Well-loved TV host Boy Abunda is now exploring the wild wild world of digital and the Internet as he launches his own YouTube Channel.
Titled BATalk (knowing Boy and his sly sense of humor this is pronounced batokhaha) on the Boy Abunda Talk channel, we can only surmise that the channel’s content will be filled with what Boy does best: talk and talk with the most interesting people.
While Boy may have interviewed more people than ordinary folks like us can interview in three lifetimes, he admits that in each interview, he still gets giddy and excited—no matter who he talks to. Whether it’s the president of the Philippines, the hottest Hollywood stars, the matinee idol of the moment, or some bold star promoting her B-movie, Boy does all his interviews with extraordinary effort. He studies his research material and diligently prepares his questions. But what makes Boy a good interviewer is that he easily picks up on things and issues that make a good conversation. He will sometimes drop a prepared question or two to focus on that tidbit that the interviewee may find mundane, but with a little more prodding from Boy, it takes on importance and even becomes pivotal to the interview. The secret, he once told me, is to be interested in everything in life so that you will remain interesting. He said that he has to be genuinely interested in the story of his subject. He said that you must be interested in a lot of things as your subject may inadvertently open up about some trivia, and if you don’t know anything about it, then you may have missed a big revelation.
While Boy is known for his interview tricks, such as bringing out his mahiwagang salamin, or asking his guests to say “Ikaw na!,” or firing those rapid questions which he calls “Fast Talk,” he is an extraordinary storyteller and does this with so much heart, panache and wit. He deftly navigates the dance that is conversation and we, his audience, are always engaged and enthralled.
Congratulations, Boy, on your new endeavor. I can’t wait to see your videos on your YouTube channel.
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ABS-CBN Corp. and ABS-CBN Foundation (AFI) commemorate the first death anniversary of Gina Lopez with a monthlong celebration of her legacy, which will be showcased on their various cable TV programs and digital platforms.
The celebration will be capped by the launch of the book I Am Gina, written by Jenie Chan. The book reveals many untold stories of her life as a missionary in Africa and India, and her struggles and victories when she implemented landmark humanitarian programs in the Philippines.
A known environmentalist and philanthropist, Gina Lopez served the Philippine government as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
She was the managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation who pioneered important projects in the Philippines, like Educational Television (ETV), Bantay Bata 163, and the cleanup of the Pasig River.
“The encompassing message of Gina’s life and works is about love—love for children, love for the environment and love for country and humankind. Hence, the theme of this monthlong celebration is ‘Genuine Love Forever,’” said Susan Afan, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation.
In these difficult times brought about by the pandemic, it is the hope of the foundation that the lessons shared by the life of Gina Lopez would inspire people to never lose hope and to “trust in the Divine.”
Noon-time variety show ASAP will showcase a tribute to Gina Lopez through music and book readings on August 30. This will be streamed live on the iWant, YouTube and Facebook pages of ABS-CBN.
Watch out for G Diaries on iWant on August 16, 23, and 30 as it will showcase a compilation of their memorable stories and video clips with Lopez when she was hosting the program from 2017 to 2019.
The Healing Eucharist will stream on iWant.ph, a live mass celebration dedicated to Gina Lopez on August 19, her death anniversary.