Hailed as the “King of Talk” in Philippine TV, Boy Abunda received standing ovations when he delivered speeches at different venues recently. The first, in Singapore, was attended by 200 of the most in-demand public speakers in Asia and in the world. The second happened at a commencement exercise for the graduating students of AMA.
The Singapore speaking engagement was upon the invitation of Fredrik Haren, one of the leading figures of the Asia Professional Speakers. Abunda delivered his speech with aplomb: He got a rousing 10-minute standing ovation, which he himself did not expect. It was his first time to talk before a gathering of professional public speakers.
Despite his expertise in interviewing and talking before varied audiences, Abunda felt he was not “professional” enough to be called a professional public speaker. The audience reaction surprised him as it did the audience.
Like what he does in all of his engagements, Abunda came prepared with his piece, mentally. He did not have the usual teleprompter common among speakers or a prepared written speech to read before his audience. What he had was, aside from bullet points which served as reminders for him to keep on track, were his heart, his words and his truth.
“At the onset, I told them that I am not a professional speaker. That I am a talk show host, an interviewer but I use the same tools as they do – my words, my heart, my truth.”
They were floored. They were in awe. What could have been more compelling than to tell a story from the heart?
Abunda titled his talk as “The Fab Sermon In Singapore: Don’t Just Be A Speaker, Be A Star”. In it, he pointed out the how and why it is important to be a star speaker. Three of the more important qualities he named were, charisma, x-factor and presence. He also made them realize that nothing lasts forever including fame. But fame can be prolonged though. Quoting Bono, front man of the world-renowned band U2, Abunda said, “Stars have strong sense of occasion. They know they and their audiences are temporary.”
While at the AMA commencement speech he delivered to thousands of graduates, he was the inspiring figure. He provided them with insights on success and failure and how the latter pushed him to be where he is now. He also reminded the graduates to always love their mothers and of how his own mother served as his rock and inspiration.
Indeed, Abunda never fails to amaze his audiences.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 11, go to Sylvia Reynoso-Gala, Baby Monroy, Robert Roque, Eliseo Aurelio, Jr., Maynard Penalosa, Oliver Teves, Bex Vinaviles, Merci Lejarde, Hannah Flores, Herminio Agunias, Karen L. Enriquez, Captain Romeo, Karissa Reyes and Editha C. Nación who will celebrate her 80th birthday at Water Woods Clubhouse in Baliuag, Bulacan…Belated b-day greetings to Jovannie M. Nicdao (July 9)… July 12: Xian Lim, Margo Midwinter, Bro. Bo Sanchez, Don Ado Escudero, Agnes Rustia-Ver, Meelin Raymundo, Trina Kalaw Yujuico, Cathy Garcia Bermundo, Susan Reyes Grau, Dr. Chari Ballecer, PJ Dacuycuy, Sunshine Dacudao, Gene Navea, Jean Sobee Lipa-Cabangon, Julius Enrico Arcaya (of Gumaca), Ma. Naneth Aguilar of Cagayan de Oro City, Chan Chan Torres, Carmen Macapulay-Peralta, Vilma Selga, Sarah Abdullah, Regie Baylon, Dorie Arosa, Thea Lalican, James Floyd and Fr. Jeff Quintella…
https://www.google.com.ph/maps/place/Metro+Manila/@14.6894769,121.1227592,13z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3397c8d26026386d:0x5fed23daac9278d0!8m2!3d14.6090537!4d121.0222565?authuser=1
The Singapore speaking engagement was upon the invitation of Fredrik Haren, one of the leading figures of the Asia Professional Speakers. Abunda delivered his speech with aplomb: He got a rousing 10-minute standing ovation, which he himself did not expect. It was his first time to talk before a gathering of professional public speakers.
Despite his expertise in interviewing and talking before varied audiences, Abunda felt he was not “professional” enough to be called a professional public speaker. The audience reaction surprised him as it did the audience.
Like what he does in all of his engagements, Abunda came prepared with his piece, mentally. He did not have the usual teleprompter common among speakers or a prepared written speech to read before his audience. What he had was, aside from bullet points which served as reminders for him to keep on track, were his heart, his words and his truth.
“At the onset, I told them that I am not a professional speaker. That I am a talk show host, an interviewer but I use the same tools as they do – my words, my heart, my truth.”
They were floored. They were in awe. What could have been more compelling than to tell a story from the heart?
Abunda titled his talk as “The Fab Sermon In Singapore: Don’t Just Be A Speaker, Be A Star”. In it, he pointed out the how and why it is important to be a star speaker. Three of the more important qualities he named were, charisma, x-factor and presence. He also made them realize that nothing lasts forever including fame. But fame can be prolonged though. Quoting Bono, front man of the world-renowned band U2, Abunda said, “Stars have strong sense of occasion. They know they and their audiences are temporary.”
While at the AMA commencement speech he delivered to thousands of graduates, he was the inspiring figure. He provided them with insights on success and failure and how the latter pushed him to be where he is now. He also reminded the graduates to always love their mothers and of how his own mother served as his rock and inspiration.
Indeed, Abunda never fails to amaze his audiences.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 11, go to Sylvia Reynoso-Gala, Baby Monroy, Robert Roque, Eliseo Aurelio, Jr., Maynard Penalosa, Oliver Teves, Bex Vinaviles, Merci Lejarde, Hannah Flores, Herminio Agunias, Karen L. Enriquez, Captain Romeo, Karissa Reyes and Editha C. Nación who will celebrate her 80th birthday at Water Woods Clubhouse in Baliuag, Bulacan…Belated b-day greetings to Jovannie M. Nicdao (July 9)… July 12: Xian Lim, Margo Midwinter, Bro. Bo Sanchez, Don Ado Escudero, Agnes Rustia-Ver, Meelin Raymundo, Trina Kalaw Yujuico, Cathy Garcia Bermundo, Susan Reyes Grau, Dr. Chari Ballecer, PJ Dacuycuy, Sunshine Dacudao, Gene Navea, Jean Sobee Lipa-Cabangon, Julius Enrico Arcaya (of Gumaca), Ma. Naneth Aguilar of Cagayan de Oro City, Chan Chan Torres, Carmen Macapulay-Peralta, Vilma Selga, Sarah Abdullah, Regie Baylon, Dorie Arosa, Thea Lalican, James Floyd and Fr. Jeff Quintella…
https://www.google.com.ph/maps/place/Metro+Manila/@14.6894769,121.1227592,13z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3397c8d26026386d:0x5fed23daac9278d0!8m2!3d14.6090537!4d121.0222565?authuser=1
