People say that behind a man’s success is a woman. While for some that woman is their wife, for others, it is their mother.

King of Talk Boy Abunda is one of those individuals who attribute much of what they are now to the light of the house, who, no matter how they differ in raising their children, harmonize with the same perpetually loving heart.

Boy described his “nanay” (as he fondly calls her) as “very nurturing, tough, can be noisy, quiet, stern, very loving, very generous, very…she‘s a father, mother, brother and sister all rolled into one---and more! She’s 80 years old but still funny. I draw a lot of strength from her.”

Growing up, Boy revealed that Nanay Lesing never wanted them to feel that they were then grappling to live within their means.

“Alam mo ang Nanay, ayaw sinasabi na hirap ang pinagdaanan namin. Ayaw niya, hindi dahil gusto niyang ikaila o ikinahihiya niya ito, kundi kasi walang bagay na hindi niya ginawa para makakain kami…para bumababa ang lagnat namin…para magkalaman ang tiyan namin,” he shared.

He also beamed that her “special talent” is her strong, protective spirit for him and his siblings; a trait which he believes Manny Pacquiao’s celebrated mom, Dionisia, embodies as well.

“Lahat ginawa nilang pareho para maibigay ang lahat sa mga anak nila. She’ll [Dionisia] do everything for her son, she’s very protective. Kahit na tinitingala na si Manny ng mundo, iba pa din ang nurture ng ina.

“Like ‘yung kapag iniintriga si Manny, my heart melts when she defends him. Because every mother will do the same, should do the same,” he emphasized.

Mommy D’s devotion to Manny, particularly during his fights, is also something Boy deems laudable.

“Hindi rin biro sa isang ina ‘yung nakikipagsuntukan sa isang ring ang anak niya habang siya naman ay nasa isang kwarto kaharap ang mga santo, nagdarasal na iligtas ang anak niya sa kapahamakan,” he said.

“I-visualize mo: Isang anak, nakikipaglaban sa isang ring while ang nanay niya, ipinagdarasal siya. Isn’t that a great image?”

He and Nanay Lesing also share a “great image,” both figuratively and literally, with their new endorsement of the photo studio, Great Image.

This is not-so-new on Boy’s part having represented the company in 2004 with their first campaign, “Ilabas mo ang totoo.”

For 2010, Great Image is revamping their previous campaign with “priceless photography,” which will include a series of thematic promotional releases featuring Boy and Nanay Lesing.

“First time akong nagpalitrato for public display na kasama ko ang Nanay, kaya mahalaga at milestone ito para sa akin,” he declared.

Boy believes that love shared within the family is priceless; a thought which emanates from the photo studio’s primary thematic slogan, “Every boy has non-negotiables..”

“We are at the time in our lives when we have to go back to our families. Ang ingay ng mundo, andaming problema, andaming magagandang bagay, Pasko, ngitian at iyakan…pero uuwi pa rin tayo sa pamilya. The campaign emphasizes the importance of family.

“I believe that kahit nasaan tayo makarating, kahit ano ang pag-usapan natin, kahit gano kahirap ang pinagdadaanan ng mundo, at natin sa bahay… kung buo ang pamilya natin, mas madali nating susuungin kahit anong bagay,” he enthused.

So, what is the TV host/talent manager’s most memorable ‘great image’ with his ‘nanay?’

“One of my most treasured pictures is me as a Grade 3 student, getting my ribbon for being first honor,” Boy recalled. “Di mo mababayaran ang kaligayahan ng nanay ko nuong nakatayo siya sa entablado sa isang maliit na bayan habang binibigyan ang anak niya ng ganung karangalan.”

Through time, and amidst society’s stereotypes of beauty, Boy has learned to appreciate his God-created image, large nose and all.

“For the longest time, ayaw ko ng ilong ko. Tingin ko masyadong malaki. Until I’ve come to realize that it’s the only one I’ll ever have so I might as well embrace the fact.”

The “Showbiz News Ngayon” and “The Buzz” host added: “What is beautiful is you. And for you to accept that you’re beautiful takes a lot of respect for who you are without apologies. When you can say that ‘My beauty is my own.’”

Great Images is the country’s reigning photo studio in the country. With 34 branches nationwide, it specializes in professional portraiture, digital imaging and photo and video coverage.