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Boy Abunda

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Eugenio "Boy" Romerica Abunda Jr. is a prominent Filipino television presenter, publicist, and talent manager.

He is widely recognized by the title "King of Talk." This nickname comes from his skill in hosting talk shows about the Philippine entertainment industry. Abunda has built a massive career through interviews and managing artistic talent. He has also become a significant voice for LGBTQ rights in the Philippines. His work spans television, radio, and even music production.

Abunda's professional journey began in the theater. He worked at the Metropolitan Theater as a stage actor and an assistant stage manager. During this time, he assisted the theater's administrator, Conchita "Tita Conching" Sunico. She taught him the field of public relations, which involves managing the public image of people or companies. Abunda later used these skills to start Backroom, Inc. This firm managed singers and actresses. He also founded the Asian Artists Agency to serve as a talent management agency.

His television career moved through several major stages and networks. He started at GMA Network, where he co-presented shows like Show & Tell and Startalk. In 1999, he moved to the competitor network, ABS-CBN. There, he hosted many long-running programs. These included The Buzz, which ran from 1999 to 2015. He also hosted Kontrobersyal, Homeboy, and SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon. One of his most notable programs was The Bottomline with Boy Abunda. This show focused on deep interviews and ran from 2009 to 2020.

Abunda's educational path was marked by both difficulty and great achievement. He was born in Borongan, Samar, and attended several elementary schools. He later studied Business Management at Ateneo de Manila University. However, he could not finish his degree because of his father's death. He worked various odd jobs to support himself during this period. Eventually, he enrolled at Philippine Women's University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts in 2009. He later earned a Master of Arts in Communication Arts in 2011. In 2016, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Development.

His excellence in broadcasting has earned him many prestigious honors. At the PMPC Star Awards for Television, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. This honor was given because he won the Best Celebrity Talk Show Host award eleven times. His program Tonight with Boy Abunda also won the Best Celebrity Talk Show award four times. In 2011, he received the title "Asia's King of Talk." This happened after his show, The Bottomline, won Best Talk Show at the 16th Asian Television Awards.

Abunda's career has also faced significant changes due to political shifts. After the ABS-CBN shutdown by the Philippine Congress, he returned to GMA Network on December 15, 2022. He began hosting Fast Talk with Boy Abunda in 2023. Despite this move, GMA allowed him to return to ABS-CBN for a special anniversary event for Vilma Santos. He also continues to work in various media formats. He has served as a radio commentator for DZAR and an entertainment newscaster for the program Bandila.

Beyond his professional roles, Abunda is an influential figure in social advocacy. He is an openly gay man and has been with his partner, Elmer "Bong" Quintana, since 1983. He uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage. He has even expressed disagreement with the Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality. To celebrate Pride Month, he composed a disco-pop single titled "Bilang." He also contributed to the musical production of the extended play "Say It Clear Say It Loud." His influence extends to academia, as he served as a professor at Philippine Women's University starting in 2010.

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