Boy reveals hardest, most intimidating interviewees

Boy Abunda

When Tito Boy Abunda talks, everybody is all ears.

The King of Talk will share his gift of gab through “The Boy Abunda Talk Workshop.” It will be on May 28, 29, 31, June 1 and 2, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mezzanine Multifunction Hall of Blupoint Building, 106 Kamuning Road, Quezon City. (For inquiries, e-mail [email protected].).

In the age of social media, Tito Boy dares to revive the lost art of real conversation. He will teach you how to get your message across through interaction, instead of the internet.

Learn everything you need to know about public speaking, hosting, interviewing and the Q&A from the master of “talk that matters.”

Here’s my chat with Tito Boy:

What are your “dos and don’ts” during an interview?

Dos: Prepare, listen, engage.

Don’ts: Don’t ask very long questions that would leave your guests with nothing to say but yes or no. Do not interview with the intent to hurt anyone. Do not feel entitled. You, too, shall pass.

Do you still get the jitters before a speaking engagement? Yes. It’s like getting on a plane. You get used to it, but you’re never really sure.

What was your hardest interview? Sister Christine Tan. She was a one-word interviewee. Fiercely honest. She guarded every word she said.
It was in this interview where I learned the virtue of humility.

Off-cam she asked me, “Who are you?” I answered, “My name is Boy.”

Then, the camera rolled. It was tough, and it has become one of my most treasured interviews.

Was there ever a time when you felt intimidated? Deepak Chopra. For how do you interview a celebrated New Age philosopher?
He arrived on the set a few minutes late because he couldn’t find his belt. So my opening question was, “How does it feel to lose a belt?”

What’s more important to you, awards or ratings? I am still on TV because of the ratings. Awards are a bonus.

How do you handle it when you know that your interviewee is lying? Even liars have rights. I am an interviewer, not a judge.
All I can do is probe more incisively and fiercely, then I let my audience decide.

Who’s your fave interviewee of all time? My Nanay. I remember asking her, “Nay, ano ang namana ko sa ’yo, at ano ang gusto mong manahin sa akin?” She quipped, “Ang namana mo sa akin ay talino, pero ang gusto kong manahin sa ’yo ay pera.” And she punctuated it with priceless laughter.

What turns you into a fanboy? The eyes of La Aunor. Nothing else.
So, I have to say, Happy birthday, Ate Guy, on May 21 (tomorrow).

What’s the best and toughest part of being Boy Abunda? The best is not having to pretend I’m tough—I just have to be me. It was a rough journey to meeting and befriending “me.”

If your life story would be made into a movie, what would the title be? Who would you choose to portray you? “The Good Son,” starring Christian Bables.