MANILA - Television host Boy Abunda delivered a heartfelt tribute for his mother after receiving his doctorate in philosophy from the Philippine Women's University on Saturday.

It was in 2011 when television host Abunda first revealed that his mother, Lesing, was suffering from dementia. In his speech, he admitted he put on a brave face despite the tragic news as he recalled the courage his mother inspired in him during his own times of hardship.

"Your love was my shield and my armor," he told his mother in front of his fellow graduates. "Nanay, I want you to know that no matter how bleak life was, I persisted because I saw you persist against an avalanche of all sorts of odds."

Abunda revealed that her mother worked tirelessly as a public school teacher for more than four decades in order to pay off their family's debt. He also said that she wanted him to become an accountant.

But instead of forcing him to pursue her dreams for him, his mother supported him when he followed his passion for theater.

"Nanay, I know your love conquered my fears and inspired me to explore the possibilities of the unknown," Abunda, now one of the most recognizable talk show hosts in the country, shared. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

LOOK: Dr. Eugenio "Boy" Abunda. Dissertation: Mother-Nurtured Leadership. pic.twitter.com/j1aG8NPJKI

— MJ Felipe (@mjfelipe) July 2, 2016

Abunda then encouraged his audience to never forget to express their love for their parents: "Say it today, graduates, as I say it to my Nanay, I love you. Nanay."