In praise of Bo

Showbiz is inarguably fascinating. You may be dying of hunger, fatigue and sleeplessness but once the cameras start to roll, you smile or cry and as an actor you offer no excuses. In the entertainment business, longevity is the name of the game. Only the fittest lasts. You have to make the right moves and decisions equipped with talent and stamina because the way to stardom is filled with lethal landmines that can mercilessly kill dreams or delusions. You are famous today but no one knows your name tomorrow. Fame is so ephemeral, it can be toxic and certainly not for the faint of heart.

It was not a walk in the park for me when I started in showbiz. I was besieged by an avalanche of challenges — both external and internal. This is the reason why I continue to work hard because I know that I’m just as good as my last interview. But I am deeply grateful when I receive inspiring comments from friends and viewers. And I listen to meaningful criticisms with humility and courage.

I recently received text and e-mail messages for The Bottomline episodes featuring Bo Sanchez and the “Filipino Cinderella of Japan” Abby Watabe which I am printing here en toto:

Bo Sanchez episode (Dec. 20, 2014)

From Fe Arellano: “Hello Boy. Watching Bottomline last night with Bo Sanchez was indeed an inspiring experience. Your style of interview and strategically worded questions leave every viewer a sense of admiration and satisfaction. I will always remember and attribute this line from you — ‘I am a mother to my mother.’ I hope and pray that God will continue to protect you and bless you with good health and good fortune. God is good indeed, Boy. I just had my kidney transplant and my youngest son, Abraham, donated one of his kidneys. Actually, all five of my children wanted to donate one of their kidneys but it was Abraham who was insistent. He says, ‘My mom gave me life and the best gift I can give my mom is to extend her life so she can have more beautiful memories with her family and friends.’ Isn’t he a wonderful son? You remind me of my son, Boy. You are not just a loving son — you are a loving and lovable person.

From Senedy Que: “Hi Kuya Boy. Sen here. Your Bottomline episode tonight with Bo Sanchez was so powerful and an eye-opener, it brought me to tears! Thank you!”

Abby Watabe episode (Dec. 27, 2014)

My Dearest Boy,

Congratulations on presenting a splendid and highly inspirational Filipina in Abby Watabe. I consider your giving me early notice about tonight’s Bottomline guest as your best Birthday and Christmas Gift ever.

Abby is an honest to goodness transparent person who, in the material world that we live in, is pretty rare and special. I saw myself in her early Tokyo days. I went to the same difficulty and sadness. My first few years in Sydney were very uncertain and no different (to Abby’s).

As I go thru perhaps the darkest days of my life now with having to live with clear and present death threats, Abby’s story is a very bright star in my very dark sky, my source of courage, strength and inspiration.

Of equal importance is lifting the Filipino image abroad that of being lazy, unreliable and untrustworthy, this I am trying to do something about in my own small and special way through the Globalfins.com Project.

If I could somehow prove to the world that we are more than entertainers and blue collar workers, that we are capable of introducing an important and significant business innovation in a very biased and stratified world, I will have fulfilled my life’s calling.

I am a more steady and courageous person for catching your show tonight. I cannot thank you enough my dear friend.

Always,

Nick

From Fe Arellano: “Another inspiring episode of Bottomline. Very nice extro spiel for Abby. Another job well done, Boy.”

Looking back at these previous episodes featuring Bo and Abby, their life stories are inspiring. Bo wears several hats — he is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, founder of Light of Jesus Family, preacher, publisher, among others. Bo is known as the Preacher in Blue Jeans. During our conversation, Bo shared that every person has a love tank that needs to be full so he can give love. “Ang parents kasi ibibigay nila ang pag-ibig kung puno rin ang love tank nila. It is a cycle. Kaya importante iyong mga tao na, ‘Uy, wala akong nabibigay na pag-ibig sa anak ko. Let me re-parent myself.’ Receive that love. No. 1 from God, No. 2 from the people around you na pwedeng magbigay ng pag-ibig na iyon. And then you can start loving your children.”

According to Bo, the parent needs to humble himself and adjusts to his children’s language. If love overflows, the child feels that he is loved. He was 13 years old when he first preached. It was about eternal life.

Bo admitted that he went through mid-life crisis and depression for four months when his mother passed away but he successfully rose above it.

Bo once asked the Lord to make him rich so he could help the needy. He said, “The ultimate purpose of wealth is to love.” I asked him what will be written in his epitaph. He answered, “Someone who tried to love.”

On the other hand, I first met Abby last year when I went to Tokyo. Abby’s rags-to-riches story is a fairy tale. She is dubbed as the “Filipino Cinderella in Tokyo.” She was recently in the country with her kids to spend the holidays. Abby shared that she inculcates in her kids the Filipino culture.

Abby came from humble beginnings in Concepcion, Tarlac. She wanted to work in Japan to help her family. She never asked her parents why they were poor but she dreamed of giving them a better life. She believed in the importance of education. “Importante ang edukasyon kasi kahit papaano meron kang pupuntahan. Pag-graduate ka, nakikita mo na ang future mo. May mga choices. Pero kapag hindi ka nakapag-aral, iyong chance mo hindi napakalaki.”

Armed with a dream, she went to Japan in 2005. A Japanese businessman took interest in her when they saw each other inside the elevator. At first, Abby had reservations of the man’s true intention and his supposed wealth. She told him to call her 10 times a day while she was on vacation in the Philippines. He did. Now, Abby and her husband manage 122 branches of Karaoke Khan, 11 Manganet Khan and four Fitness Khan. Abby who is the marketing director of their businesses told me, “Pag nangarap ka, i-claim mo sa Panginoon na ito ay magkakatotoo” and “Kung ano ang meron ako, enough na iyon sa akin.”