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Boy Abunda

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Romerica and the surname or paternal family name is Abunda.

Boy Abunda
Abunda in 2018
Born
Eugenio Romerica Abunda Jr.

(1961-10-29) October 29, 1961 (age 63)
Borongan, Samar, Philippines
Other namesTito Boy
EducationAteneo de Manila University
Philippine Women's University (BA, MA, PhD)
Occupations
Years active1976–present
Employers
Title
  • King of Talk
  • The Icon
  • The Showbiz Authority
PartnerBong Quintana
Relatives
YouTube information
Years active2020–present
GenreCelebrity interviews
Subscribers1.28 million
Total views37.4 million
100,000 subscribers
1,000,000 subscribers
Last updated: January 27, 2022

Eugenio "Boy" Romerica Abunda Jr. (Tagalog pronunciation: [ʔaˈbʊnda]; born October 29, 1961) is a Filipino television presenter, publicist, and talent manager.[1] Known as the "King of Talk", Abunda has presented several talk shows centered on the Philippine entertainment industry.[2] On GMA, he co-presented Show & Tell (1994–1995) and Startalk (1995–1999). After transferring to ABS-CBN, he hosted The Buzz (1999–2015), Kontrobersyal (2003–2006), Homeboy (2005–2007), The Bottomline with Boy Abunda (2009–2020), and Tonight with Boy Abunda (2015–2020). He partnered with Kris Aquino in hosting Boy & Kris (2007–2009), SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon (2009–2011), and Aquino & Abunda Tonight (2014–2015). After the ABS-CBN shutdown, he returned to GMA to host Fast Talk with Boy Abunda (2023–present). In the PMPC Star Awards for Television, he has been inducted to the Hall of Fame for having won Best Celebrity Talk Show Host eleven times while Tonight with Boy Abunda was awarded Best Celebrity Talk Show four times.

An openly gay celebrity, he advocates for LGBT rights in the Philippines. Politician Maria Fe Abunda is his sister.

Early life and education

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Abunda was born Eugenio Romerica Abunda Jr. In Borongan, Samar.[3] He attended Ateneo de Manila University,[3] where he took up Business Management. However, he did not finish that course because of his father's death. He left Ateneo and worked in odd jobs to support himself.[4]

He graduated from Philippine Women's University with degrees Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts in 2009,[5] Master of Arts in Communication Arts in 2011,[6] and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Development in 2016.[7]

Career

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At the Metropolitan Theater, he worked as a stage actor and eventually as an assistant stage manager. Later, he became the assistant of the theater's administrator Conchita "Tita Conching" Sunico,[1] who taught him public relations. In a couple of years, he started Backroom, Inc managing singers and actresses and a public relations firm.[3] He also worked as public relations consultant for GMA Network. It was during Abunda's public relations work in GMA when one of its executives, Bobby Barreiro, suggested that he should try hosting a television show.

Abunda became a host of Show and Tell,[8] a late night variety talk show with Gretchen Barretto, and Startalk,[9] an entertainment talk show. He subsequently moved to GMA's competitor ABS-CBN in 1999, where he has hosted the following shows: The Buzz, Private Conversations, Homeboy, Kontrobersyal,[3] SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon and The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, a talk show interview.[10] He was dubbed "Asia's King of Talk" after The Bottomline was awarded Best Talk Show at the 16th Asian Television Awards (2011).[11] He is also a newscaster for entertainment of the late-night news program Bandila. He also worked as a radio commentator for DZAR, during the Angel Radyo era. He is the founder and head of Asian Artists Agency, a talent management agency.[12]

He also produced an album titled Melodic Conversations.[13]

After 23 years in ABS-CBN, Abunda broke the speculations as he returned to his home network, GMA on December 15, 2022, as part of its retrenchment program caused by the ABS-CBN shutdown from the Philippine Congress that junked the new legislative franchise to operate.[14] He marked his free-to-air television comeback via Fast Talk with Boy Abunda in 2023.[15] However, GMA Network gave him permission to return to ABS-CBN for hosting the Vilma Santos-Recto's 60th anniversary special, Anim na Dekada… Nag iisang Vilma.[16]

'Bilang'

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Abunda, in joint venture with Star Music composed his first single, disco-pop 'Bilang' for Pride Month. He is credited with the lyrics and overall production of the six-soundtrack extended play ‘Say It Clear Say It Loud.’[17]

Personal life

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Abunda is openly gay and has been in a relationship with partner Elmer "Bong" Quintana since 1983.[18] Although Abunda is a practicing Catholic and Marian devotee,[19][20] he is a supporter of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, expressing disagreement with the Church's stand on homosexuality.[19] He denounced the 2016 Orlando Nightclub Shooting,[21] which has been recorded as the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in the United States.

On June 23, 2010, Abunda became a part-time professor at Philippine Women's University, teaching radio and television to Communication Arts students. He currently resides in Quezon City.[citation needed]

Abunda's sister, Maria Fe Abunda, currently serves as a congresswoman for Eastern Samar. She had previously served as the mayor of Borongan.[22]

In 2014, Abunda was hospitalised due to a liver problem.[23]

Filmography

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Television and online

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Year Title Role Notes Network / Channel Source
1994–1995 Show & Tell Himself Host GMA Network
1995–1999 Startalk
1999–2015 The Buzz (formerly known as Buzz ng Bayan from 2013–2014) ABS-CBN
2001–2022 Private Conversations ANC
2003–2006 Kontrobersyal ABS-CBN
2004–2005 Star Circle Quest Judge
2004–2005 Morning Star Host
2005–2019 Pinoy Big Brother Talk show host
2005–2007 Homeboy Host
2007–2009 Boy & Kris
2008 Volta Ama Supporting cast
2008–2022 Inside the Cinema Himself Host Cinema One
2009–2011 SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon Anchor ABS-CBN
2009 Ang Kwento naming Dalawa (Judy Ann-Ryan Love Story) Host and narrator
2009–2020 The Bottomline with Boy Abunda Host
2011–2014 Bandila Ikaw Na! segment anchor / host
2014–2015 Aquino & Abunda Tonight Host
2015 Your Face Sounds Familiar Guest Jury
2015–2020 Tonight with Boy Abunda Host
2016 Born for You Guest
2017 I Can Do That Judge
2019–2020 Your Moment
2022 The 2022 Presidential Interviews with Boy Abunda Host Kapamilya Channel / The Boy Abunda Talk Channel
The Interviews with the Wives and Children of the 2022 Presidential Candidates with Boy Abunda
The Interviewer The Boy Abunda Talk Channel
Fast Talk+ & Why of the 2022 Senatorial Candidates with Boy Abunda
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Guest GMA Network
Compañero: Remembering Sen. Rene Cayetano Host GMA Network / GTV
2023; 2024 All-Out Sundays Guest GMA Network [24]
2023–present Fast Talk with Boy Abunda Host [25]
Cayetano In Action with Boy Abunda GMA Network / GTV [26]
2023 Anim na Dekada… Nag iisang Vilma Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5
Family Feud Contestant (Team Fast Talk) GMA Network
Battle of the Judges Judge [27]
The Political Conversations with the Mayors Host The Boy Abunda Talk Channel
2024 TiktoClock Guest GMA Network
My Mother, My Story Host [28]

Film

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Year Title Role Films
2004 Naglalayag Himself / Cameo Regal Entertainment
Volta Ama Star Cinema
2008 Scaregiver Himself OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions & APT Entertainment
2010 Noy Himself / Cameo Star Cinema
2012 Boy Pick-Up: The Movie Regal Entertainment & GMA Films
2018 The Girl in the Orange Dress Joey Marasigan Star Cinema, Quantum Films, MJM Productions

Bibliography

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  • 2014: Make Your Nanay Proud (ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.)
  • 2017: It's Like This (ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.)
  • 2018: Nanay's Gay Boy: Two Speeches (ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.)

Accolades

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  • Celebrity Inductee Winner, Eastwood City Walk Of Fame Philippines in 2010
  • 3rd EdukCircle Awards - Most Influential Celebrity Endorser of Year (2013)
  • Winner, Best Showbiz Oriented Show Host - PMPC Star Awards for TV
    • Startalk (1995–1999)
    • The Buzz (1999–2008 and 2010) (tied with Paolo Bediones in 2005)
    • SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon (2009)
    • Hall of Fame (2011)
  • Winner, Best Public Affairs Program Host - PMPC Star Awards for TV
    • Private Conversations (2004)
    • The Bottomline With Boy Abunda (2010-2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
  • Winner, Best Magazine Show Host - PMPC Star Awards for TV
    • Kontrobersyal (2004)
  • Winner, Best Celebrity Talk Show Host - PMPC Star Awards for TV
    • Homeboy (2005–2007)
    • Boy and Kris (2008)
  • Winner, Best Talk Show Host - UPLB Gandingan Awards
    • Homeboy (2006)
    • Boy and Kris (2007–2008)
Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
2000 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Male Showbiz-Oriented Show Host The Buzz Won[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bonifacio, Tinna S. (August 2005). "Stardom is hard work: Boy Abunda success is "seizing the moment, not winning it"". JobsDB: Interactive Recruitment Network. Archived from the original on January 20, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  2. ^ Ranara, John Patrick Magno (December 16, 2022). "'King of Talk' Boy Abunda returns to GMA after 23 years". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Boy Abunda biography". Wow! Celebrities. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Mirror, mirror . . ". INQ7.net. December 13, 2006.
  5. ^ Boy Abunda obtained his first college degree. Archived April 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Boy Abunda obtained his second College degree. Archived March 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Boy Abunda graduates with a doctoral degree from PWU. Push.abs-cbn.com. July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ^ Tomada, Nathalie M. "Boy Abunda kicks off Kapuso comeback with two new shows". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "Boy Abunda on Startalk going off the air: "It's painful. Nasasaktan po ako."". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Getting to The Bottomline". The Philippine Star. February 27, 2010.
  11. ^ "Boy Abunda is 'Asia's King of Talk'". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  12. ^ Torregoza, Hannah (February 26, 2018). "Truly Exemplary". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Procrastination awards Archived March 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Manila Times
  14. ^ "Boy Abunda returns to GMA". Manila Bulletin. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  15. ^ "'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' airs on GMA this Jan. 23". Manila Bulletin. January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "Vilma Santos marks 60th showbiz anniversary with ABS-CBN show". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "Boy Abunda composes song 'Bilang' for Pride Month". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  18. ^ The Ballad of Boy and Bong Archived June 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ a b "Boy Abunda on being gay: How can love be a sin?", ABS-CBN Corporation, October 7, 2014, retrieved December 7, 2016
  20. ^ "The Marian devotee in me", Philstar.com, October 7, 2014, retrieved December 7, 2016
  21. ^ Serato, Arniel (July 5, 2016), "What Boy Abunda's partner Bong Quintana said when Boy asked him if they want to get married", Philippine Entertainment Portal, retrieved December 8, 2016
  22. ^ Gabieta, Joy (May 17, 2019). "Boy Abunda sis is new Eastern Samar rep". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  23. ^ BOY ABUNDA SUFFERED FROM LIVER PROBLEM, NOW RECOVERING
  24. ^ "Makikitambay sa AyOS Lounge nina Pokwang, Aicelle Santos, at Christian Bautista ang King of Talk na si Boy Abunda! Welcome back, Kapuso! 💖 #AllOutSundays | Sundays at 12 NOON on GMA, GTV, Heart Of Asia, I Heart Movies, and Pinoy Hits". Twitter. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  25. ^ Asis, Salve. "Boy Abunda, handa na sa 'Fast Talk?!'". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  26. ^ Rula, Gorgy. "Boy Abunda, gusto ring mag-produce ng interview show". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  27. ^ "Boy Abunda, wala sa listahan ang maging noontime show host". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  28. ^ "Kapamilya TV host Luis Manzano, mapapanood sa programa ng GMA-7". PEP.ph. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  29. ^ "Happy, triumphant faces at the 14th PMPC Star Awards for TV". The Philippine Star. October 9, 2000. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
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