Boy Abunda loves his books to the bone.

When you are an entertainment and public affairs show host, you are expected to talk. A lot. But when you are the multi-awarded, highly acclaimed, legendary “King of Talk,” like Abunda is, there must be something in the many things you utter that speaks brilliance, wisdom, and proficiency.  

So if you have ever wondered how he always sounds so terrifically well-versed, the Waray host’s insatiable appetite for literature might provide some clarity.

“Kaibigan ko ang libro eh,” said Abunda in an interview with GMA Regional TV News.

In fact, Abunda’s profound love of books allows him to read seven books - all at the same time. 

“Sabay-sabay ako magbasa ng libro, halimbawa ngayon, I am doing ‘Mariah Carey’ in one corner of my house, and then I have ‘Political Theory’ sa isang kanto. And then I am rereading ‘Her,’ the book of Meryl Streep. Tapos meron akong dissertation na ginawang libro on the wealthy people of the Philippines, and many others,” enumerated the Borongan, Samar native. 

“Pito. Sabay-sabay,” he shared joyfully. “Why do I do that? Because pag na-bore ako sa isa, lumilipat ako sa isa,” he explained further.

After all, it is common knowledge that the multidisciplinary art of talking goes hand in hand with a ton of reading and listening. For Abunda, he makes sure he’s able to converse with his books, as is reflected through his purposeful scribbles on his materials’ pages.

“When I read my books, sumusulat ako… There is a book I am reading now by Paul Arden which I think is my bible in terms of advertising and marketing - nagsusulat ako, kung may sinabi siyang bagay, ‘I agree because.. kasi dito sa Pilipinas ganito…’ So when you go to my books, I remember my notes and how I reacted to a particular paragraph when I was reading it,” shared the Waray host.

Abunda, himself an author of three books, is a self-confessed bibliophile, and so getting title recommendations from the King of Talk probably is a good idea.

His recommended material for someone who has just started out in this world: “It’s Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be” by famous author and advertising director Paul Arden.

Asked what book he would bring to the beach, Abunda’s immediate answer was “I Know Where The Caged Bird Sings,” by American memoirist and civil rights advocate Maya Angelou.

Boy Abunda is an avid consumer of knowledge. Among the many hats he wears as a legendary host and icon in the entertainment industry, he is foremost an artist and a communicator. 

His ardent passion for books makes it easier to imagine how Abunda keeps his repository of wisdom abundant all the time.