Eat Bulaga!

Infobox television
bgcolor=#c00
fgcolor=#fff
show_name = Eat Bulaga!


caption = Present logo of "Eat Bulaga!"
format = Variety show
picture_format = 480i SDTV
camera = Multiple-camera setup
runtime = Approx. 2.5 hours (Monday - Friday)
2.5 hours (Saturdays)
creator = Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc.
executive_producer = Antonio P. Tuviera
Malou Choa-Fagar
starring = Tito Sotto
Vic Sotto
Joey de Leon
and others
country = flagcountry|Philippines
language = Tagalog and English
network = Radio Philippines Network
first_aired = July 30, 1979
last_aired = present
website = http://www.eatbulaga.tv
imdb_id = 0344642
preceded_by = KalatOg! Pinggan (ABS-CBN)
Salo-Salo Together (SST) (GMA Network)
followed_by = Student Canteen (RPN)
'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (ABS-CBN)

"Eat Bulaga!" is a local noon-time variety show in the Philippines produced by the Television And Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) of Malou Fagar and Tony Tuviera. The program is the longest-running variety show on Philippine television. It also holds the Philippine record of all-time number of live TV episodes. ("Bulaga" means "surprise" in Tagalog, although it should not be taken as "the" literal translation of the word "surprise"; its closest English equivalent is "Peek-a-boo!". "Eat" is the transliteration of "It!", the Tagalog game-slang for "lost (in the game)" and "Eat" was chosen because the show plays at lunch time) The show is aired on GMA Network at 12pm on Weekdays and on Saturdays. The show is broadcast from TAPE Studios at the Broadway Centrum in Quezon City.

History

"Eat Bulaga" premiered on July 30, 1979 on Radio Philippines Network at Broadcast City, Diliman, Quezon City.

RPN outsourced the idea to TAPE. At that time, comic troika Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon were the most popular movie comedians. They were hired together with Chiqui Hollman and Richie Reyes (a.k.a. Richie d' Horsie) as co-hosts.

The TV program innovated numerous concepts on Philippine television which were later copied by rival TV programs.

In 1989 due to the sequestration of RPN, the show moved to ABS-CBN along with other TAPE-produced shows "Agila", "Coney Reyes on Camera" and "Okay Ka Fairy Ko" (from IBC) and helped strengthen the network's programming. The premiere telecast of Eat Bulaga at their new home was on February 18, 1989 and for this momentous event, the show was staged at the Araneta Coliseum.

In 1992, Tito Sotto left the show after he ran successfully for a Senate seat. He became the topnotch senator during the May elections, which saw Fidel V. Ramos winning the presidency. However, despite leaving the show, he still managed to appear on special occasions. Sotto was able to serve 2 terms in the Senate, from 1992–1998, and 1998–2004. In his last year at the Senate, he went back to "Bulaga" on a weekly basis (usually on Saturdays).

The show once again moved to another network, this time on GMA Network because ABS-CBN wanted to buy the airing rights of "Eat Bulaga" from TAPE, Inc. When the group led by Tony Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar reneged on the proposed deal, ABS-CBN kicked "Bulaga" and its sister shows "Valiente" and "Okay Ka, Fairy Ko" from its roster of shows and decided to reformat its Sunday-only show "Sa Linggo nAPO Sila" into a week-long show, 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. "Eat Bulaga" premiered on GMA on January 21, 1995, again at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Eat Bulaga!" celebrated its 25th year on television in October 2004 at the Expo Amphitheater in Clarkfield, Angeles City, Pampanga, making it the longest-running television show in the Philippines. The television special was attended by an estimated 60,000 spectators and enjoyed the highest daytime TV rating in the Philippines. The special was cited as winner in the Asian Television Awards in Singapore on December 1, 2005. The said event was also hailed as the most successful television event on Philippine TV and was narrowly matched only by the 1st Starstruck Final Judgement.

In December 2004, GMA signed a 5-year contract extension to keep the show on their network until December 29 2009. After celebrating 25th anniversary, it was incidentally the 10th anniversary of Eat Bulaga's start in GMA the next year.

Over the years, many people have predicted that the show would move to another network every time their contract with GMA was close to expiry. But, in interviews with GMA executives led by Atty. Felipe Gozon and Jimmy Duavit - GMA expressed their desire to keep the show for as long as they can as there is no vacant timeslot in other TV station and to let its ratings rise. Joey de Leon on the other hand, is also considered as an important factor to "Bulaga"'s stay in GMA since he has been fiercely loyal to the station and his efforts have been rewarded.

"Eat Bulaga" is considered by many as an institution - becoming a launchpad for many different Filipino comedians and showbiz newbies who have had large success on the show. Tony Tuviera identified the show as a "way of life" when they beat MTV's Tsunami Aid special at the Asian Television Awards.

In 2006, the SexBomb Girls left the show due to a dispute with the show's producers.Fact|date=April 2008

In January 2007, Gladys Guevarra left to undergo therapy. In May 2007, the casting for the show was affected when three of its hosts, Tito Sotto, Anjo Yllana and Teri Onor ran for public office. Sotto and Yllana were re-electionists for Senate and Paranaque Vice Mayor respectively. However they lost to more formidable opponents. Only Onor (real name Dexter Dominguez) won a seat as Vice Mayor of his hometown in Abucay, Bataan. Moreover, the line-up of hosts for "Bulaga" was reduced after some hosts either resigned or ended contract.

The show also went online when they launched their own website www.eatbulaga.tv. The loyal viewers can access the hosts' biographical information, as well as the past episodes of the show.

Cast

Hosts

* Tito Sotto(semi-regular)
* Vic Sotto
* Joey de Leon

Current co-hosts

* Anjo Yllana
* Francis Magalona (inactive because of his leukemia)
* Jimmy Santos
* Allan K.
* Pia Guanio
* Pauleen Luna
* Michael V.
* Toni Rose Gayda
* Jose Manalo
* Wally Bayola
* Ruby Rodriguez
* Julia Clarete
* Paolo Ballesteros
* Daiana Menezes
* Lougee Basabas
* Keempee de Leon
* SexBomb Girls (Mondays and Fridays)
* EB Babes (Tuesdays-Thursday and Saturday)
* April delos Reyes (Monday and Wednesday) (AOL Wintrack)

Previous co-hosts

* Chiqui Hollman(1979–1988)
* Coney Reyes (1982–1991)
* Helen Vela† (1986-1989)
* Helen Gamboa (Tito sotto's wife) (1985-1986)
* Charo Santos (1986-1987)
* Tessie Tomas (1981-1987)
* Ces Quesada (1990-1995)
* Christine Jacob (1990-1995)
* Rio Diaz† (1990–1996)
* Grasya (Samantha Lopez) (1995-1997)
* Aiza Seguerra [1987-1995]
* Vanna Vanna [1995-1997]
* Joyce Jimenez [2001-2002]
* Iza Calzado [2002-2003]
* John Prats [1995-1997]
* Pops Fernandez (1983-1984)
* Sharon Cuneta (1983-1984)
* Kris Aquino (1988-1989)
* Ogie Alcasid (1988-1989)
* Plinky Recto (1988-1989)
* Nova Villa (1989-1995)
* Donita Rose [1996-1997, 2002-2003]
* Angela Luz (1989-1995)
* Sunshine Cruz [1995-1996]
* Onemig Bondoc (1996-1997)
* Robin da Roza [1997-1998]
* Illac Diaz [1997-1998]
* Ruffa Gutierrez [1995-1997]
* Kristine Florendo [2000-2001]
* "Bikoy Baboy" (mascot)
* Jaya [2001-2005]
* Michelle van Eimeren
* Fire (Ana Garcia and Soraya Sinsuat) [1995-1996] [1996-1997]
* Inday Garutay [1995-1997]
* Mickey Ferriols [1996-1997]
* Bea Bueno
* Camille Ocampo
* Sunshine Dizon
* Rey Pumaloy - Aminin segment [1995-1996] [1996-1997]
* Lady Lee [1989-1995]
* Dingdong Dantis (impersonator of actor-hunk Dingdong Dantes) (2001–2003)
* Marvin Valdoria
* Lalaine Edson (2000)
* Derek RamsayFact|date=April 2008
* Phoemela BarrandaFact|date=April 2008
* Nadine Schimdt (winner from the segment TV Babes)
* Gemma Neque FitzgeraldFact|date=April 2008
* Aji Estornino (TV Babe Winner)
* Sherilyn ReyesFact|date=April 2008
* Angelu De Leon Fact|date=April 2008
* Isabel GranadaFact|date=April 2008
* Bobby AndrewsFact|date=April 2008
* Jericho RosalesFact|date=April 2008
* Stefanie WalmsleyFact|date=April 2008
* Cogie DomingoFact|date=April 2008
* Danilo BarriosFact|date=April 2008
* Steven Claude GoyongFact|date=April 2008
* Dindin LlarenaFact|date=April 2008
* Lana Asanin [1999-2000]
* Leila KuzmaFact|date=April 2008
* Alicia Mayer
* Toni Gonzaga (2002-2005)
* Edgar Allan Guzman (2006–2007)
* Mark Ariel Fresco (2006–2007)
* Ryan Julio (2006–2007)
* Sugar Mercado (2001–March 2006 as a SexBomb Girl, 2006–2007 as a host)
* K Brosas (2001–2003)
* Gladys Guevarra (1999-2007)
* Janno Gibbs (2002–2007)
* Ciara Sotto (2005-2007)
* Cindy Kurleto (2006-2007)
* Teri Onor (2002-2007)
* Ariani Nogueira (2007)
* Robert M†
* Twinky (Virtual-host 'On The Spot' segment) (2006-2008)
* Ariana Barouk (2007-2008)
* Lani Mercado [1988-1989]
* Lana Jalosjos (a.k.a Lana J. or Svetlana).debraliz valasote [1981-1989] [1989-1995] .millette advincula [1987-1988] [1989-1995]

exBomb Girls

The SexBomb Girls were an all-girl group that performed dance skits. In March 2006, they were dropped from the show following a dispute between their manager and the show's producers.

exBomb Girls Dispute

The SexBomb Girls (both dancers and singers) rebelled and stayed away from working on Eat Bulaga when one of the show's producers hired Sugar Mercado and promoted her heavily after her contract with Joy Cancio, the girl group's manager, had expired. Cancio claimed she decided to take the famous group off the show in protest of the said decision. There were even speculations that the producers had actually preplanned a way to get the SexBombs off the show, most likely due to salary issues.

As a result, media sources reported rumors that the SexBomb Girls were going to be hired by ABS-CBN to move to Wowowee, ABS-CBN's noontime Variety/Game Show, but Cancio denied the rumor and stressed that the group still has a long term contract with GMA Network, especially with regard to the hit afternoon drama show Daisy Siete.

The producer of Eat Bulaga accepted a texted apology from Cancio, but also said the time was right to move on. A return to Eat Bulaga by the SexBomb Girls was then thought to be unlikely, and they were later "replaced" by a new dance group: The EB Babes.

The EB Babes

With the loss of the SexBombs, the producers of Eat Bulaga decided to form a brand new in-house dance group, the EB Babes (the EB standing for "Eat Bulaga!"). The group was formed using a reality competition with open auditions. The new group officially debuted later during August 2006.

The Return of the SexBomb Girls

On December 16 2006 the SexBomb Girls appeared on Eat Bulaga for the first time in nine months during the "Give Love on Christmas Day" segment with a song and dance number. Former SexBomb Girl Sugar Mercado rejoined the girls in the said number and some Eat Bulaga hosts were happy to see them again. On March 12, the SexBomb Girls returned as "guest dancers" once again - but only appearing during Fridays.

exBomb vs. EB Babes

The two groups finally met each other in a "showdown" on February 3, 2007, as requested by the public, especially the fans of both groups. The episode gained a 31.2% share of the ratings for that day. Rumors later surfaced about a possible rematch between the two groups, but in a TV interview with the SexBombs, it was revealed that there would be no rematch with the EB Babes for a while, but, a couple of weeks later, they met each other for another showdown, but, it was less popular than the previous one. Right now, the SexBombs are currently seen on Fridays on a temporary basis, while the EB Babes are also seen on the rest of the week. Occasionally, the two groups can be seen together during opening numbers on Saturday episodes.

Awards

*Winner, Best Variety Show - PMPC Star Awards for Television (1989–2007)
*Best Entertainment Program Winner "Eat Bulaga Silver Special" - 2005 Asian Television Awards in Singapore

Segments in Eat Bulaga

* TakTak mo o Tatakbo
* Ang Joke Ko
* Kontrapelo, Sa Pula, Sa Puti
* EB MRT (Most Requested Trip)
* Survivor Philippines in Eat Bulaga

See also

* List of Philippine television shows
* List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
* List of shows previously aired by ABS-CBN

External links

* [http://www.eatbulaga.tv Official website]
** [http://www.eatbulaga.tv/ebbabes/ebbabes.htm EB Babes Official Page]
** [http://www.eatbulaga.tv/ebbabes/eb-gallery.htm EB Babes Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.igma.tv/shows/eat-bulaga "Eat Bulaga!"] at iGMA.tv
* [http://telebisyon.net/Eat-Bulaga/ "Eat Bulaga!"] at Telebisyon.net
*imdb name|id=0344642|name=Eat Bulaga!