Boy Abunda

Boy Abunda was born in Borongan.[2] He attended Ateneo de Manila University[2] taking up business management. However, he failed to finish that course because of his father's death. He left Ateneo and worked in odd jobs to support himself.[3]

At the Metropolitan Theater, he worked as a stage actor and after that, 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. Within a couple of years, he started Backroom, Inc managing singers and actresses and a public relations firm.[2] He was working as a public relations consultant for GMA Network when a network executive named Bobby Barreiro, suggested he try hosting a television show.

Abunda became a host of Show and Tell, a late night variety talk show with Gretchen Barretto, and Startalk, an entertainment talk show. He subsequently moved to GMA Network's competitor ABS-CBN in 1999, where he has hosted the following shows: The Buzz, Private Conversations, Homeboy, Kontrobersyal,[2] SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon and The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, a talk show interview.[4] He is also a newscaster for entertainment of the late-night news program Bandila.

He also produced an album titled Melodic Conversations.[5]

He graduated from Philippine Women's University with degrees including Bachelor of Arts in communication arts in 2009,[6] Master of Arts in communication arts in 2011,[7] and Doctor of Philosophy in social development in 2016.[8]

Abunda is openly gay and has been in a relationship with partner Elmer "Bong" Quintana since 1983.[9] Although a practicing Catholic and Marian devotee,[10][11] Abunda is a supporter of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, expressing disagreement with the Church's stand on homosexuality.[10] He denounced the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting,[12] which has been recorded as the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in United States history.

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.

Abunda's sister, Maria Fe Abunda, currently serves as a congresswoman for Eastern Samar. She had previously served as the mayor of Borongan.[13]

In August 2014, Abunda was not seen on TV for weeks. On September 7, 2014, he revealed in an exclusive interview with The Buzz that he had suffered from a medical condition in which 300 milliliters of abscess was removed from his liver. He was discharged from the hospital on August 23.[14]

• 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)

• Boy Abunda | Facebook Page
• Boy Abunda on IMDb