The journey continues

Three years ago, when I moved to ABS-CBN, I was entering the unknown and I was excited. I had gotten used to darkness that I had come to sort of like it especially after I discovered the infinite possibilities it could offer. But I also don’t mind having the lights on. I am sinfully adjustable.

A couple of months in ABS-CBN, I found my way to the office of "FMG" (Freddie M. Garcia, ABS-CBN’s President). I don’t mean to pander to Freddie but even when he was with Channel 7, I was already surreptitiously watching him in awe. People talk about his genius and charisma. From a distance, I revered Philippine television’s biggest name – then and now. Freddie’s genius is solidly anchored in "the boy from Naic" who has remained whole and has not been lost in the glam of television. He is a boy who has journeyed through ricefields, symphonic movements, rivers and the world’s best wines. It is the amalgam of all this that makes FMG understand the intricate, amorphous, undefinable taste of the Filipino TV audiences. And he is both risqué and courageous in his moves. He has the gut feel of a seasoned gambler and the calculating, prudent mind of a Sun Tzu disciple.

But if FMG understands the art of war, he has on his palm written the art of life. He has a laughter that roars in wild abandon. Freddie at the end of the day is a mortal doing a superhuman job that, thank God, has not successfully stolen the heart of the boy from Naic.

Back to that afternoon when I was pushed by destiny to intrude into FMG’s office, I begged his secretary if she could pass a note that a courtesan (that was I) could for a fleeting moment distract him from a meeting he was having with two executives.

He very kindly acceded to the request of the sweet-smiling geisha (that was also me!) I tip-toed into FMG’s office. A big smile greeted me and a firm handshake assured me I was home. Quickly, I stopped pretending to be coy. I knew I didn’t have much time, given FMG’s frenetic schedule. I immediately proceeded to my discourse. I wanted to do a "conversation show." I dreamt about this. One that would allow me more than three minutes of talk with a guest. I thought I could talk to anybody on air. The prospect was orgasmic. I wanted something new. I felt I could do more than just the cursory, welcome-how-are-you-what-movie-are-you-promoting kind of interviews I have been doing since eternity. I must have been so carried away by my passionate soliloquy that I would have put Hamlet to shame. FMG very kindly listened. He indulged me in my moment of insanity.

But FMG got my point. He talked about the beauty of sizzling, scintillating personal conversations. "You can talk about anything under the stars. It would be fun. And you can call it Private Conversations with Boy Abunda." He lifted what seemed to be the most powerful ammunition of the moment, dialed it and spoke to Jake Maderazo, my kababayan and friend and head of the ABS-CBN News Channel. He asked Jake to come to his office and we talked more about Private Conversations and its infinite possibilities. I also wanted to be in the cable channel. It had a certain charm – an appeal that is diminished when you go to the network channel. Besides, I didn’t have to worry about ratings.

Private Conversations was born and a dream came true. Thank you FMG, Jake, Charo (Santos-Concio) who has been extremely supportive. Thank you Gabby (Lopez). Thank you Mr. M, kaibigang Cory, Leng, and Mariole. Thank you David, Nikka, Jess, Anne, Bobby, Arnel, Almed, Gasper, Rhobee, Jona, and all the guests who have been invited, coerced, cajoled to be in the show. All of you made Private Conversations with Boy Abunda what it is and what it will be. March 27 marked our second year on air (My first guest was new age philosopher Deepak Chopra). It was quietly celebrated in my heart with deep gratitude for the people who created it and who continue to make it happen.

Every show is like reading a new book. There is always a new trick invented, a lesson learned, laughter, even tears and heartaches shared.

God, I’m overwhelmed by the kindness of people – advertisers who believe in the show and people who actually watch it. People who say they like or they don’t like the show. There are conversations that "kill me" – those where I failed to listen well, to follow up on an answer, to ask the right questions or where I failed to make a connection or one which was simply a lousy verbal intercourse. I blame no one but myself. And like a wounded warrior, I look forward to the next conversation.

But if there had been bad hair days, there are the good ones. Conversations that make you feel good and smile. Conversations that lift up your spirit and those that touch people’s lives (In a future column, I would like to share with you things that I immediately remember when I look back to past conversations).

The journey continues. I’m farthest from being the best. But I’m working hard to be the best that I can be. The mistakes I commit along the way are mine and mine alone. The good points are because people help me along. Everytime I do PCBA, the first to text me is Kris Aquino – either reprimanding me for a shiny nose or praising me for a good research. When I get home, Bong, my domestic partner, says the best and nastiest comments about my work. They make life worth living and they provide the soul of my private conversations.

(And of course, I greet Joanne Bonner every Sunday on The Buzz!).