KING of Talk Boy Abunda did not mince words about actress Liza Soberano’s tell-all vlog explaining her decision to take a new direction in her career, and said he was very disappointed with her revelations. 

In an episode of his program “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” he shared his points on the actress’ vlog where she said she felt she had not been free to make choices in her previous path. 

I am extremely… not disgusted, I am extremely disappointed with the vlog”

Boy Abunda

According to him, Soberano has all the right to air her sentiments, choose a new management, and rebrand herself.  

Who is the old Liza?

But he said it hurt him to hear her say that she was not free to make decisions about her career. 

“Masakit pakinggan kasi you were working with the three of the best directors in this country,” he said.

He asked if it meant that the Soberano he had known was just a manufactured version who was only doing as she was told. 

“At bilang taga-hanga, parang ang  gusto kong sabihin na, ‘Liza, yung hinangaan namin hindi ikaw yon? For the last 13 years, ang hinangaan namin hindi si Liza yon?” he asked.  

Talking as a manager

Abunda himself is a veteran talent manager, having managed the careers of showbiz veterans AiAi delas Alas, Dawn Zulueta, Rufa Mae Quinto, Drew Arellano, Iya Villana-Arellano, Bianca Gonzales, Ariel Rivera, and Gelli de Belen, among others. 

In responding to Soberano’s vlog, he explained briefly what happens when a talent is handled by a manager to be a celebrity. 

“Ang talent po ay pumupunta yan sa manager, nagsasabing gusto ko po mag-artista, gusto ko pong kumanta, gusto ko pong sumayaw, etc,” he said. 

“You plan the career, you use your connections, para makapag-umpisa ang karera ng isang artista,” he added. 

At a certain point, especially when the talent becomes famous, the “power base” changes, he said. 

“Katulad ng pagsikat ni Liza Soberano, nababago po kung nasan yun power base, dun na nagbabago yung lente, yung kanyang prism na  ‘Ahh, this is what I want, I want more’ etc. etc,. na masakit,” he said.

Journey with gratitude 

Just like the others who shared their views about Soberano’s new career strategy, Abunda told the actress that if she wanted freedom to navigate her own career, she should “journey in gratitude.” 

Instead of looking at success differently, she should just be thankful that she reached the top because of the people who helped her along the way, he said. 

Sabihin na natin na may mga karanasan ka na hindi  masyado maganda, because you wanted to be heard, you wanted to be visible in your career. Pero Liza, lahat ng nangyari sayo, lahat, nothing is ever wasted. Lahat, lahat yan nagiging point of reference mo, ay eto pala ibig sabihin non”

Boy Abunda

Defending ‘Liza’

Abunda also said the actress should learn to value her identity as “Liza Soberano,” after she said she was not even the one who chose her screen name.

Whatever her sentiment about “Liza,” it is still the name that people knew and loved and that she should never forget this, he said. 

“Pero Liza, yun ang hinangaan namin, yun ang kinilala namin. And what we knew, at ang hinangaan namin was a good girl, ang hinangaan namin was an excellent actor. Huwag mo isantabi,” he said. 

Do not disregard your past

Before he ended, he advised Soberano not to forget her past, including her fans and the people who worked with her. 

Do not disregard your past, do not disregard the 13 years na minahal ka ng mga fans mo. Do not disregard the hard work that your managers put into who you are today”

Boy Abunda

Despite his feelings, he said he loves Soberano and wishes her well in her career. She should just not forget to “say thank you,” he added. 

Also read:

Former manager clarifies Liza Soberano’s claims about being ‘caged,’ wishes her luck 

Liza Soberano speaks: ‘At 24, I was finally given a choice to decide my own path’

Liza Soberano back on IG after ‘hacking,’ promises ‘life update’ soon

Liza Soberano’s photos on Instagram disappear