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Philippine television variety show From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eat Bulaga! (transl. eat surprise!; stylized as Eat... Bulaga!) is a Philippine television noontime variety show currently broadcast by TV5 and RPTV. Originally premiered on July 30, 1979 on the Radio Philippines Network, it is the longest-running noontime variety program in the Philippines and ranks among television programs with the most episodes in history with over 13,500 episodes aired.
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Eat Bulaga! | |
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Genre | Variety show |
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Country of origin | Philippines |
Original language | Tagalog |
No. of episodes | 13,500+ |
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Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
Running time | 150–180 minutes |
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Release | July 30, 1979 – present |
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Since 2024, the show has been produced by TVJ Productions, Inc. and led by its original hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon alongside Allan K., Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Pauleen Luna, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Maine Mendoza, Miles Ocampo, Carren Eistrup, Atasha Muhlach and TVJ Singing Queens, collectively known as the "Legit Dabarkads".[7][8][9]
Production Specialists, Inc., a company owned by Romeo Jalosjos Sr., came up with an idea of creating a noontime show for Radio Philippines Network.[10] Antonio Tuviera pitched that Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, would be the "perfect" hosts for the show.[11] At a meeting at the InterContinental Manila, Tuviera made an offer to them which was accepted.[11][12] De Leon coined the term "Eat Bulaga" as the title of the show and owns its copyright.[12][13]
Eat Bulaga! premiered on July 30, 1979, with its pilot episode filmed at the RPN Live Studio 1 in Broadcast City, Quezon City.[14][15] Chiqui Hollmann[11] and Richie D'Horsie also served as the original hosts.[14] The theme song was composed by Vic Sotto with Vincent Dy Buncio and Pancho Oppus and musically arranged by Homer Flores.[16] During the show's first few months, it was in the brink of cancellation due to stiff competition and lack of advertisers, despite having their advertising rates reduced to ₱750[11] (equivalent to ₱25,497 in 2021) and the hosts' lack of salary for over a year.[17]
De Leon said that he and the Sotto brothers did not sign a contract with the show, when they were offered to become hosts. Vic Sotto said that he accepted the offer and would stop, once he had money to buy a personal vehicle. De Leon also said that the show was supposed to be a short-term employment. After two years, the trio decided to stay with the show.[18][19] The show gained top-rating status in 1980 with the segment "Mr. Macho".[11][15] Production Specialists Inc. went bankrupt and dissolved sometime in July 1980 and the production of the show were handed over to Television and Production Exponents (TAPE), Inc. on July 7, 1981.[17] In 1982, Coney Reyes joined the show as the newest host.[20]
In the immediate aftermath of the People Power Revolution, the show went off the air from February 27 to March 1, 1986, due to the transmitter of RPN being disabled by reformist soldiers. In 1987, Aiza Seguerra joined the show after Little Miss Philippines.[11][21] Eat Bulaga! left the Broadcast City complex on December 2, 1987, and transferred to Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City the next day owing to RPN being beset by periodical change of management. The compounded situation led to Tony Tuviera's decision to start negotiations with then-fledgling ABS-CBN to eventually transfer the show.
Eat... Bulaga! moved to ABS-CBN[20] under a co-production agreement due to problems brought about by the sequestration of RPN.[14] On February 18, 1989, the show premiered on its new home with a TV special titled Eat... Bulaga!: Moving On, staged at the Araneta Coliseum.[22] Upon its transfer to ABS-CBN, the show utilized Studio 1 at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center as its main venue while Studio 2 served as an additional facility during special occasions.
The show's tenth anniversary was held on September 23, 1989, at the Araneta Coliseum.[23] In 1991, Ruby Rodriguez and Rio Diaz became regular co-hosts.
In 1994, ABS-CBN attempted to purchase the broadcast rights to the show from TAPE Inc., but Antonio Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar rejected the offer, leading the network to give Eat... Bulaga! an ultimatum to leave by January 1995.[citation needed] ABS-CBN retook the timeslot with their own program 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila on February 4, 1995.
Eat Bulaga! began its transition from ABS-CBN Studio 1 to the Celebrity Sports Plaza on October 1, 1994, as part of its preparation for the switch to a new network. The official move was finalized on January 19, 1995, during a contract signing between TAPE Inc. and GMA Network executives at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila. Subsequently, the show premiered on GMA Network on January 28, 1995, with a special episode titled Eat... Bulaga!: The Moving!.[22][14][24]
Toni Rose Gayda, Allan K., Samantha Lopez, and Francis Magalona joined Eat Bulaga! as co-hosts, expanding the show's roster. Gayda and Allan K. officially became co-hosts on January 7, 1995, while Lopez and Magalona joined on January 14, 1995. Anjo Yllana became a host on March 28, 1998, further solidifying the program's appeal. By the year 2000, Eat Bulaga! made history as the first noontime variety show in the Philippines to award millions of pesos in prizes through its popular segment Laban o Bawi, which quickly became a favorite among viewers. Wally Bayola joined the show on April 1, 2000, initially serving as an off-screen jester. His role was to entertain the studio audience during commercial breaks and announce introductions for the show's segments.[25]
Francis M. was removed from the show on May 12, 2001, following his arrest for drug possession. Janno Gibbs began serving as his replacement on May 19, 2001. Paolo Ballesteros joined the show as co-host for the U-Bet segment on August 4, 2001, a university student pageant hosted in remote locations with Derek Ramsay and Phoemela Baranda visiting campuses nationwide. Magalona returned to the show on February 16, 2002, following his acquittal and rehabilitation. Ratings increased due to the popularity of the SexBomb Dancers and Sige!!! Ano...Kaya Mo?!? Sakmo! segment. Jose Manalo became a regular co-host on October 19, 2003, after serving as a production assistant in 1994 and as a floor director in 1999.
Eat Bulaga! celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special episode aired from Expo Pilipino on November 19, 2004. This celebration, titled Eat Bulaga! Silver Special, was broadcast on November 27 and 29, 2004.[26] The program received the Best Entertainment (One-Off/Annual) Special award at the Asian Television Awards in Singapore on December 1, 2005.[27][28] Pauleen Luna officially joined the show as a co-host on December 14, 2005. [26]
SexBomb Girls left Eat Bulaga! due to a dispute with the producers and were replaced by the EB Babes on January 7, 2006.[29] They returned to the show on March 3, 2007, but departed again on January 29, 2011. EB Babes continued as regular performers until February 23, 2019, when they left due to contract expiration and other business decisions.[30][31][32] In September 2007, de Leon began an on-screen feud with Willie Revillame, leading to the Hello Pappy scandal, which became a significant controversy.[33][34]
On March 6, 2009, Vic Sotto announced the death of Francis Magalona, who succumbed to leukemia, during the program. A tribute episode for Magalona was held the following day.[35] The show's 30th-anniversary special, titled Tatlong Dekads ng Dabarkads, aired on October 17, 2009. Ryan Agoncillo joined the show Eat Bulaga! on October 24, 2009.[36][37] Ryzza Mae Dizon joined the show Eat Bulaga! on July 9, 2012, after winning the talent search Little Miss Philippines on June 21, 2012.[38] The Lenten drama specials returned on April 14, 2014, after a seven-year hiatus. The last Lenten drama special before the hiatus aired on April 6, 2007.[39] The first Dabarkads Awards ceremony was held on October 18, 2014, at the Broadway Centrum in Quezon City.
Alden Richards began his involvement with Eat Bulaga! on April 18, 2015, as a co-host for various segments, while Maine Mendoza first appeared on Eat Bulaga! on July 4, 2015, as Yaya Dub, a character introduced in the Problem Solving sub-segment of the Juan for All, All for Juan segment. In this role, Mendoza portrayed a comedic character interacting with the show’s hosts and participants, which included solving fictional problems or misunderstandings in a humorous way. Her character quickly gained popularity due to her engaging Dubsmash videos and natural comedic timing.
The AlDub love team officially began on July 16, 2015, during a split-screen interaction in the Juan for All, All for Juan segment, which led to the creation of the popular Kalyeserye series. This event achieved 41 million tweets, becoming the most used hashtag within 24 hours on Twitter.[40][41] The show's ratings surged, reaching a peak of 39.1% in Mega Manila and 33.6% nationwide from August to September 2015. It also became a daily trending topic on Twitter worldwide, with the hashtag #AlDubEBTamangPanahon trending notably on October 24, 2015, when the show held a benefit concert titled Tamang Panahon at the Philippine Arena.[42][43][44] The Kalyeserye concluded on December 17, 2016, after a total of 400 episodes.[45][46]
On December 8, 2018, the show moved its live studio location to APT Studios in Cainta, Rizal.[47][48] In March 2020, the admission of a live audience in the studio and production were suspended due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[49][50] The show resumed its programming on June 8, 2020.[51] Anjo Yllana was permanently laid off from the show on August 22, 2021. Ruby Rodriguez followed, leaving the show on May 15, 2021.[52][53] Maja Salvador started her participation in Eat Bulaga! on October 2, 2021, with her own segment, DC 2021: Maja on Stage, followed by Miles Ocampo, who was introduced to the show on March 5, 2022. Both Salvador and Ocampo starred in the musical-comedy segment Ang Alamat ng Batang Hamog, alongside Maine and Ryzza Mae.[54][55] In February 2023, Carren Eistrup joined the show after winning the reality competition segment Bida Next.[56] Salvador left the show on April 14, 2023, to focus on other projects and career opportunities. Following her departure, Ocampo also exited on May 20, 2023, due to health concerns. Both exits marked the end of their participation in the show.
Antonio Tuviera resigned as Chief Executive Officer of TAPE Inc. on March 6, 2023. He was succeeded by Romeo Jalosjos Jr., who officially took over the role on March 7, 2023. Following this transition, Soraya Jalosjos was appointed Vice President of Administration, and Bullet Jalosjos became the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO).[57][58] Under Jalosjos' leadership, the company sought to rebrand Eat Bulaga!, resulting in the replacement of longtime mainstay hosts and top-rated segments, and salary reduction of the entire production team.[59][60]
TAPE Inc. suspended production of Eat Bulaga! from May 31 to June 3, 2023, following the announcement of original hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon that they were severing ties with the company under Jalosjos.[61][62] Fellow hosts of the show—Paolo Ballesteros, Carren Eistrup, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo and Allan K.—and production members also filed their resignation in the days after their announcement.[63][64]
The Jalosjos management of TAPE Inc. continued to use Eat Bulaga! as the title of their noontime show on GMA Network from June 5, 2023, to January 5, 2024 with new hosts and segments, pending the decision of the IPOPHL regarding the petition from Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon to cancel TAPE's "Eat Bulaga" trademark. During this period, the show was hosted by Alexa Miro, Arra San Agustin, Betong Sumaya, Buboy Villar, Cassy Legaspi, Chariz Solomon, Dasuri Choi, Glaiza de Castro, Isko Moreno, Kimpoy Feliciano, Kokoy de Santos, Mavy Legaspi, Michael Sager, Paolo Contis, Winwyn Marquez, and Yasser Marta, with the participation of Music Hero Band and BPop Idols.[65]
On the other hand, TVJ and their co-hosts Allan K., Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Ryan Agoncillo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Carren Eistrup announced their transfer to TV5 through the newly-formed TVJ Productions, joint ventured with TV5's parent MediaQuest Holdings on June 7, 2023.[66] After the collaboration, TV5 announced its new noontime program will air in the timeslot occupied by ABS-CBN Entertainment's It's Showtime, following the former's blocktime deal expiring on June 30, 2023.[67][68] On July 1, 2023, their new noontime show, temporarily known as TVJ and the Dabarkads: Moving Forward to TV5 which was later formally titled E.A.T. (stylized as EAT...), officially premiered from the Studio 4 of TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong, amid the ongoing legal case over ownership rights of the Eat Bulaga! trademark against the Jalosjos-led TAPE.[8][66][69] Miles Ocampo returned to the show on July 8, 2023, after leaving due to health issues, while Atasha Muhlach made her debut on September 23, 2023, as a new addition to the cast. In October 2023, the show introduced the TVJ Singing Queens, featuring members Anne Ferrer, Eunice Janine, Samantha Rascal, Khayzy Bueno, and Jean Drilon.[70][71][72]
On July 29, 2023, both E.A.T. and TAPE Inc.'s Eat Bulaga! have celebrated their 44th anniversary with their own special episodes. In E.A.T., it aired 143–44: National Dabarkads Day, reflecting the past 44 years of the original Eat Bulaga! while on the TAPE iteration of Eat Bulaga! led by Contis and Moreno, it launched two new segments, EB Happy and Word of the Rings, as well as their new theme song titled Tahanang Pinakamasaya, Eat Bulaga!.[73][74]
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) had cancelled TAPE Inc.'s registration of the “Eat Bulaga” and “EB” trademarks No. 4-2011-005951 and No. 4-2011-005950, respectively. IPOPHL confirms that the petitions for cancellation were granted on December 4, 2023, and credited TVJ as the rightful owner of Eat Bulaga!. Meanwhile, the decisions were received by the parties on December 5, 2023.[75][76]
On January 5, 2024, the Marikina Regional Trial Court found Television and Production Exponents, (TAPE) Inc. liable for unfair competition and copyright infringement and issued an order “permanently enjoining” it and GMA Network from using the trademarks “Eat Bulaga” and “EB,” as well as its logos and jingle, in their shows. The court also barred them from airing any recorded “Eat Bulaga” show prior to May 31, 2023, and directed the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to cancel TAPE’s registration of “Eat Bulaga,” “EB,” and their logos. Moreover, it ordered TAPE to pay hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon and their co-defendant Jeny Ferre P2 million in temperate damages, as well as P500,000 in exemplary damages and P500,000 in attorney’s fees.[77][78][79]
Following the court's decision, TAPE Inc. immediately withdrew the use of Eat Bulaga!, and rebranded its show to Tahanang Pinakamasaya on January 6, 2024.[80] Due to poor viewership and increasing debt, Tahanang Pinakamasaya was cancelled on March 2, 2024, ending TAPE's 29-year run of noontime programs on GMA Network.[81][82]
Concurrently, E.A.T. was rebranded as Eat Bulaga!,[8][83] and also began to simulcast its Saturday episodes on CNN Philippines as part of an agreement with Nine Media Corporation, marking a partial return of the program to its original home, RPN.[84] Following the shutdown of CNN Philippines on January 31, 2024,[85] the broadcast of the show was carried over to the replacement channel RPTV and was extended to weekdays starting on February 1, 2024.[86]
Sugod Bahay, Mga Kapatid! is a public service segment primarily hosted by Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros (collectively known as "JoWaPao") while Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Maine Mendoza and Miles Ocampo served as substitute hosts. The segment's concept is derived from the show's popular segment and predecessor, Juan for All, All for Juan, where hosts provide assistance and prizes to locals.[104] The signature segment portrays Jose Manalo as the “Mayor ng Buong Bansa” (transl. Mayor of the whole country) for life. His perpetual “term” bestows laughter and prizes in his daily visits of constituents, co-barangays, the Dabarkads.[105]
Gimme 5: Laro ng mga Henyo is a game segment that challenges the knowledge and logical thinking of each pair of contestants, who are tested under time pressure. The segment has a combined concept from the American game show Family Feud and the show's popular segment and predecessor, Pinoy Henyo. The segment has introduced characters made using artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and text-to-speech software who serve as hosts and remind the contestants about each round's mechanics.[106]
Peraphy (stylized as PERAPhY) is a game portion that challenges the studio player's thinking strategy. It involves oversized playing cards faced with fruits that consists of 13 cards per fruit (banana, mango, pineapple, and watermelon) numbered 1–13. The goal is to complete a row of cards by correctly guessing whether the next one is Higher (Pataas) or Lower (Pababa) in value, with the initial prize potentially being doubled or cut in half in the final round. It also features the TVJ Singing Queens (Eunice Janine, Anne Ferrer, Jean Drilon, Samantha Rascal, and Khayzy Bueno), who handles the playing cards. The segment shares similarities with the show's original segment, Hi-Lo Todo Panalo, as well as the ABS-CBN game shows I Can See Your Voice (which also aired on TV5; basing the final choice on musical clues) and Kapamilya Deal or No Deal, and is based on the American television game show, Card Sharks.[107]
Barangay Bulagaan (also referred to as simply Bulagaan and previously Bulagaan University) is the show's long-running and iconic segment, which features the hosts delivering knock-knock jokes and pick-up lines paired with their song of choice. Originally held in a classroom setting, it is now taking place in an eatery owned by Ryzza Mae Dizon's character, Miss Tapsi.[citation needed]
Dear Eat Bulaga is a public service segment based on the show's original segment, Send in Your Dreams and draws inspiration from the British television series This is Your Life that aims to help individuals in achieving their aspirations by addressing their wishes.[citation needed]
EB Centerstage, a 1980s original segment allowing local singers to showcase their musical talents, was revived in 2024 for solo, duo, bands, or groups to showcase their song covers or compositions.[citation needed]
Eat Bulaga Olympics is a game segment that challenges Eat Bulaga! hosts to complete a series of physical challenges to test their strength and agility. The segment's concept is derived from the show's original segment Bulagaan Olympics. The segment only airs during Saturdays, debuting on July 13, 2024.
During weekdays, it has a spin-off called Eat Bulaga Olympics: Barangay Edition, which features ordinary contestants within the red and yellow teams who compete in order to win ₱10,000. The winning team wins the said amount, while the losing team gets to take ₱5,000 as a consolation prize.
A talent search for handsome, confident, and talented young men based on the show's original segment Mr. Pogi, premiered on October 4, 2023, which aims to discover the next heartthrob sensation. On January 20, 2024, Lance Aceron was declared the grand winner.[108]
Babala! 'Wag Kayong Ganuuun... was a segment in which a pair of contestants would carefully evaluate and determine their correct choice among a group of people with unique characteristics, past experiences and extraordinary achievements. The segment raised awareness and fostered empathy, drawing inspiration from the show's popular segment and predecessor, Bawal Judgmental. The segment, which began on July 3, 2023, and ended on October 19, 2023. It was brought back by TVJ on March 25 to 27, 2024, during the show's Lenten Special, and again on July 26 and 29, 2024, for the show's 45th anniversary.[citation needed]
That's My Boyfriend is a talent search for talented and confident men with supportive partners. The show concluded on April 10, 2024 due to backlash.
Rewind: The Comeback Stage, is a dance contest segment that features dance hits throughout the decades, based on the show's several dance contests throughout the years merging into one segment. The Street Boys won the contest and received ₱200,000 as a prize.
According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the show had its highest rating on October 24, 2015, with a 50.8% rating during the Tamang Panahon special.[109]
Eat Na Ta! is a half-hour variety show broadcast by GMA Cebu, served as a pre-programming to Eat Bulaga!. The show was hosted by local personalities, among them was a broadcast journalist, Bobby Nalzaro.
The show was originally aired on Super Radyo DYSS 999 kHz as a daily game show before it evolved into a TV variety show.
Eat Bulaga! Indonesia premiered on July 16, 2012, on SCTV Network. [5] The show features relevant and popular segments from the Philippine counterpart. The show ended on April 3, 2014.
After 7 months, The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia premiered on ANTV on November 17, 2014, as a morning variety show.[129] Retaining some of the hosts on the first incarnation with new set of hosts. The show features segments from the Philippine counterpart with new names. The second incarnation ended on August 8, 2016.
The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia premiered again on January 30, 2023, with new set of hosts and the return of Leo Consul who had hosted the first incarnation. The show ended again on February 17, 2023, after only 18 days of airtime.
Eat Bulaga! Myanmar was announced on July 30, 2019, as second international franchise, marking Eat Bulaga!'s 40th anniversary. Production was delayed due to internal armed conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, but two years later, some replays of Eat Bulaga! in the Philippines premiered on Mizzima TV on May 31, 2021.[130]