Boy Abunda

Boy Abunda, the “King of Talk” is back in a new political show called “The Bottomline.” In the show, there are no limits, no palpable boundaries to his conversations, and always he’ll go for “The Bottomline.”

Very excited about the show, Boy said “‘Bottomline’ is a hybrid production. It is produced by the best people from the Current Affairs and Entertainment Departments of ABS-CBN. It is a show I’d like to grow old with.”

Much like “Private Conversations,” Boy added that guests will range from social scientists, philosophers, commentarists, spiritual leaders to political figures – people he cannot do on the “The Buzz” and “SNN.”

“Interviewing is my core as a host. Everyone has a story. It is in how you tell a story. In an interview, whether riveting or dismal, I always take full responsibility.”

The weeks leading to the premiere of “The Bottomline” on Saturday, Nov. 28, Boy watched the new and old works of the masters – Barbara Walters, Larry King, Oprah Winfrey, Christiane Amanpour, Diane Sawyer, Wolf Blitzer, among others. “I intently watch how they phrase questions, how they listen, how they judiciously interrupt unstoppable guests, how they deliciously relish verbal calisthenics. They are superb teachers.”

He also said “when I do my interviews, I have no agenda, but I crave to go to the bottom of things. Yes, I do my research and I have a set questions. What I actually have is a game plan which is always open and flexible. It is a plan that is cognizant of the fact that you are talking to someone who is verbose or the quiet type so it’s up to you – not them – to steer the conversation. It’s a verbal calisthenics of words and silences.”

Boy is expected to ask his guest every imaginable question. “When I am on air, I am an interviewer first. The responsibility of the interviewer is his public so that the public will have a more enlightened view. And there are no stupid guests only stupid interviewers.”

In coming up with “Bottomline,” production manager Vince Rodriguez said that the central concept of the show is Boy Abunda. “He is really the central figure.”

“Bottomline” premieres on Saturday after “Banana Split.” Executive producer is Apples Dela Vega, Louie Andrada, business unit head; Pinggoy Generoso, director; Pear Clemente, head writer; Oxy del Rosario, associate producer; MJ Felipe and Nan Borromeo, writers; Anne Miraballes, researcher; Tess Cahinhinan, production assistant; Tess Magano talent coordinator; and Stephen Cruz, floor director.

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Nanay Curing’s story told on ‘MMK’ Saturday night

The story of Nanay Curing Villar, mother of Sen. Manny Villar, is being featured on ABS-CBN’s top-rating drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)” for two Saturdays. The show is hosted by Ms. Charo Santos-Concio. Nanay Curing, who is grateful to ABS-CBN for featuring her story, is played by her favorite award-winning actress, Gina Pareño.

Last week (Nov. 21), young actress Empress Schuck portrayed the young Nanay Curing. The first part depicted her struggle as a simple high school student whose only ambition was to finish college and become a teacher during World War II. Curing is crushed when her parents asked her to stop schooling three months before her graduation because they had no money. Hoping for a better life, she decided to go to Manila with some of her townsfolk to search for opportunities for a better life.

The young Curing resorted to her sipag at tiyaga to achieve her goal of attaining success. She became a fish and shrimp vendor, a viajera, a laundry girl, and a dressmaker to make both ends meet.

On Saturday, Nov 28, the second part of Nanay Curing’s MMK life story will be shown at 8 p.m. Pareño’s co-stars include Cherry Pie Picache and Carlos Morales.

Born in Orani, Bataan, Nanay Curing’s father was a fisherman and worked as a carpenter when he got to Manila. Her mother Matea, was a dressmaker.

“Marami akong hirap na dinaanan. Bata pa lang ako, nasunog ang aming bahay sa Bataan. Marami rin akong trabahong pinasok para lang mabuhay hanggang nagtinda ako ng isda at hipon sa Divisoria noong ako ay mayroon nang pamilya,” Nanay Curing humbly explained.

At the age of 82, Nanay Curing is partly blind because of old age and due to glaucoma. But still, the old Villar matriarch continues to attend to her grocery store at Las Piñas with the assistance of some helpers.

“Magpahinga na raw ako sabi ng mga anak ko. Hindi ko sila sinusunod. Nagtitinda pa rin ako hanggang ngayon. ‘Di kasi ako sanay na walang ginagawa. Sa totoo lang, ako at hindi ang anak kong si Manny ang orihinal na Sipag at Tiyaga,” Nanay Curing added.

In 2005, as a tribute to Nanay Curing’s tremendous sipag at tiyaga trademark, she was given a “Nanay Negosyante” award by Working Mom Magazine. Aside from MMK, Nanay Curing also appeared in TV ads with his son, Senator Villar during the 2007 elections.

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Urbandub launches ‘The Apparition’

At the forefront of the Southern sound, Urbandub is a band with a record surpassing most bands that have come out of the Queen City of Cebu. on Saturday (Nov. 28), the band launches their undoubtedly mind-blowing album “The Apparition” under MCA Music which helped the band spearhead a kind of gimmick certified Dubistas can enjoy.

Limited Deluxe Edition copies containing a bonus track called “Home” will be released at a “secret” venue. True Blue Dubistas can prove their allegiance by tracking down and hunting for that venue, dubbed as “The Road To The Apparition.”

Since Nov. 21, Urbandub has been giving out daily clues in their online accounts (facebook, yahoogroups, myspace, etc.) to unravel the mystery behind the venue for the launch.

Be the first to tweet where Urbandub’s album launch is and get a special package, exclusive premium items and freebies.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 28 go to Tessie Araneta Macasaet, Elizabeth Sanvictores y Lovely, Teresa Tunay, Jaycee Dacuycuy, US-based Vina Trinidad, Bea Bermundo, Becky Florendo, Charisse Medel, Joji Pascual of J. Pascual Brokerage and president head servant of Missionaries of Mary, Ms. Mila Lim, Alfonso Singson and actor Joross Gamboa.