Boy Abunda named ambassador for Phil. Int'l Arts Festival

(Updated 12:49 p.m.) Television host Boy Abunda has been named ambassador of the 2011 Philippine International Arts Festival, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said. "Dubbed as local show business’s 'King of Talk,' Mr. Abunda’s ability to clearly communicate ideas makes him the perfect spokesperson to promote Philippine arts and culture to Filipinos around the world," the NCCA said in a statement. The 2011 PIAF will be held on February 2011, during the National Arts Month. Dubbed “Ani ng Sining," it is expected to attract thousands of artists from all over the country. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte clarified that Abunda's position is not an official appointment, noting that the list of appointments given by the Office of the Executive Secretary did not include Abunda's name. "It may be an informal designation by the NCCA, similar to that of an ambassador of goodwill, to promote the arts," Valte told GMANews.TV over the phone. Abunda, a close family friend of the Aquinos, is known for his influence in the entertainment industry. Aside from serving as host in various talk shows, he also manages several celebrities. The NCCA had earlier named another celebrity, Dingdong Dantes, as the commission's youth ambassador. Both Abunda and Dantes supported President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's presidential bid. Aquino said before taking his oath last June 30 that he was considering appointing Abunda to a government post, particularly in the tourism department, but Abunda said then that he will not accept a government post. Aquino's youngest sister Kris is also acting as a goodwill ambassador, having been named last August as the Department of Health's Ambassador for Dengue Prevention. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV