During a press conference for his special ‘My Mother, My Story’ on May 9, King of Talk Boy Abunda revealed that he and his partner Bong Quintana had faced issues of timing when it came to adoption.
Abunda shared that their journey toward adoption began more than two decades ago while he was still hosting ‘StarTalk.’ At that time, it was Abunda who wanted to adopt, but Quintana was hesitant.
“Siguro many years ago, I was doing ‘Star Talk’ pa. So that would be 25 years ago, I wanted to adopt,” he shared. “Si Bong ang may ayaw. Feeling ko kasi, that has to be mutually agreed by both parties.”
Quintana, now the assistant vice president for entertainment at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), was a flight attendant at the time and was concerned about how they would manage their time. He felt it would be unfair for the child to have both parents who were very busy with their careers.
“Ang problema namin nun, Bong was flying for an airline as a flight attendant. So, kulang kami sa oras. Ang sinasabi niya parati, ‘Wala na tayong oras para sa isa’- isa’ and then ‘Ano ang kapasidad nating mag alaga sa bata? We might be unfair,'” recalled Abunda.
The TV host was persistent, as he dreamt of having a family of his own, especially coming from a small family.
“But I remember that time, I was insistent. Gusto ko talagang magkaroon ng bata. Gusto ko lang kasi maliit kaming pamilya. Dalawa lang kaming magkapatid, ngayon iisa lang ang aming pamangkin. I have an adopted nephew so we’re a very small family, pero napakalaking clan.”
Interestingly, about ten years ago, their roles reversed. Quintana expressed a desire to adopt, but by then, Abunda felt it might not be fair to the child.
“Tapos, mga ten years ago, si Bong naman ang may gusto. Ako naman parang hindi na fair sa bata. Mga five years ago siguro, before Covid. Dumaan lang sa isipan namin,” stated Abunda.
Although Abunda is now hesitant about adopting a child, he is unsure whether he regrets not having adopted.
“But I don’t know if it is regret na sana… hindi ko alam. I don’t know. But I love children. I love children.”
