Wednesday, May 5, 2021

An excerpt from "Showbiz Pa More": memorable ‘Private Conversations with Boy Abunda’

DJ Jhai Ho: Eto narequest ko na magusto na may nakachicka ka na mainterview ng mga pulitiko, mga pinakakontrobersyal na pangalan, dito sa interview ni Tito Boy, meron ka bang kinakatakutan ang nakakaharap mo, tito Boy?


Boy Abunda: Hindi takot, I'm very familiar with fear, hindi takot. As a matter of fact, I pray for jitters, nagsasabi, Panginoong Diyos, bigyan mo ako ng konti kaba kasi nagmemeasure hanggang saan ako? Kinatatakutan, meron akong dalawa na instances, isa, I remember being invited then Vice President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, nagkaroon ng EDSA, that was EDSA 2, live kasi ang Private Conversations, ang Private Conversations ang galing mula sa ANC, naging ABS-CBN, nagpunta sa ANC.


EDSA People Power 2, as it came to be known, was a series of protests held from January 16 to 20, 2001, against former president Joseph Estrada who was then facing plunder charges. The protests eventually triggered Estrada's downfall – and paved the way for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, his vice president, to enter the spotlight in the political scene.


This dramatic scene was the final trigger that sent Filipinos to EDSA on January 16, 2001. Throughout the first night of the rally, people began to swarm around the historical EDSA Shrine to express their sentiments. More Filipinos, including students, activists and personalities in the movie, music, print, radio and television industry, joined in the next days, while the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines withdrew their support from the president.


Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took her oath of office as 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines at 12:20​ p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2001 following the effective resignation of former president Joseph Estrada.


"I, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines," she declared before a cheering crowd of thousands at the EDSA Shrine. The oath was administered to her by Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.


Mrs. Arroyo, who was dressed in a business-style grey skirt and blazer, was accompanied at the stage by her husband Mike Arroyo and their children, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, and other leaders of the anti-Estrada opposition groups.


The former president and his family packed up and left Malacañang at around 2:15 p.m. on a barge that crossed Pasig River. The Estradas are currently at the family residence in 1 Polk Street in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.


The Pope visited the Philippines again in January 1995 in time for the 10th World Youth Day. Some 3 million people lined the streets to welcome John Paul II, who arrived on January 12, 1995.


On January 15, 1995, a Sunday, the Pope arrived at Malacañang Park aboard the Popemobile from the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue, but was forced to ride the presidential helicopter along with Cardinal Sin and Papal Nuncio Gian Vincenzo Moreni to get to Quirino Grandstand amid the huge crowd on the streets.  


Biggest gathering


At past 10 in the morning, the Pope began the three-and-a-half-hour Mass that marked the closing of the 10th World Youth Day. Attended by ten million people, it was the biggest gathering so far in the Pontiff’s 16-year reign.


The Mass’ concelebrants included Sin, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Cardinal Sodano and Eduardo Cardinal Pironio, head of the Pontifical Council of the Laity.

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