Amid talks on Kris Aquino’s career decisions, her relationship with Boy Abunda is the same personally and professionally.
In an interview, Boy said they remain close friends and he is still her manager for endorsements.
“I still do her contracts,” Boy said.
He clarified that he doesn’t represent Kris regarding television shows.
“Wala kaming pagbabago na pinaguusapan ni Kris. I continue to represent her endorsements. Will there be problems in the future? I don’t know. Hindi ko alam. Sana wala,” he said.
Following Kris’ return from a two-month vacation in the US, speculations arose that she might be managed by APT and TAPE executive Tony Tuviera following a meeting they had in July.
“Ang masasabi ko ay sila’y nag-usap. I am not privy to many things. How extensive were the discussions, the dialogues, hindi ko alam,” Boy said.
He chose not to comment on the issue as both parties haven’t spoken yet. Kris, who is still on break from her showbiz duties, recently posted on Instagram an appeal for respect regarding her career.
“Ang hindi lang ako makakapag-comment ay dito sa kanyang bagong pinasok na relasyon with Mr. Tony Tuviera. Ako ay nahihiya because walang nagsasalita. Si Kris is not talking, Tony is not talking, and ABS-CBN is also not saying anything. Why would I?” Boy said.
Did Kris ask his blessings?
“Hindi siya nagpaalam, hindi naman kami naghiwalay. ’Yung buong narrative na iyan, ilalabas natin ’pag nagsalita na sila. Nahihiya lang ako, naiilang ako na ako ay mauunang magsalita eh peripheral ako sa kwentong ito.”
Kris is also rumored to be transferring to ABS-CBN’s rival network GMA-7. TAPE is the blocktimer producer of longest-running noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga!” which airs on GMA-7. Her contract with the Kapamilya network ended last March after being their talent for 20 years.
Asked if he and Kris talk to each other as constantly as before, Boy said, “Walang nagbabago. Kami ay nag-uusap pa rin araw-araw about everything and about nothing.”
New talent management
Aside from managing Kris, Boy continues to manage other talents. He will be launching his new talent management Asian Artist Agency in 2017.
“Ginagawa na namin ’yung infrastructure ng organisasyon. Stable ang hanay sa ngayon. Hindi ko din naman maiwanan ang pagma-manage dahil gusto ko siya. Buhay ko iyon. I spend a lot of time managing talents and even during the time when I took a break sa pagma-manage, hindi naman ako huminto kasi I was handling the contracts of Kris, Ai-Ai (delas Alas), Dawn (Zulueta), Gretchen (Barretto), Bianca (Gonzalez), Drew (Arellano), Mariel (Rodriguez), lahat sila,” he said.
Boy also reacted on the issue about celebrities going through drug tests if required.
“Bilang mamamayan, kung ito ay ginagawa sa ibang sektor ng lipunan, madalas nagko-complain tayo kung tayo ay sini-single out, so why would we expect special treatment? So ito’y kinakailangan, bakit hindi gawin?,” Boy said.
He respects Robin Padilla’s appeal to have a dialogue first. However, Boy feels all sectors must be treated equally.
“Ang sa akin ay what is done to one sector should be applicable to all. Naalala niyo kapag sinasabi natin na ‘Bakit ang BIR ang tinitignan lang tayo?’ Nagko-complain tayo bakit sini-single out ang show business. Let’s not impose anything that we cannot impose on ourselves. Kung patas, patas ang laban,” he noted. (KAREN VALEZA)