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WATCH: The moment tearful Boy Abunda composed himself to resume interview

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/11/29/20191129-tearful-boy-abunda.jpg"/><figcaption>Unable to contain his tears, Boy Abunda composes himself to resume an interview aired Thursday on his eponymous talk show. <em>ABS-CBN</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Dubbed the “King of Talk,” Boy Abunda is considered the foremost showbiz interviewer in the Philippines, not only for his rapport with guests but also his professionalism.</p><p>The latter was evident more than ever in the Thursday episode of “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” when the veteran host couldn’t hold his tears on the topic of his mother.</p><p>Abunda was interviewing Toni Gonzaga, who considers him as one of her mentors as a TV host. When Abunda asked Gonzaga to share “one thing that you learned from me,” the latter mentioned Abunda’s relationship with his mother.</p><p>Gonzaga answered: “You’re very grounded to your reason why you are doing all these things that you are doing. You really want to make your Nanay proud. Iyon ang pinakatumatak sa akin — na sa lahat ng gagawin ko, lagi ko dapat iisipin, ‘Magiging proud ba ‘yung nanay ko sa gagawin ko, sa sasabihin ko, sa ipapakita ko sa telebisyon?’”</p><p>“Iyon ang hindi ko makakalimutan sa ‘yo. More than the brilliant interviews that you’ve done — wala na talagang makaka-contest noon — what I really admire about you is your love for your family, for your mom,” she added.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/11/29/20191129-abunda-mother.jpg"/><figcaption>Boy Abunda poses with his mother Lesing. <em>FILE/Courtesy of Boy Abunda</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The topic was clearly a sensitive one for Abunda, who tried but failed to contain his emotions. At one point, he covered his face as he was heard sobbing.</p><p>After mere seconds, however, Abunda paused to compose himself, then briefly explained, “I’m just very sensitive now because of what I’m going through.”</p><p>“Kahit makalimutan na lahat ang aking trabaho, for as long as people remember that I encouraged them to make their parents, to make their mothers proud, I’m okay,” he said.</p><p>Resuming the interview, Abunda said, “Let’s do a job, I mean Nanay would want me to do a job” — then proceeded to ask Gonzaga about her business ventures.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/TonightwithBoyAbunda/videos/2603067829778582" data-width="auto"> </div><p>Throughout his career, Abunda has publicly paid tribute to his mother, Lesing, with the tagline, “Make your Nanay proud,” which he often says at the close of his programs.</p><p>The phrase is also the title of a 2014 book by Abunda, and the name of a foundation, dedicated to mothers, which he founded.</p><p>Lesing, who is turning 91 in January, has been suffering from dementia, Abunda has said in past interviews.</p><p>In an October 2019 episode of his other talk show, “The Bottomline,” Abunda revealed that Lesing had been in the hospital for weeks.</p><p>“She is the center of my life, and I hope she’s not suffering,” he said at the time, sharing that family decisions were being made then regarding medical procedures.</p><p>“I’ll be very honest. I don’t know how I’m going to live my life without the presence of my mother. Pero katulad ng maraming sugal sa buhay ko, susuungin ko,” Abunda said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YOJJTT2JQAs?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>“I’ll be very honest. I don’t know how I’m going to live my life without the presence of my mother.”</p>

“I’ll be very honest. I don’t know how I’m going to live my life without the presence of my mother.”