King of Talk Boy Abunda finally decided to release a statement with regards to the shut down of his home network ABS-CBN.
He has been with the network for 21 years and people have been waiting for his statement over the issue.
He addressed the issue in his new YouTube series Talk About Talk (TAT).
The TV host was interviewed by three young individuals, whom he called the TATlers, who asked him questions about the ABS-CBN franchise issue.
Abunda said that he was not silent towards the said issue, but rather he lacked the platform to express himself and his concerns.
He mentioned that back when the media giant was still operating, his shows Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA) and The Bottomline with Boy Abunda (TBLWBA) served as his platform.
Abunda noted that whenever he is in grief or pain, he chooses to be silent about it. He didn’t let the people who continuously demanded his statement about the issue get to him. He explained that people have different ways of expressing their grief.
He said that some are loud and vocal just like actress Angel Locsin who led the noise barrage for the network, and some are silent with their grievance just like him.
However, it can be remembered that back when ABS-CBN supporters were rallying along Sgt. Esguerra on February 21, Abunda hosted a dinner with GMA Network executives.
He was bashed because he failed to support his co-workers when they were fighting to renew the franchise of their network.
Abunda did not talk about the incident in his interview but when he was asked of his opinions with the decision of the lawmakers to shutdown ABS-CBN, he said that “This is the height of injustice. I don’t think ABS-CBN should remain closed.”
He talked about one of the issues raised on the hearings about the ABS-CBN management abusing its employees. He said that he has never experienced any form of abuse with the network.
He even praised the ABS-CBN network saying that even though he learned how to walk in GMA, he learned how to fly in ABS-CBN.
Abunda shared his opinion on whether the government should be held accountable to the network’s shut down in a way that the decision was related to politics.
“This is what democracy is all about. 70 ang bumoto. 70 people voted against the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN. 11 voted [in favor of renewal], 2 [inhibitions] and then 1 [abstention]. Nakita natin the way [they] voted,” he said.
“So, was that a party vote? My opinion, yes. It was,” he added.
He noted that the decision that the lawmakers greatly affected the industry along with the lives of ABS-CBN employees.
“I lost a job that I passionately love,” he said.
“People are crying, people are lost. This pain is real. I’m not talking about data. I’m not talking about statistics. I am talking about real people who are suffering, who are in pain, who don’t know what to do,” he added.
He recalled the case of Mavic Oducayen, a production manager in ABS-CBN, who was reported to have died of a heart attack after she learned that she will be one of the employees who will be retrenched.
With the shutdown of ABS-CBN, the network will be forced to retrench its employees to assure that some of its employees will still be employed. The retrenchment program will be effective by the end of August.
He said that many people are disheartened by the shutdown of the network.
“‘Pag pinag-uusapan ang pagsasara ng ABS-CBN, this is something that is real. This is a pain that I feel. Not just my pain, but the pain of people who I’ve worked with for years, for decades,” he noted.
He added that even when his mother passed away, he went to work the morning after saying that “Ganun ko kamahal ang trabahong ‘to.”
“You can imagine what it means to lose this job,” he further said.
He mentioned that he wouldn’t have done anything differently compared to the acts of the ABS-CBN management in dealing with the franchise hearings at the time.
“I wouldn’t have done anything differently in so far as our bosses were concerned. I felt they did the best they could. They were diligent in their research, they would attend the hearings, and most of all they brought with them a lot of humility.”
He said that he would just further add to the actions of his bosses.
“I would have identified it as a political problem that needed a political solution.”
Meaning, he would have begged each and every one of the members of the congress, committee on legislative franchises, and good government and public accountability to grant the application of ABS-CBN for a fresh franchise.
He talked about the decision of his friend Cong. Mike Defensor who voted against the franchise renewal. He said that even though he respects the congressman’s decision, he is still deeply hurt by it.
“I was deeply hurt by his vote, until this very moment I grieve. But I can live with differing opinions,” Abunda said.
Abunda assured that he can accept other opinions of people but it still doesn’t diminish his pain. He wants the people to know that he is in pain. But he cannot unfriend a friend simply because of opposing opinions.
When Abunda was asked about his plans on working with other networks, he said that he will consider the thought after December 31, 2020, because he wants to rest, cry, and grieve first.
“Hindi nga ako nag-grieve kay nanay masyado, namatay pa ang ABS-CBN. So this is my opportunity to ruminate, to examine, you know to meditate, to think,” he said.
“I’d like to be a better person after this episode in my life,” he added.
He will not enter into politics right now but he might change his mind later on.
“But a public office outside of an elective post is more possible para sa akin,” he stated.
Upon ending the interview, Abunda left some words of wisdom that people can ponder on.
He said that he chose to be silent with the ABS-CBN franchise issue because he has the power to do so.
“Let’s not forget, that silence can also be a weapon. You know why? Because when you are silent, you can rattle you enemy. You can unsettle your enemy,” he said.
Even though he is still in pain with the network’s shutdown, he believes that the time will come when the network will open its doors again.
“Right now, amidst pain, I remain hopeful,” he said.
