King of Talk Boy Abunda is happily out and about these days, eager to support a cause he had long wanted to pursue on a larger scale.
The pride of Borongan, Eastern Samar—where he was born and raised—Kuya Boy has always been dependable in helping his beloved hometown and neighboring communities in any way he can towards development. But of course, he could only do so much on his own.
Back in 2019, a party list by the name of Ang Probinsyano caught Kuya Boy’s attention for advocating comprehensive development in rural areas, especially the most far-flung locations across the country.
Quietly, he kept checking on the work this party-list achieved in the last three years, wanting to make sure that Ang Probinsyano stood up to its name.
Kuya Boy wasn’t disappointed, what with proof the party-list determinedly braved the pandemic to bring health essentials to the most isolated communities, all while continuing to authoring bills in Congress to raise the quality and accessibility of every Filipino to education; provide more infrastructure and social services to better the lives of rural dwellers; and even opportunities toward financial aid for farmers, fisherfolk, local artisans and other small businesses with the goal of self-sufficiency.
A probinsyano through and through, Kuya Boy had no qualms in accepting the party-list’s request to step in as an adviser and valuable volunteer in bringing more attention to the often ignored sectors of society.
“Nung nakilala ko na finally si Congressman Alfred delos Santos, ang first nominee ng Ang Probinsyano, na-recognize ko agad ang pagkakamukha ng aming mga pangarap para sa ating mga probinsya. Kaya sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Apid, I’m impressed with what Ang Probinsyano has done for our fellow promdis around the country in so short a time, and with the pandemic complicating everything. So here I am—ready and willing to help Ang Probinsyano carry on its promise toward better provinces across the country, ergo, a better Philippines.”
What worries Kuya Boy these days, however, is how confusing the party-list electoral process has become, with at least 165 groups vying to make it to Congress.
“Sa dami nila, nakakalito talaga para sa ating mga kababayan kung alin ang pipiliin nila, lalo na’t ini-raffle na din ang numero ng bawat isa sa balota,” the revered showbiz pillar and philanthropist explained.
“Kaya ako, umiikot talaga ako ngayon para siguraduhin na alam ng mga tao na No. 50 ang Ang Probinsyano sa balota. Wag silang malilito, lalo na sa mga grupong katunog lang din o para bang ginagaya lang ang pangalan natin.”
Otherwise, Kuya Boy warned that Congress would lose a very important and hard-working party-list that remains true, honest, and passionate in its advocacy.
“Masasayang lamang ang napakagandang nasimulan ng Ang Probinsyano kung mamamali lang tayo sa pagboto,” he added. “Kaya ito na lang ang ating tandaan sa araw ng eleksyon—doon na tayo sa #50 and fabulous!”
Relentless in campaigning for Ang Probinsyano Party-list (APPL), Kuya Boy is grateful to see that many other celebrities–who like him have embraced the provincial life over the pandemic—have also volunteered to help spread the word about choosing #50 Ang Probinsyano on election day.
“Kasama na namin si Piolo (Pascual) na ang laging sabi naman ay, ‘Huwag nang mag-50-50 sa party-list dahil #50 is it!’,” Kuya Boy chuckled.
“Siyempre nandyan din si JM de Guzman, isang napakabait na bata at napakagaling na aktor at ang bagong bagong volunteer ng grupo na social media sensation, si Donnalyn Bartolome. Sila ang mga ka-50 namin ni Piolo kahit iba-iba kami ng edad kasi parepareho naman ang aming pagmamahal sa para ating mga probinsya,” Kuya Boy finally said.
