During a press conference for his upcoming series ‘My Mother, My Story’ on May 9, renowned TV host Boy Abunda opened up about a significant and emotional confrontation he had with his mother, sparked by a personal revelation he made on a television show.
In the interview, Abunda disclosed that his father was born out of wedlock—a long-kept family secret that he accidentally revealed on national TV. They live just four houses away from his father’s biological parent, yet the circumstances of his father’s birth were never openly discussed within their family.
This culture of silence deeply influenced Abunda’s upbringing, teaching him and his siblings not to question their complex family dynamics. However, as a host, he felt compelled to share his personal experiences to elicit stories from his guests.
Unbeknownst to him, his late mother, Nanay Lesing, watched the episode. The following day, she requested a private conversation with her son—an unusual and serious occurrence in their household.
“Kapag ganoon ang nanay, tahimik, medyo may problema,” the TV host recalled.
Speaking in their native Waray language, his mother expressed her disapproval.
“Hindi maganda ang ginawa mo kagabi,” Abunda narrated.
Although he tried to justify his actions, his mother made a lasting point: despite his desire to confront his truths, some things are best kept hidden.
“Pero hindi ko malilimutan ang sinabi ng nanay. I don’t know if it applies to me but it applies to me very often in my life lalo na sa usaping pamilya.”
“‘Hindi lahat ng totoo, sinasabi lalo na ‘pag ang totoo nakakasakit.’ Hindi ko malilimutan iyon,” he shared.
Acknowledging his mother’s perspective, Abunda apologized, understanding that while he had a right to his personal truths, these were intertwined with the lives of others, including his mother and father.
“Parang ang inisip ko noon, I have to deal with this. Bakit ko ikakahiya? So, ang point ng nanay, ikaw ‘yon. Paano kami? Paano ako? Ako ang asawa ng ama mo.”
During the press conference, Abunda also revealed another family secret—that a school was named after his father: Eugenio Boy Abunda Sr. Elementary School.
Reflecting on an interview with professional impersonator Nicki Morena, Abunda became emotional when Morena revealed she was a product of that school, prompting him to ponder deeply.
“Sabi ko, what is she trying to tell me? Naging emosyonal ako. Kasi I never spoke about it. Na there was a school, an elementary school named after my father.”
Meanwhile, his special, ‘My Mother, My Story,’ promises to explore such intimate and powerful narratives, reflecting the complexities of family relationships and the unspoken truths that shape them. Directed by Romel Gacho, the show will air every second Sunday of the month at 3:15 p.m. exclusively on GMA Network.
