"I did not express, I did not indicate, and I did not imply that brilliance is an excuse to abuse anyone," says Boy Abunda about his The Buzz interview with Baron Geisler last January 23.
This is a just a part of his reaction to the sentiments of Ed Instrella, Cherry Pie Picache's manager, on the way the segment of the 29-year-old actor accused of harassment was handled by the Kapamilya talk show.
It's not typical of the famous host to offer a lengthy explanation about a controversy involving himself. "Hindi naman ako pala-react kasi," he begins. "It's as if I defended my article when I defend my body of work. Parang ang hirap-hirap ipagtanggol ang sarili mong trabaho."
But his 17-year stint as a showbiz talk show has taught him two things: (1) His statements can affect people. (2) His statements can have varying effects on different people.
In this case, he asked the permission of Roxy Liquigan, creative consultant of The Buzz: "Let me react."
That's after learning about the article posted in PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last January 24.
One of the arguments raised by Ed Instrella was, "Boy emphasized and underlined he's [Baron] such a good actor. Parang justified maging bastos in the name of good acting."
Boy affirms during his 30-minute interview with PEP at 2:00 p.m. today, January 25, "I said that he was brilliant. But what was the context? [Baron says] 'Tito Boy, I'm going to be on rehab for 90 days.' I said, 'Baron...'
"There were two things that I said. Buti na lang naaalala ko kasi fresh pa. 'Baron, you are a brilliant actor. You will always have space in the industry.'
"But, in no way did I suggest that brilliance is an excuse to harass anyone. It was in that context. Sinabi ko pa sa kanya, exact word ko, "You know, Baron, you are lucky. You are lucky because the industry has been good to you in spite of all your cases. You have jobs. You have good jobs. You have been given jobs and work."
Instead of focusing on the harassment issue alone, the management of The Buzz decided to do a profiling of the interviewee.
In a phone interview with Liquigan at around 6:43 p.m., he says, "We want to make it different from the other shows, so ang topic namin aside from the issue, 'Why is he like that?'"
The major talk points were discussed by the bosses and the host prior to the 40-minute exclusive interview.
But on-cam, the flow depended on the questions asked by the interviewer and the answers of the interviewee.
Boy elaborates, "I had no script. It was an interview where there were no guidelines. We play politics in this business to be able to get stories. Not with Baron Geisler. I was assigned to do that interview. I did my little research. I prepared for that interview.
"You know how I started that interview? 'Baron, hindi ko alam kung saan ako mag-uumpisa, ni hindi ko alam kung anong una kong itatanong sa iyo. Dito na lang tayo magsimula, what do you wanna say? What is in your mind and heart? Tell me.' Dun ko pinaikot."
For his part, Baron came prepared. "He came ready. Naka-Amerikana, malinis, may kurbata. Sober na sober ang appearance. And he knew his lines," according to the host/ talent manager/ teacher.
Only 19 minutes and 47 seconds of the entire footage was aired. Liquigan says during the material's preview, they made sure the essence of the whole story was captured.
Boy admits he was not able to see the final tape, but he is pleased with what he saw during the actual show.
His explanation: "What came out on air is an editorial decision. Pero, hindi ko iiwanan ang show ko because I watch what came out. I take full responsibility for it pa rin. I'm not to say, 'Ay, sisihin mo ang staff ko.' Hindi. I stand by what the staff had done, and I don't think I deliberately—because we are in the context of perception—made Baron Geisler guwapo for what...
"The 40-minute conversation was wonderful to write. There were moments we agreed. There were moments we disagreed. There were moments I thought he was mad at me. There were moments I was disagreeing. There were moments I was compassionate. There were moments I was feeling for a boy who wanted to do something but was not akin of what he wanted to do. I saw the anger. I saw a lot."
Source: www.pep.ph
