Boy Abunda releases first book in a trilogy

Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, launched his latest book titled “It’s Like This” last Sunday at the Shangri-La. This is the first of the trilogy that he is doing in cooperation with ABS-CBN Publishing.

The host of “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” and “Tonight with Boy Abunda” said writing “It’s Like This” was not planned. He was writing a book on talent management and then he found himself doing this book of quotations which he says tells about his life and valuable lessons he learned as he worked his way to the top.

“When we started writing ‘It’s Like This,’ I was busy so somehow I had this feeling that we might not be able to finish it. But a lot of people helped me finish it. There were times I just kept on revising. Thank you, Lord we were able to finish it,” he said.

One of the most daunting parts of writing a book, according to Kuya Boy, is to decide which to include and which should be edited out. Featured in the book are 137 quotes about life lessons, among other topics.

“I am glad I did ‘It’s Like This.’ Magaan lang ang material. This is my whole story. I don’t think you can write your whole story in a book. Pero kahit paano, nariyan ang maraming kwento tungkol sa aking buhay. I would also like to thank The Philippine Star (Sir Miguel Belmonte and Ricky Lo) for giving me the permission to use the stories I wrote early on in my column Direct Line.”

While he is not comfortable having his own social media account, Kuya Boy says he is social media savvy. He knows its history and how it operates. He studied it. In his office, they have a definition of what makes news viral.

“I am not comfortable sharing things about myself – where I am, what I wear on social media. But I read bloggers. I may not know their names because there are many of them. I am fascinated in the power of social media to do good, to change, and touch people’s lives,” he added.

His social media fascination prodded Kuya Boy to put up MABAHO (Movement Againsts Bashing and Hating Online). “I am working with young people. I coined the name. It is catchy. It smells good pero kabaligtaran. We are in the process of setting it up. This group has to have organizational structure. How are we going do it? Where do we start? What kind of help do we need? Who are the people we need to talk too? These are important factors to consider.”

At this point in his life, God has blessed him so much and he reciprocates the blessings by working hard.

“If I am able to touch lives through this book, even just one or two, I am already happy,” said Kuya Boy.

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Ima Castro is no stranger to musical theater as she boasts of having played the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.

But she considers doing the role of Mrs. Cruz in “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” as hard, if not harder, than playing Kim.

“The process in doing the play entails hard work,” said Ima in an interview with the supporting cast of “Maynila” last week at Barbara’s Restaurant in Intramuros.

“The workshop of Douglas Nierras (Powerdance) is tough. Then we have Joel Lamangan as our director. Plus the music done by Von de Guzman is really good. The songs are very beautiful. You should really study your role well. Ang ganda ng music pero mahirap kasi madetalye talaga. Kailangan pag-aralan mo ang role mo. Hindi yung darating ka sa rehearsal tapos maghintay ka na lang kung ano ang ituturo. Kasi kung hindi ka prepared, maiiwan ka,” Ima related.

She said that things she learned while doing Miss Saigon came very handy in doing her role as Mrs. Cruz. “I am not that young anymore. Mabagal na ang paa kaya kailangan aalayan nila kami ni Tita Dulce (who alternates with her), lalo na sa choreography. Kailangan makasabay kami sa young members ng cast. So dapat parang dancer na rin ako ng Powerdance,” said Ima.

“I am very lucky na nakasali ako sa musical na ito kasi ibang level talaga ito. This is going to be a big thing in the theater scene. I am excited for the people to see this kasi talagang pinaghirapan namin ito,” she said.

“Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” will have its gala at the Kia Theatre tonight.