Seasoned television host Boy Abunda opens up about his late mother, Lesing Abunda, who passed away in 2019, and his wish to have had a deeper conversation about his sexuality.
Abunda, known as the “King of Talk,” shared that he cherished every conversation with his mom, who he described as funny, strong, and kind. Despite their closeness, Abunda revealed a lingering regret. He never had a full conversation with his mother about being gay. Though he felt she knew and accepted him, he wished he had explained the joys and challenges of being a gay man.
“Every moment, every conversation I had with her was like a celebration,” Abunda tells Manila Standard Entertainment. “I would have explained to Nanay what it is to be gay. I would have explained the history of the LGBT movement. But she didn’t ask me, I wish I was able to tell her about that.”
“But I knew she knew. She loved Bong like her own son,” referring to his partner Bong Quintana. “When I look back, I wish I could have explained certain things to Nanay because there were many challenges that I was facing.”
His mom was a former teacher and had they talked about this topic, Abunda knew she would ask her many questions, especially the hard-to-answer ones.
“She would ask a lot of questions, she would ask the hardest questions like ‘How would I reconcile my being gay and being Catholic?’ And I would have loved to explain that to Nanay. But she didn’t ask me, I wish we had a chance to talk about that,” Tito Boy says.
as the inspiration behind the show
Despite this unfulfilled conversation, Abunda cherishes the love and support his mother always provided.
This personal experience inspired Abunda’s new talk series, My Mother, My Story. Premiering on Mother’s Day, May 12, the show delves into the powerful bond between celebrities and their mothers.
Through these heartfelt stories, Abunda hopes to remind viewers that love is unconditional. He emphasizes the importance of genuine connection, encouraging viewers to go beyond texting and celebrate the depth of a mother’s love.
The limited series will air every second Sunday of the month until October. The first episode features Luis Manzano reflecting on his life with his mother, Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos.
Abunda promises viewers a deeply personal journey. Celebrities will share how their mothers shaped them, from childhood experiences to navigating life’s challenges.
The show’s host feels strongly about the project. “This is about us and our mothers,” he says. “We can all relate because we are all children.”
Abunda acknowledges the profound impact his mother had on him. “Until now, I have confidence because of my mother,” he shares. “Her unwavering support instilled a deep sense of self-belief.”
“With My Mother, My Story, I want the audience to understand that love is holistic. Through the stories of celebrities, if there are things that cannot be changed, it’s love. Life and love with our parents should not begin and end with technology. Love is not sent through text messages. A mother’s love is the strongest and purest love there is. It is endless and will never change no matter what happens,” Tito Boy explains.
My Mother, My Story — under the helm of Rommel Gacho — premieres tomorrow at 3:15 p.m. on GMA Network.
