Who Are You When No One’s Watching?

I’ve been switching everything up lately in terms of reaching my audience. It’s been a couple of months since I started posting on my Facebook page motivational quotes, pictures of happy memories and sharing videos of encouraging words via Spoken Mula sa Puso.

Then it was in August when I launched the Boy Abunda Talk Channel, a.k.a. Batalk channel, on YouTube, where I upload videos of my conversations with celebrities as well as personalities outside showbiz, my analysis/commentary on various issues, my travels, my mirror collection and some of my weekend activities like my visit to my farm in Batangas.

Part of making my special day last Oct. 29 even more special was the launch of my podcast called Who Are You When No One’s Watching? Three episodes were released simultaneously on Spotify, Apple podcast and other streaming platforms. Presidential Spokesperson lawyer Harry Roque and Angel Locsin were guests. And then three weeks after, new episodes will roll out every Thursday night.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

The title of my podcast, Who Are You When No One’s Watching? is another way of saying, “Sino ka ba talaga?” So, it’s really interesting to find out how each guest will actually answer that question. It may sound easy but it is a very difficult question to answer and it’s very telling as to the state of mind of the guest, as to the playfulness of the guest and as to the sobriety or seriousness of the guest.

Curious minds may be wondering if the show has an intention of unmasking the guests. I can say that it will be in a good way and it will depend on how the guests will reveal more about themselves. I can only promise interesting, relaxed and fun conversations. I will not lie to my listeners. I will not give false promises to them. I will simply ask questions and at the end of every episode, share my thoughts and feelings.

Some would even think that this will be a no-holds-barred kind of interview and that I may go beyond the “sex and chocolates” thing but I don’t wanna promise anything. When you sit in front of an interviewee, you don’t really know the questions you’re gonna ask and how are you gonna ask them until you are there.

I don’t sit in front of my guests to prove that I can ask difficult questions, probing questions or dangerous questions. I sit down because I want to build a conversation. We listen to each other. There are moments when you know that they are ready, you know that they are open to go into the topic of sex and chocolates. The no-holds-barred kind can happen but I don’t want it to be a promise. Every person has a different personality. There are indicators that tell you that your interviewee is only up to a certain point. I am very sensitive to the moment.

What’s exciting about doing the podcast is that journey to the unknown. It’s beautiful to embrace something new and uncertain because in that space, magic happens.

Marc Noveloso is my creative director who helps me in creating content for the podcast. Marc and I have been working together since 2008 in ABS-CBN shows until the final episode of Tonight With Boy Abunda. Our partner Podcast Network Asia is in-charge of technical aspects of the production. Its young and energetic team handles the recording, editing and visual branding for online promotion and marketing.

The author during his new podcast

There were some preparations before we started working on the pilot episode. I assessed the proper distance of the mic and learned voice modulation. Unlike in a TV show where I already know what to do after the director’s cue, there is so much unknown territory in this field. But it is also so familiar because you are doing the same thing, you are talking and people are eavesdropping.

Expect an exciting line-up of interesting, intelligent and articulate guests in the coming episodes like Bro. Bo Sanchez, Kakie Pangilinan, directors Jun Lana and Perci Intalan, Mariel Rodriguez, Toni Gonzaga and Bianca Gonzalez. There is also one or two episodes about my life lessons, perhaps even an interview with myself.

Yes, I am embracing the digital world, warts, trolls, followers, friends and all. If I survive it, fine. If it gets toxic, I’ll go to my farm and plant trees.