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Boy Abunda's voice takes on a new melody for LGBTQIA+ advocacy

THE T-ZONE

When does a celebrated TV host, whose familiar and trusted voice resonates across households nationwide, feel compelled to turn to music to amplify a message and strengthen an all-too-important plea to the public? For the Philippines' King of Talk, Boy Abunda, it is when he continues to witness discrimination and injustice befalling individuals, groups and communities in a day and age when society likes to pride itself on becoming more open and accepting of all human beings.

More specifically, it is in instances when our beloved Kuya Boy comes across a social media post from an educated and law-abiding transsexual who writes about boarding a cab only to be insulted and harassed by the driver for dressing and looking a certain way. It is times when a newbie talent confides in the veteran manager that he's been told he would never make it in show business because everyone can tell he's a closeted gay. And much worse, it is when the famed interviews of this 'fast talker' bring him an inconsolable father of a young LGBTQIA+ community member who suffered unwarranted violence at the hands of a macho street gang just for being real.

New full-fledged songwriter Boy Abunda with singers — and proud LGBTQIA+ members — who rendered his precious songs (from left) Anton Antenorcruz, John Mark Saga and Raven Heyres.