Boy Abunda Breaks His Silence & Defends Herlene Budol from Harsh Labels
HERLENE BUDOL – Amid ongoing criticism, Boy Abunda stood by Herlene Budol and challenged the public’s idea of what intelligence truly means.
Veteran broadcaster Boy Abunda has come to the defense of actress and beauty queen Herlene Budol, making it clear that he does not agree with claims labeling her as “bobo,” a description critics have repeatedly used against her.
Going against common public perception, Asia’s King of Talk stressed that Herlene should not be seen as unintelligent. During her appearance on his Kapuso talk show, Herlene openly discussed how difficult it is to be branded as “shunga” and the emotional toll that comes with such judgment.
“Ang hirap maging bobo, e. Sobrang hirap ng wala kang alam. Pero lahat naman ng bagay napag-aaralan. So kulang lang ako sa experience,” Herlene told Tito Boy as she reflected on her struggles and personal journey.
Boy Abunda immediately pushed back against Herlene’s self-criticism. With his extensive background in television and interviews, he pointed out that intelligence cannot be defined separately and should not be measured by accents, grammar, or one’s ability to speak English fluently.
“Hindi ako naniniwalang bobo ka. Maabilidad, matalino. Iba-iba lang ang articulation ng ating mga pananaw,” Tito Boy said in her defense. He reinforced his point by stating, “I don’t buy into the idea that you have to speak English very well to be intelligent.”
Herlene also made it clear that she is no longer affected by how others judge her. For her, true success lies in being resourceful, responsible, and capable of taking care of her loved ones rather than meeting society’s expectations.
“Ako, Tito Boy, wala akong pakialam kung anong gusto nilang itawag sa akin. Basta ako, marunong akong dumiskarte sa buhay at hindi ko gugutumin ang pamilya ko,” she said.
This mindset is something Herlene has shared before. In an exclusive interview last year with Ogie Diaz, she discussed her personal definition of being “bobo,” particularly in relation to continuous learning and self-improvement.
“Para sa akin, Mama Ogs, ang pagiging bobo ‘yong pagiging willing mong matuto halos araw-araw. At marami pa po akong hindi alam pagdating sa pageantry,” Herlene explained.
With Boy Abunda’s strong support and her own candid statements, Herlene Budol continues to push back against limiting labels, highlighting that determination, adaptability, and the willingness to grow are powerful forms of intelligence in their own right.
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