The untold story of Boy Abunda

Behind the glitter and glamour and away from the glare of the klieg lights, celebrities are also human. This was what incisive TV host Boy Abunda has successfully tried to prove with every interview in his six-year-old talk show, Private Conversations with Boy Abunda, which airs Thursday nights on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

Just how deep Boy pries into the private lives of celebrities is best shown in the casual, yet perceptive banter he does with his subjects every week on Private Conversations. He is one talk show host who can get his guests to open up and share a part of themselves with the viewers without any pretenses at all. His desire to inspire and empower his audience is evident in every interview he does.

"In every conversation, there is always a voice that you hear, a story to discover or a point of view that you see," Boy grants. "To this day, I still look forward to every interview I do in the show. I can allow the softer or the more risqué side of my subject to shine. Thankfully, I have not had a guest who told me what not to ask."

A certified TV royalty by being a respected, well-known and multi-awarded host, Boy is seen on TV practically everyday with four ABS-CBN shows in his schedule, Homeboy airs Mondays to Fridays; Kontrobersyal is shown on Fridays; Private Conversations airs Thursdays; and The Buzz airs on Sundays.

Yet, he is not a bit worried about over-exposure. "In this generation, I’d like to think over-exposure is an issue," maintains Boy, also a topnotch star builder, publicity whiz and image maker. "In terms of text and content, I do entertainment news on The Buzz. Kontrobersyal allows me to be political or non-political. HomeBoy tackles lifestyle topics. On Private Conversations, I can develop discussions, enjoy the words, the pauses and even the silences. It’s complete poetry. We have enough time. The show pays the least among all my other TV projects, but it’s closest to my heart."

Private Conversations started as an idea of former ABS-CBN president Freddie Garcia, who also thought of the show’s title. At the helm then was Bobby Garcia, followed by Arnel Natividad. The present director is Carie Jose.

To this day, Boy still relishes his first interview for the show’s pilot episode. "It was with New Age philosopher Deepak Chopra, whose concern was he lost his belt before coming down to the function room where the interview was going to take place," Boy shares.

His most memorable subjects, to date, include Mark Victor Hansen, who wrote Chicken Soup for the Soul; Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears discoverer Lou Pearlman, who rents jets to the rich and famous in America and the late Sister Christine Tan, who cracked up and started to laugh when asked if she had fallen in love.

Boy particularly likes the Aparador ni Lola episode with Anna Leah Sarabia and Emmie Velarde; as well as his interviews with Martin Nievera, Kris Aquino, Lea Salonga and Floy Quintos.

Conversations with God author Neale Donald Walsch cried a river as he talked about his indiscretions in the show. Former First Lady Ming Ramos simply quipped, "Next question, please," when asked about socialite Baby Arenas. Designer Ito Curata admitted he’s gay and Rod Strunk, husband of the late Nida Blanca, professed his innocence on the show.

In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did her first studio interview on Private Conversations, after she was proclaimed president following the EDSA Dos uprising that toppled former President Joseph Estrada from Malacañang.

Boy’s feature on Borgy Manotoc on Private Conversations also gave the multi-awarded host and his network an Asian TV Awards nomination for Best Talk Show.

"You can only plant so much," Boy points out. "Thirty percent comes from research and 70 percent comes from what you see. There’s always that excitement of what’s going to come next or how your subject will react to you. I’m not a dancer. I’m a conversationalist and interviewer. But I probably experience the same high a dancer does when he does a pas de deux. I like verbal calisthenics and Private Conversations allows that."

Throughout the 300 interviews he has done, Boy admits he has learned to listen. "(ABC Nightline anchor) Ted Koppel once said there’s an act of ‘judicious to delicious’ interruption," Boy explains. "There’s a particular technique you should adapt to interrupt a guest. You cannot allow them to go on talking and talking. It’s in the breathing or pauses, just like boxing. You have to know when to pause, so as not to appear rude."

So far, Boy has never been caught off guard in his show. "But I’m not afraid to be caught off guard or speechless," he asserts. "I’m even looking forward to that. You have to allow that to happen."

By this time, viewers are no longer surprised how Boy can extract anything his audience doesn’t know yet from his guests. More often, he lays bare some of the treasured private secrets of his subjects. He is honest yet sensitive; curious yet insightful; constantly keen yet discerning. There are also instances where he can be over-eager and intense.

"There are interviews where I feel I could have done better. I talk a lot. I’m extremely opinionated. I’m too much of a pleaser, but who is not? I’m also driven," Boy says.

He is proud, however, about the way he conducts his interviews with his subjects, whether the other person is a head of state, a politician, a bold star, an international celebrity or an upcoming star.

"I work hard on my interviews," Boy beams. "I spend a lot of time reading research materials. I always sit down in front of my subjects prepared. I’ve discovered that politicians are the most cautious interviewees. Ed Angara has evolved on Private Conversations from a very nervous and proper man to someone who is very relaxed."

Although he is known for being a fashion plate, Boy sticks to a particular look for Private Conversations by wearing black. In a way, it also easily helps the viewers identify him on what show he’s doing, given his selected wardrobe.

"On The Buzz, I wear more colorful and avant-garde clothes. I’m a fashionista," he grants. "On Homeboy, I’m more Bohemian. On Kontrobersyal, I go for that signature suit or trench coat. On Private Conversations, I always wear black. I can be everything."

On Thursday, Jan. 19, Private Conversations marks its 300th episode, with opposition Rep. Chiz Escudero as special guest.

"Chiz is very interesting," Boy says of the young whiz at the Lower House. "I’ve always been fond of him. As a political observer, I’ve seen him evolve into one of the important political players in the country. He’s a guy who speaks his mind out. You may disagree with him, but he still respects his views in the end.

"Chiz has a different perspective, opinion and conviction. He has a different voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes president (of the Philippines) one day. It’s nice to know about his political background and philosophy or where his political idealism ends."

After Boy’s 300th interview, what comes next on Private Conversations with Boy Abunda? For sure, more interesting interviews with equally interesting personalities.

"I’d like to interview Manny Pangilinan," Boy allows. "One of my dream interviews is also Freddie Garcia. This show wouldn’t have been possible if not for him. I’d like to be able to do a lengthy interview with him. I also want to thank him for allowing me the Private Conversations of my life."