Two days ago, Tito Boy Abunda turned another year “fiercer.” But aside from his birthday, I also celebrate our long-standing friendship. So allow me to pay a little tribute to the so-called King of Talk. Après tout, what would Pinoy showbiz be without him?
I can’t decide if Tito Boy is better as a TV host or as a friend because he excels at both. We fondly call each other “sistah.” I cherish our “Showbiz Lingo” and “The Buzz” memories. Working with sistah does not seem like work at all.
He has a knack for making coworkers feel at ease, no matter how starstruck they are when he’s around. He has a way of making celebrities feel safe, even if “cross-examining” them comes with his job description. His sincerity shines through amid all the “showbiz kaplastikan.”
I love it when he calls me up randomly. His phone calls feel like a big, warm hug. I relish our bonding moments in our “happy place,” La Carmela de Boracay with his dear partner, Bong Quintana, and our good friend, Boy So.
I am forever grateful to sistah for being in my corner no matter what. One of my fave memories about him is when he interviewed me in “Startalk” at the height of a controversy I was embroiled in.
Tito Boy asked me point-blank, “So, are you really pregnant with the baby of (an action superstar)? I shot back, “Yes I am pregnant (long pause) … with thoughts, but not necessarily about (name of the action superstar).” So, it has become a running joke between us to say, “Stay pregnant with thoughts.”
I cannot thank Tito Boy enough for always being the first one to come to my rescue when showbiz and life become unkind.
Birthday cheers to a truly “BOY-eautiful” human being, whom I love more and more through every Oct. 29th of his charmed life.
Here’s my chat with Tito Boy (although I didn’t tell sistah that it was for my birthday tribute to him):
What’s something new that you learned about yourself and Bong during quarantine?
That we could be together for long periods of time without anyone plotting the “annihilation” of the other. That we can pray the Oratio Imperata, listen to Andrea Bocelli’s “Lord’s Prayer” and receive the blessing of Pope Francis—every day in peace and love. That our love has enabled us to be patient with each other and respect our Herculean differences in sports (tennis for Bong vs my badminton), TV shows (HGTV and Metro Channel vs ABS-CBN and CNN International), food (steak vs paksiw na isda).
We have become more mindful of each other in ways that we didn’t realize we could. We now know that God is our center.
When do you plan to return to TV?
I will consider work for TV after Dec. 31—if there’s still space [for me] out there.
Do you miss being on TV daily, or is this period a welcome respite for you?
I miss it, I welcome the break, I enjoy the slow pace. Right now, I have busy days with my talents, my podcast, my YouTube channel, my Facebook fan page, my hosting gigs, my guestings, my reading, my gardening, my praying! (Please subscribe to my YouTube account, “The Boy Abunda Talk Channel.”)
What’s life like for you after the ABS-CBN shutdown? How did you deal with the pain brought about by the closure?
Tough and lonely. But this too shall pass. I have not dealt with the pain. I embrace it tightly—and will continue to do so until it loses its power.
Would you be open to do a show on GMA 7 or TV5?
I am open to do shows anywhere I’m welcome. My first option is to wait a while until ABS has something for me—that’s my priority. If there’s none, either I create my own opportunities, or I will sell myself to anyone interested at the Commonwealth wet market (laughs)!
How do you stay hopeful amid the crisis?
I make that decision to be hopeful and positive. Every day I say it. I do it. I pray for it! I cannot not be a better person after this pandemic, which has reminded me how finite life is. It’s short, I might as well make the most out of it by being kind, humble and more forgiving—and more prayerful. And if it means I have to be boring, then I will embrace blandness with my spiked Louboutin!