Boy Abunda recalls fond memories with Nanay Lesing

MANILA, Philippines — Coinciding with the celebration of Mother’s Day is the airing of the pilot episode of GMA 7’s newest program titled “My Mother, My Story,” today at 3:15 p.m., hosted by Boy Abunda.

The limited series will see the King of Talk engaging in interesting conversations with celebrities who share their life stories as woven through their relationships with their beloved mothers.

“It’s a story of a mother through the lens of a child, and there is that intersection in the middle, and almost always that is bound by love and respect. That’s narrative art. Doon ka huhugot,” said Abunda in a recent media gathering.

“It’s not an interview na parang this is going to be an investigative interview, no. It’s more relaxed and very emotional. It’s a trying to get to know more the person, the celebrity, sa pamamaraan kung paano ang kanyang relasyon, kung paano siya pinalaki, or paano niya pinalaki ang kanyang magulang, ang kanyang nanay,” he added.

The show premiere has Luis Manzano reminiscing about his growing-up years and best moments with mom, Vilma Santos-Recto. According to Abunda, Luis shared “surprising” details about his mom, clueless that she was listening in the adjacent room to where the interview was being held. “He said that his mom is a hypochondriac, so imagine how she felt especially during the pandemic. So, whenever they would check their temperatures, sila ni Ryan Christian (Luis’ younger brother), like for example 37 degrees, sasabihin nila sa mom nila 36.5 lang for her not to worry.”

They will also share stories of how they were able to surpass life’s challenges together.

“It’s very personal to me — the emotional and revealing conversations with celebrities about their relationships with their mothers. Ibabahagi nila kung paano sila pinalaki ng kanilang magulang, paano tinaguyod, paano nasaktan, paano naging masaya sa buhay, paanong tinuruan magmahal at paanong hindi natuto magmahal. Pag-uusapan naming lahat ng mahahalagang karanasan na humubog sa kanilang pagkatao,” declared Abunda who also conceptualized “My Mother, My Story” under director Rommel Gacho.

Abunda revealed that he has been personally talking to celebrities whom he wishes to guest on the show which will air every second Sunday of the month.

“We’re working on Andi Eigenmann. She has agreed to do it. So, we are sorting out some details if we can go to Siargao or if we do it here (Manila). But we would like to do that story.”

He, too, spoke to Cornerstone Entertainment top honcho Erickson Raymundo for a possible guesting of Julia Montes. Once given the green light, Abunda is certain that it would be a compelling story.

“And we’re working on Jillian Ward. We are in the middle of a conversation. Anim ito kaya nakabukas lang once a month.

Abunda revealed that he would also love Kris Aquino’s son and his godchild Bimby to guest on the show. “But I am very sensitive to the condition of Kris. Hindi ko lang alam… but I will be in touch one of these days. Kung meron akong finale episode, I’d love to be able to talk with my inaanak.”

Known for having a soft spot for mothers, thanks to his own relationship with his late mom Licerna Abunda, whom he called Nanay Lesing, the veteran TV host readily shared some fond and favorite memories with his mom, who passed on five years ago, and the topic which he fell short of talking about when she was still around.

He recounted how Nanay Lesing taught him to be confident in everything he does.

“Hanggang ngayon ang lakas ng loob ko dahil sa nanay ko. When I was young, every time I would join an amateur singing contest or declamation contest, she would say before the start of the contest, ‘You are my winner.’ Paano naman ako matatalo eh para sa nanay ko ako ang panalo,” mused Abunda.

He, likewise, grew up a “problem solver” because of Nanay Lesing. Abunda recounted how his mom was able to figure out how to pay for their house, which was on a bank mortgage after his father passed away. For many, borrowing money from friends or relatives is the most convenient way to prevent loan default. But Abunda learned to work hard to avoid a financial crisis.

Abunda couldn’t help laughing when he recalled how his mom would cut out photos of sexy girls and change the heads with her pictures.

“Meron rin ‘yan na kuwento paulit ulit lang tungkol sa mayaman at mahirap na kakain sa restaurant. Ginagaya ng mahirap yung order ng mayaman hanggang sa humingi ng toothpick yung mayaman ginaya rin ng mahirap,” he offered.

Asked if there was anything that he would have wanted to discuss with his mom but never happened, Abunda replied that he failed to tell his mom that he is a gay man.

“Hindi namin napag-uusapan ng Nanay yung journey ko as a gay man. But I knew she knew it. She loved Bong like her own son.

“I would have explained to Nanay what it is to be gay and how challenging it is. I would have explained to her ang kasaysayan ng LGBT movement.

“Meron lang siyang sinabi sa akin na alagaan si Bong. Light lang ang pagkasabi niya, mag-alagaan kayo. She had more conversations with Bong. Nagtatawanan sila, nagkwekwentuhan sila. May tiwala siya kay Bong kapag umuuwi kami ng Samar because Bong was a flight steward. Minsan nga nagseselos ako.

“I would love to talk to Nanay about being gay. Gusto ko sanang ipaliwanag sa kanya kung bakit hindi kami p’wedeng ikasal. Gusto ko rin ipaliwanag sa kanya kung bakit ganito na lang ang nangyari.”

Abunda is certain that his mom would ask many questions like how would he reconcile his being gay with the Catholic Church.

His respect for his mom reflected in how he dealt with her during their discussions. “Naaalala ko noon si Nanay in our disagreements like political na kapag alam ko na galit na siya, hindi na ko sumasagot. Kapag may emotions na ang Nanay, I shut up.”

If only Abunda could celebrate Mother’s Day with Nanay Lesing, surely there would be lots of conversations.

“Ang Nanay gusto niya nakikipag-usap. Ang gusto niya nakikipagkuwentuhan, nakikipagtawanan, nakikipag-debate.

“So, siguro nasa bahay lang kami. Magluluto kami ng Waray na pagkain, kurukod ang tawag sa amin. To Nanay, ang selebrasyon ay kuwentuhan, pag-uusap,” he said.