We all know that he is usually the one with the questions and the introductions. We all know him to be the one to give fiery and straight-forward interviews and intriguing "Fast Talk" topics. We all know him to be the one who'd receive heart-warming & heart-wrenching revelations by digging deep and asking the right questions. But this time, it's his turn to be on the receiving end, by answering and telling all. The one and only Boy Abunda joined The Morning Rush on the show last Friday, Oct 23 for a pre-recorded interview!
"It sounds a bit strange when you're introduced as an icon." Boy Abunda immediately said when he got on the video conference! Chico asked Tito Boy what it feels like to be on the opposite side this time and be the interviewee, not the interviewer. His answer is short but precise. "No. If you have the audacity to ask questions, you should be ready to answer them." Well, he's definitely not wrong on that one! And props to him for answering bravely as much as he ask questions bravely.
Tito Boy shared that in Public Speaking class (yes, he teaches Public Speaking!) that there is a special session dedicated entirely to declaring the space of learning as a No Judgment Zone. He shared that he has no right to judge interviewees because he is a part of their story-telling process and that most of the time, it's not the person we're judging but ourselves due to deep-seated insecurities.
One of Tito Boy's dream interviews in the world, (besides Oprah, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris) is Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo. Tito Boy shared that Indra Nooyi was supposed to be the keynote speaker of a conference that involved the Philippines. Tito Boy was supposed to book an interview with her but Indra never confirmed, which left him heartbroken and fidgety just due to the fact one of his dream interviews will be fulfilled. This is one of the instances in Tito Boy's career that he did feel close to nervous. Whenever he feels that way, Tito Boy goes back to his core and his truth. He doesn't get nervous because of how he presents himself with integrity, and that he is comfortable with everything that he is and isn't. A beautiful line from a poem by Maya Angelou that Tito Boy once shared and taught to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was, "I come as one, I stand as ten thousand." Tito Boy relates to that quote because of his truth; he's Bisaya, gay with a partner, had difficult beginnings but that doesn't make him alone in this lifetime. He stands on the shoulder of his parents and ancestors and that they are all proud of him. He is known as Tito Boy, but he is not alone, for he represents his entire generation and his entire truth - and that's what makes him stand.
After apprenticing with the late, great Conching Sunico of the Manila Metropolitan Theater (to whom he was a protege), Tito Boy gained fame as a high-profile publicist. He established the groundbreaking Backroom Inc. (now Asian Artists Agency) in 1989, home of a diverse range of talents from Ariel Rivera to Ai Ai de las Alas. He was also the publicist and chief PR man of Monster Radio RX93.1 for many years. The Monster consulted him for such great campaigns as "The First Creative Pop Station".
Tito Boy whole-heartedly admitted that he had a difficult beginning. Tito Boy never dreamt of becoming a host. Although he wasn't dirt-poor, since he has very hardworking parents, he never saw a television in his childhood. He also didn't know the existence of television jobs and hosting. He eventually dabbled in that field when Bobby Barreiro asked him to do on-cam chat as a part of a consultancy group on GMA7. Tito Boy took the opportunity to do the on-cam chat as he would just be talking in front, when a close friend of his confronted him in a somber manner saying that he is worried about Tito Boy. In other words, he is looking down at Tito Boy's career path and doesn't want him to host and be in front of the TV because of his sexuality, his roots & accent and his looks. Instead of beating himself down of what these qualities considered to be "taboo" back in the day, Tito Boy fought for himself. He was unapologetic because that was and is still his truth. And he's proud of who he is. It was definitely a difficult start but with his perseverance and fire inside him, Tito Boy became who he is now - the renowned King Of Talk!
If you want to know more of Tito Boy's wisdom and gain more insight, he will be starting his own podcast soon called "Who Are You When No One Is Watching" to be launched on his birthday, October 29th on podcast platforms! Better stay tuned for that since we all need some brain & mental food at a time like this.
Check out Boy Abunda's full interview on The Morning Rush here: