King of Talk Boy Abunda spoke on national TV to address the statements made by Alvin Aragon about the LGBTQIA+ community. During the February 25 episode of his afternoon talk show, the veteran host shared his sentiments as part of the queer community himself.
Alvin once again became the subject of public discussion after questioning parents who openly accept their LGBTQIA+ children. In an interview on February 19 with Cris Rafael, he mentioned several public figures, including K Brosas, Ian Veneracion, and Gloc-9, prompting renewed reactions online.
Following this, Boy addressed Alvin’s statements on air, acknowledging where the latter was coming from before explaining why he believed the remarks went too far.
“I’d like to be gracious to Avin because he's coming from a point of faith, kanyang paniniwala. Totoo 'yung kanyang paniniwala. Pero para sa akin po, he crossed a line. Sumobra siya noong nagpangalan na siya ng mga magulang na, ‘Tingnan mo sina K Brosas, lan Veneracion, si Gloc-9' na parang hindi tama. In other words, what he was trying to say is, hindi tama na ine-embrace nila ang kanilang mga LGBT children dahil hindi 'yan nakasaad sa kautusan ng Diyos.”
“To me, that was an overstretch. To me, that was wrong. To me, doon sumobra si Alvin,” he emphasized.
He went on to explain why the remarks struck deeply, saying: “I’d like to call him out dahil ang masakit, na para bagang sinasabi ni Alvin na ito ang tamang parenting style, tama kami dahil hindi namin pinapayagan, hindi namin tinatanggap. And as opposed to these people who chose to embrace and who continue to choose to embrace their children with love, with dignity, with kindness, with compassion. Hindi lamang yung mga pinangalanan ni Alvin, tinamaan din kami at ang maraming pang tao na piniling mahalin ang kanilang mga anak.”
Citing his own experience, the veteran host shared that he helped raise his lesbian niece, whom he described as a good and decent person. According to him, facing God and being able to say that you have been a good person during your lifetime is the "true measure of humanity."
He added, “Nasaktan kami dahil ang sinasabi niya ‘ito ang parenting style na tama.’”
Boy then addressed Alvin directly, reiterating that faith and personal beliefs should not be imposed on others.
“Alvin, you cannot impose your faith. You cannot impose your parenting style. You cannot impose yourself on us. ‘Yun sa akin ang sobra dahil wala kang pakialam at walang puwedeng humusga sa amin. Walang puwedeng magsabi sa amin, not you, not anyone. Kung iba ang iyong paniniwala, iba ang iyong faith, sobra ang paggalang ko sa'yo.”
Boy also revisited Alvin’s earlier appearance on his show on February 10 together with his wife, former SexBomb member Izzy Trazona. The veteran host explained that he chose not to open the topic about Izzy’s trans child, Sofia Trazona, and the queer community at the time out of respect for his guests. He also recalled how he found Izzy as "really beautiful inside and out" and Alvin being "so funny" during their guesting.
“We had a wonderful experience with them,” he continued.
READ: Christian pastor asks public to be ‘gracious’ towards Alvin Aragon
Reflecting on faith and judgment, Boy then posed questions that challenged narratives of condemnation.
“Pupunta ba [ako] sa impyerno because I am queer? Pupunta ba ako sa impyerno because l am gay? At pupunta ba ang mga magulang na yumayakap sa kanilang mga anak with love and dignity? Hindi kami pupunta ng impyerno because ako, I believe in a God who's kind, I believe in a God who's compassionate, I believe in a God who is all understanding, I believe in a God na makikita ang aking kalooban.”
Ending his message to Alvin, he cited a passage.
“Sinabi ni St. John of the Cross, and listen, ako gusto ko itong pakinggan ni Alvin, 'In the evening of Iife we will all be judged on love and love alone.'”
Prior to this, Sofia also appeared on the show on February 24. Asked about her relationship with her stepfather, Sofia said she was fine with him as long as he continues to love her mother, though she noted they did not have constant communication.
Sofia also reacted to the statements attributed to Alvin that circulated online, particularly those involving her relationship with her biological father, Michael Navarro.
“Nagalit po ako honestly kasi he shouldn’t criticize yung relationship namin ni papa kasi amin yun–– amin lang yun. Hindi siya kasali dun even yung mga relationship ng mga artists with their LGBTQ [children], relationship din nila yun dapat hindi na po natin ginagalaw,” she said.
She later admitted that her biggest concern was for her mother amid the situation. “Nasasaktan po ako para kay mama, sobra po akong nasasaktan… dahil husband niya po yun at mahal na mahal niya po si Alvin and I worry for her, sobra,” she shared.