Tonight with Boy Abunda presented a special episode in celebration of the one and only King of Talk’s birthday in November of 2018. Instead of the usual interview by the beloved host, Boy Abunda was interviewed by one of the networks most iconic celebrities and TV hosts, Vice Ganda.
In this episode, we got to know more about Tito Boy and his personal relationships, his industry secrets and the good and bad moments in his career in the many years as a talk show host and icon.
Having been in the industry for more than two decades, Boy Abunda has become one of the most iconic talk show hosts in Philippine television with an array of programs attached to his name—such as The Buzz, Homeboy and The Bottomline. In his many years in the network, the King of Talk has interviewed most—if not all—the familiar faces in the showbiz world and has brought forth all the controversial issues surrounding our favorite Kapamilya stars. He took the hot seat as Vice asked daring and intriguing questions to the beloved TWBA host.
In his many years in the industry, the King of Talk has worked on so many projects throughout his career and has become the center of many praises but also, the subject of ridicule. In a world where beauty is your greatest arsenal, Tito Boy admitted that if he were younger, he would have been hurt by insults and negative comments about his features—like when people say he looks a lot like the famous TV character Kokey. But the King of Talk wisely stated that he’s no longer affected by them and quoted: “You have to reach a certain point in your life that you can’t be defined by words.”
Tito Boy is also known for his popular advice: “Make your nanay proud”, which has become the foundation of all his programs. When asked about his mother, Nanay Lising, the King of Talk couldn’t help but get emotional upon the question: what memory he wishes he wouldn’t want her to forget? The King of Talk relayed how he joined a contest back in his hometown in his elementary school days and had ultimately forgotten the piece he’s about to recite. His mother gave him a piece of advice then, which he carried on throughout his career and has helped him through this fiercely competitive business, “Sabi niya sa akin, even before a contest begins, you will always be my winner.”
The King of Talk expressed that no matter how many birthdays he celebrates on television, he will always be grateful to his mother who made him believe that he’s “okay”—making him confident in himself as he knows he’s a winner in anything he does.
When asked on his last advice to everyone, Tito Boy did not hesitate and stated his famous line: “Make your nanay proud”; explaining that by making her proud, you’re also making your father and family proud, implying that you are a kind person.