USC's Tingog defends 'Honorary Member' Abunda

CEBU, Philippines - The Tingog Carolinian Party of the University of San Carlos has come to the defense of embattled TV Host Boy Abunda, in relation to the plans of presumptive President-elect Noynoy Aquino to appoint him as Secretary of Tourism. Abunda has been criticized by some tourism industry players as unfit for the job for being a “mere entertainer,” while some have hit him for his sexual orientation.

Abunda is an honorary member of Tingog, a campus political party in USC that has produced notable leaders in government and business. For being an honorary member, Abunda has had given leadership talks to its student members and graced some of their activities. Other honorary Tingog members are Piolo Pascual, Raki Vega and Bianca Gonzalez. 

In a party meeting last Saturday, the leaders of Tingog have spoken out in support of Abunda.

“We admire Tito Boy’s judiciousness and prudence in declining the offer, but even if he decided to accept, he would surely do a good job, with his education, extensive background in media and marketing, and unparalleled influence; but since he’s already declined, we don’t understand what other people are still fussing about,” said Edward Co, former Student Council President.

“He has been very generous to the party, sharing his time and talent to help train young Cebuano leaders, pro-bono; this proves he has the heart for service, something very rarely seen in our government leaders,” added Cassandra Teves, current SSC President.

Baudric Gothong, another Tingog leader and former president of the Philippine Junior Jaycees-USC Chapter also defended Abunda saying “those criticizing him don’t know him like we do; all they see is the showbiz side of him. But he has brilliant, out-of-the-box ideas that can be very strategic if used for the promotion of the tourism industry. In fact, being showbiz is a plus, it means he’s very well acquainted with the media—we need a tourism official who is media savvy. Now those who criticize him for his sexual orientation are just flaunting their ignorance.”

Mike Lopez, a Tingog alumnus and a bottomliner in Abunda’s news and public affairs show “The Bottomline” stressed that there’s nothing wrong with being considered for the tourism portfolio, and that, compared to other showbiz personalities in politics, he has been educated in the Ateneo de Manila University, and is currently completing two master’s degrees, one in media and communications, another in international relations and diplomacy.

Lopez, former National Youth Commissioner at Large and now MTRCB board member, said that even the most powerful political personalities “like PGMA and a former tourism secretary” are known to regularly consult Abunda on PR and communications-related matters. He pointed out Abunda’s track-record in managing the most successful stars and conceptualizing the highest-rated TV shows as proof that he is an excellent manager and very much in touch with the language of media, and “that much about the promotion of the tourism sector is exactly about that.”