue her studies.

An interview with KC – done over a period of two hours — is never complete without questions on love and relationship.

“Paulo Avelino is not my boyfriend yet,” she declared, setting the record straight. “I’m not committing to anyone right now. I have no commitments to anyone.”

After a tumultuous breakup with Piolo Pascual over a widely rumored gay past, KC is very cautious about becoming romantically involved.

“It’s not my priority right now. But it will be soon enough. Honest naman ako eh, the people involved know my state of mind right now and my limitations,” she said, intentionally sounding vague and elusive.

“I don’t wanna be hurt , it’s so tiring. I’m taking it slow. Talagang very slow. I’m very careful with my heart right now. I’m being good to myself, welcoming enough but also putting limits because I gave too much before,now it’s time to take care of me.”

She avoided talking about Piolo. “I’d rather keep that to myself,” she said.

For now, she is taking it easy and taking in as much as she can of New York.

“Apart from my classes, I enjoy the household chores. I do my laundry and spend some bonding time with my friends here like Ate Ritz Brinas.

“I’m lucky to have friends here who (no matter how busy they are) are always there to give me company when I want to go out.

“Sometimes, I play tourist, but I’ve always been a traveler rather than a tourist.

“Other times I go to nearby cities like Toronto and spend some time with friends over there. Throw a party in my balcony para mag-barbecue. Other times mag museum, manood ng concerts.

“But I like the fact that everything happens here in New York City, the center of everything.

“You can pay through apps here – you just point your smart phone. If you want to eat oysters, there’s an app for that too.”

KC is an avowed pescatarian and eats only fish and some seafood.

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