MANILA, Philippines – Prominent talk show host and talent manager Boy Abunda has a new job totally different from his high-profile career.

Every other Wednesday, he turns into Professor Boy, teaching Radio and Television Practices and Principles to senior Communications students of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU).

Aware of the stark contrast from his profession, Abunda says he has discovered that teaching is also like preparing for a show where he has to prepare himself well and be able to listen to and communicate effectively with his students, just like how he treats his audience.

IN HIS BLOOD

He may not have dreamt of being a teacher but Abunda now knows that teaching is in his blood, having a mother who has been a public school teacher for 42 years.

He was able to get his first try at teaching not on campus, but in ABS-CBN some 10 years ago. Abunda wrote the first hosting syllabus for the industry and taught it to then up and coming hosts like Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzales and Mariel Rodriguez.

His hosting syllabus was deemed so comprehensive that even the University of the Philippines Los Baños had asked him to give a lecture on their campus.

GIVING BACK

Abunda studied at the Ateneo de Manila University but finished his AB Communication Arts degree at the Philippine Women’s University only a few years ago. Having found the time for school, Abunda went on to take a short course in international relations and diplomacy from the PWU Helen Z. Benitez School of International Relations and Diplomacy. At present, he is working on his thesis for his master’s degree in Communication, also at the PWU. When he finishes, Abunda says he will pursue his doctoral studies.

“The dean asked me to teach here at siyempre ang hirap tumanggi. Hindi naman ito bayad utang but I also want to give back and share my expertise lalo na sa field ko. I’m not collecting salary. This is my way of touching the lives of my students,” he reveals.

TEACHING STYLE

Abunda’s four-hour afternoon classes sometimes extend to one more hour but his students don’t seem to mind. In fact, they don’t even want the class to end.

“He’s a really good professor and the class is really fun. We’re learning a lot from him. Four hours ang class pero ayoko na nga sana matapos eh. He’s not that strict pero parang wala siyang kailangan gawin to gain respect. Automatically, lahat ng tao may respect na sa kanya,” says PWU AB Comm Arts student Karlo Urbano.

When this writer visited Abunda in his class, she saw a student arrive an hour before the class ended. But the teacher did not even call the student’s attention.

“I understand these students who come late because they’re also working. Most of the time I’m also late. In the beginning, the students were a bit fidgety because of who I am. But in the second class, ok na. Nagtatanong, nakikipag debate but very respectful. I will not allow anybody to disrespect me in this class. What’s important is that they participate and make up for their shortcomings, and they really do,” stresses Abunda.

He says he expects his students to participate, to think critically, to be smart and tough, and listen not just to him but to each other.

Abunda’s style of teaching is a combination of conversational and experiential to make learning easier.

“When I’m discussing the history of radio and TV, I would also discuss present practices in the context of that history. If you are a practicing agent of communication, it will be easier for your students to relate to you. I also come to class prepared. I don’t wing my classes. I have teaching modules and plans.”

Abunda is also anecdotal. He doesn’t just teach but also listens to stories of his students, particularly their thoughts, frustrations and expectations of media, radio and TV. He asks even their parents’ impressions.

“It’s getting the pulse of the youth at the same time. But I don’t think there really is a formula for teaching. I don’t think all teachers should follow the same style. But for me I am a communicator, I love my audience. I dance with my audience. I am validated by my audience everyday of my life. The same way with my students, it is important that I know them,” he explains.

Abunda does not have any rules in class. His students can come in late, or even eat in class but they should be prepared. All he asks of them is to participate in class and not be ashamed to speak up.

“I tell them there are no bad and good ideas. Every idea will be welcomed. I even encourage them to open up. On the first day of class, I made them say something about themselves that they’ve always been afraid to say. In one exercise, I encouraged them to critique each other but make sure they will not commit the same mistake they are talking about. Hence, it became vibrant, an exuberant milieu of learning,” he shares.

WILD QUESTIONS

With his first batch of students, Abunda says not one is bound to fail because all are intelligent, participative and aggressive.

“Matalino ang klase na ito. They ask me wild questions like ‘magkano ang suweldo mo?’ They challenge concepts, norms. They respect ideas. They’re intellectually combative,” says Abunda.

His students, on the other hand, feel so lucky having him as their professor, and getting an insider’s access to the industry.

Senior Comm Arts student Khristia Joyce Gacula looks up to Abunda as her idol and a media icon.

“Yung isang theory naiaapply ni sir in local context pa. Kahit global context naiiapply niya pa rin sa local context. He is a big star but still he is very approachable and down-to-earth.”

Another student Almira Suilano says she learned much more from Abunda.

“Ang galing ni sir Boy. Hindi lang subject ang tinuturo niya pati life lessons. Lagi kong naaalala yung mga tinuturo niyang quotes na very applicable sa buhay ko,” Almira says.

More than giving an insider’s access to the industry, Abunda says he explains what makes it what it is to make his students appreciate and respect the people in that industry.

“Tulad ng mga estudyante, ako din ayaw ko matapos ang klase. You have this separation anxiety, parang an attachment. I want them to know everything I know. But you know that you can’t,” he shares.

MAKING THEM BETTER

Abunda may have all the fame and fortune but it is in teaching that he feels that spiritual fulfillment.

“Masaya. It’s a different kind of fulfillment, maybe the same fulfillment that Nanay experienced. It’s intangible. To me, this is also part of nation building.”

Through teaching, Abunda hopes his students will be better people, will have a deeper understanding of media and learn how to contribute in making the industry better.