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The King of Talk is back in his roots as Boy Abunda returns to GMA 7 and reveals why he chose to return to the network after two decades.

In an interview with Jessica Soho on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on November 18, he admitted that it was during the pandemic when he was not working anymore that the process of moving back to GMA started, saying that he needed to go back to television.

“For over 20 years, I was entrenched in the brand [of the other network]. But we move on. Parati kong sinasabi, bakit ako nagbabalik? Because I need to work on television,” he said.

He added that it will not be a “walk in the park” to suddenly work in the rival of his former network after 20 years but that he was led back home “in ways that sometimes, you don't understand. In ways that you don't plan, in ways na ikaw mismo nasusupresa.”

Boy said that he did ask for permission to move networks and that he was stopped from doing so at first.

“Pinigilan ako. Pero kaming lahat, naga-agree kami na wala naman akong pupuntahan na,” he added.

He also said that while he has a YouTube channel, he is not a digital native and he's not comfortable with digital media.

“Hindi ako magkukunwari na ako'y kumportable. Hindi katulad ng telebisyon na alam natin kung saan ang camera natin, ang galaw, ika nga,” he said.

He added, “Ayoko mawala yung passion ko sa pagi-interview kaya inaral ko yung YouTube, pero hindi pa rin ako marunong mag-post.”

He also expressed his surprise with the changed “rhythm” of newscasting, saying that “everybody has become a newscaster.”

“Lahat tayo, naging mga storytellers pero iba't-ibang klase,” he added.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Boy talked about how he started in the showbiz industry when he worked at a theater as a production assistant until he moved up the ladder and became the stage manager.

He also headed the Public Relations office of the Metropolitan Theater and did PR jobs for the “biggest names of the music industry” until he joined GMA 7 where Bobby Barreiro, one of the network's then executives, suggested that he try for television.

“I don't say no,” he added, which started his career as a talk show host.

He admitted, however, that it was not in his plans to become famous as his nanay wanted him to become an accountant, while his tatay wanted him to become a lawyer.

“I didn't know there was such a job as a talk show host. It was not in my dreams,” he added.

The King of Talk, however, said that he's happy that he was able to give his family the best life he could possibly give.

On December 15, Boy was welcomed back to GMA where he signed his contract with the network. He thanked everyone from the network for their trust and for the warm welcome he received.

“I will commit to working hard, to doing the best I can, to be able to deliver the best entertainment, the best interviews, the best shows that I am going to do for GMA-7. Salamat,” he added.

Aside from the executives, other celebrities and former co-workers welcomed him as a Kapuso.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF BOY ABUNDA'S HOMECOMING: