Boy: Ladlad and beyond

MANILA, Philippines - Boy Abunda revealed that at this point, life in politics is already inevitable.

“I am embracing it totally because it’s either you get into something completely or not at all,” Boy admitted to The STAR following the announcement in a presscon last June 16 that he is the new senior political adviser of Ladlad as it guns for three seats in Congress in 2013 as a party-list group representing the LGBT community. He had also declared that he was eyeing the gubernatorial post in his hometown in Eastern Samar for the 2016 elections.

These developments are part of the growing list of activities he’s doing outside showbiz. He is also ambassador for the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and for the child-centered NGO Plan International. He will soon be formally presented as ambassador of goodwill of the UN Population Fund to help in the AIDS and HIV information dissemination.

“I’m just fortunate because most if not all of the advocacies I am representing are inter-related. These are the causes closest to my heart. With Plan, it is because my mother is a teacher, I came from a public school in a small barrio, and I believe kids from that environment have a future. When it comes to NCCA, it is because I started with theater. In my journey, theater was kindest to me. Ladlad is natural because it’s my life.”

Asked if it’s true that he’s also involved with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Boy said, “I’m only an interested partner from the private sector. I’m a brand specialist so I get invited to speak in forums on tourism. I’ve always studied global tourism, but I don’t have an official function with DOT.”

To recall, reports of last year said he was offered the Tourism secretary post, generating both positive and negative reactions from different sectors. He said, looking back: “It was hard to be defensive at the same time present your folio. I got very affected when I was questioned how I could handle such a job when I was only an entertainer. I was glad though that important people like Dr. Helena Benitez, Manay Ichu Maceda and even (ex-DOT Sec.) Ace Durano said I was qualified. But it would be hypocritical for me not to say I had moments when I thought I’d accept it.”

“(But) hindi pa talaga panahon. I had a contract with ABS-CBN to honor; I was finishing my Master’s degree in International Relations in Public Diplomacy at the Philippine Women’s University. (Now, Boy’s starting his doctorate). And when it comes to decisions, I always listen to myself; I listen to my heart and gut,” he said.

Now, as he makes more room for non-showbiz interests, will sacrifices be made in his very flourishing showbiz career? Yes, Boy admitted he cannot spread himself too thinly. He is expected to make tough career decisions as his ABS-CBN contract is ending this year. “Wala pa akong decisions; I have a lot of things to consider, foremost of which is my nanay. I know I have to spend more time with my mother.”

“(So) I have to review my options very carefully. I am in a job that I passionately love. But I’m also realistic, some things gotta give. I really don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t want to be unfair to my public, to the people who work with me and to the network that has taken care of me,” said Boy who, aside from having the most number of talk shows on ABS-CBN, also runs the PR and talent management firm Backroom.

“This 2011 is the most crucial year in my life as a person and a professional,” he ended.