Boy Abunda
Tito Boy Abunda and I fondly call each other “Sistah.” I adore everything about him, especially his “bottomless creative juices.” The TV host’s latest project is “B.R.A.T.S.” (Boy R. Abunda Talk Series). Its second session will be on July 25, 7 p.m. at Seda Vertis North. Guest speakers Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Kylie Verzosa will talk about mental health.
“Brats” is an eight-minute onstage talk, in which a speaker shares empowering personal stories. In the age of social media, Tito Boy dares to revive the lost art of real conversation. The talk serves as a wake-up call for the wired generation. If you’re always online, you could be putting your relationships on the line.
Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Bravo, Tito Boy, for never running out of ways to make us sit up and listen with our hearts. That Abunda magic never fails.
Kylie Verzosa
Here’s my chat with Tito Boy:
What prompted you to launch “Brats”? I don’t want to regret not doing whatever it was that I could contribute to make this world a better place. Inspired by the many “talks” around the world, “Brats” was born in my heart. (TED is powerful. Talks at Google is informative. Ignite is provocative. The Gel conference is empowering. Big thing is educational and fun.)
We need to talk to each other in person. “Brats” encourages people to tell their stories and for others to listen.
What’s your take on the transgender (Angela Ponce) who won Miss Universe-Spain? Bravo! She has my admiration. She is, was and will always be a woman. Only she can identify herself.
What’s the funniest thing any of your guests did in “TWBA’s” (Tonight with Boy Abunda) online channel? Gerald Anderson doing the Boodle Dance, Yeng Constantino doing the makeup of our stylist Ica Villanueva, and Rufa Mae Quinto doing the bugtungan.
Who’s your dream interviewee? Still Barbara Walters. Some of the questions I would ask her are the following: How did you become the greatest interviewer despite your lisp? You are in front of my imaginary mirror, what would you want to tell yourself? Sex or chocolates?
What’s one question that you will refuse to answer and why? How old are you? Because it’s incriminating in a business that celebrates youth and the ageless.
What’s your take on “lady boys” and same-sex marriage? “Lady boys” is a pejorative label. Transgenders are human beings like everyone else. Marriage equality belongs to all men, women and the LGBTQIA people. If it was available to Nanay and Tatay, it should also be available to me, their gay son.
What makes your relationship with Bong (Quintana, his partner) work? Maybe, [it works because of] Bong. Surely, God!
What has fame taught you? That more people know you, but it has nothing to do with who you are. That it can build you your dream house and demolish it after. That it’s toxic, ephemeral and fun! That it’s crazy.
As your “5 on 45” segment in TWBA goes, what are five things people don’t know about you? I used to have long hair. I can’t live without toothpick, something that I got from Nanay. I joined singing contests when I was a young boy. My barber shaves my head twice a week. No one can touch anything on my worktable.