Eat Bulaga!

Eat Bulaga! (transl. Eat Surprise!; stylized as Eat... Bulaga!) is the longest-running Philippine noontime variety show currently broadcast on One TV and simulcast on CNN Philippines every Saturday. Originally hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, collectively known as the "TVJ," along with Chiqui Hollman and Richie D'Horsie, it premiered on Radio Philippines Network on July 30, 1979. The show is produced by TVJ Productions, Inc. and currently hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon with Allan K., Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Maine Mendoza, Carren Eistrup, Miles Ocampo and Atasha Muhlach, collectively known as "Legit Dabarkads". 
TVJ were recognized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines - Bureau of Legal Affairs (IPOPHL-BLA) as the rightful owners and originators of the trademarks, Eat Bulaga! and its abbreviation EB.
==History==
===Radio Philippines Network (1979–89)===
Production Specialists, Inc., a company owned by Romy Jalosjos, came up with an idea of creating a noontime show for Radio Philippines Network. Antonio Tuviera pitched that Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, would be the "perfect" hosts for the show. At a meeting at the InterContinental Manila, Tuviera made an offer to them which was accepted. De Leon coined the term "Eat Bulaga" as the title of the show and owns its copyright.
Eat Bulaga! premiered on July 30, 1979, with its pilot episode filmed in RPN Live Studio 1 in Broadcast City, Quezon City. Chiqui Hollman and Richie D'Horsie also served as the original hosts. The theme song was written by Vincent Dy Buncio and Pancho Oppus, while melody was composed by Vic Sotto and musically arranged by Homer Flores. During the show's first few months, it was in the brink of cancellation due to competition and lacked of advertisers, despite having their advertising rates reduced to ₱750 and the hosts' lack of salary for over a year.
De Leon said that he, Tito Sotto and Vic Sotto didn't 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 2 years, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and de Leon decided to stay with the show. The show gained top-rating status in 1980 with the segment "Mr. Macho". Production Specialists went bankrupt and was dissolved sometime in July 1980, the production of the show later handed over to TAPE, Inc. on July 7, 1981. In 1982, Coney Reyes joined the show as the newest host.
During the People Power Revolution, the show went off the air from February 27, 1986, to March 1, 1986, as the transmitter of RPN had been shut down. In 1987, Aiza Seguerra joined the show after Little Miss Philippines. The show left Broadcast City on December 2, 1987, and transferred to Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City on December 3, 1987. The network was also beset by periodical change of management, leading to Tony Tuviera's decision to conduct negotiations with then-fledgling network ABS-CBN to eventually transfer the show.
===ABS-CBN (1989–95)===
In 1989, Eat... Bulaga! moved to ABS-CBN under a co-production agreement due to problems brought about by the sequestration of RPN. On February 18, 1989, the show premiered on ABS-CBN and was staged at Araneta Coliseum, with a TV special titled Eat... Bulaga!: Moving On. After its transfer to ABS-CBN, the show started airing from ABS-CBN Studio 1 at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center. During the show's special occasions, they were allowed usage of the network's Studio 2 as a venue. The show's tenth anniversary was held on September 23, 1989, at Araneta Coliseum. In 1991, Ruby Rodriguez and Rio Diaz became regular co-hosts. In 1994, ABS-CBN attempted to buy the airing rights of the show from TAPE Inc. Antonio Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar rejected the offer, leading to the network giving an ultimatum to the show to leave the network in January 1995.
===GMA Network (1995–2024)===
In 1994, the show moved out of ABS-CBN Studio 1 and relocated to Celebrity Sports Plaza in preparation for its transfer to GMA Network. A contract signing between TAPE Inc. and GMA officials was held at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila on January 19, 1995. The show premiered on GMA Network on January 28, 1995, with a TV special titled Eat... Bulaga!: The Moving!.
Toni Rose Gayda, Allan K., Samantha Lopez, and Francis Magalona became hosts in 1995, and Anjo Yllana in 1998. In 2000, Eat Bulaga! became the first noontime variety program to award millions of prizes through its Laban o Bawi segment, gaining instant popularity among viewers. Wally Bayola joined the show but was initially cast as an off-screen jester host who entertained the studio audience during commercial breaks and announced introductions for the show's segments. In May 2001, Magalona was removed from the show following his arrest for drug possession, and Janno Gibbs served as his replacement while Paolo Ballesteros joined the show as co-host for the U-Bet segment, a university student pageant hosted in remote locations with Derek Ramsay and Phoemela Baranda visiting campuses nationwide. In 2002, Magalona returned to the show after acquittal and rehabilitation, and ratings increased due to the popularity of the SexBomb Dancers and Sige!!! Ano...Kaya Mo?!? Sakmo! segment. In 2003, Jose Manalo became a regular co-host on the show after serving as production assistant and floor director in 1994 and 1999, respectively. The 25th year celebration of the show was aired on November 19, 2004, from Expo Pilipino. It won the Best Entertainment (One-Off/Annual) Special at the Asian Television Award in Singapore on December 1, 2005. The presentation, titled Eat Bulaga! Silver Special, was broadcast on November 27 and 29, 2004.
In 2006, the SexBomb Girls left the show due to a dispute with the show's producers and they were replaced by the EB Babes. In March 2007, the SexBomb Girls returned to the show but left for good in 2011, while the EB Babes remained regular performers on the show until 2019. In September 2007, de Leon started an on-screen feud with Willie Revillame, which led to the Hello Pappy scandal.
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. Ryan Agoncillo joined the show later in 2009 and the show's 30th anniversary special Tatlong Dekads ng Dabarkads aired. In 2014, Lenten drama specials returned and an annual awards ceremony, the Dabarkads Awards, was first held.
In July 2015, the love team AlDub, consisting of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, started along with the segment Kalyeserye. The show tripled its Mega Manila and nationwide television ratings and became a daily trending topic on the social media network Twitter worldwide. The show held 10 out of 10 highest-rated episodes in 2015. The show held a benefit concert at the Philippine Arena on October 24, 2015. Dubbed as Tamang Panahon, its hashtag #ALDubEBTamangPanahon reached 41 million tweets, becoming the most used hashtag within 24 hours on Twitter. The segment Kalyeserye concluded on December 17, 2016, with a total of 400 episodes.
On December 8, 2018, the show moved its live studio location to APT Studios in Cainta, Rizal. 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. The show resumed its programming on June 8, 2020. In August 2020, Anjo Yllana was permanently laid off from the show, followed by Ruby Rodriguez in May 2021. On October 2, 2021, Maja Salvador joined the show to host the new segment "DC 2021", followed by Miles Ocampo, who was introduced as the newest cast member on March 30, 2022. On February 21, 2023, Carren Eistrup joined the show after winning the reality competition segment Bida Next.
====Conflict between TVJ and Jalosjos-led TAPE Inc.====
The new management of TAPE Inc. has decided to suspend its production on May 31 until June 3, 2023, after the original hosts—Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon—announced that they would part ways with them. Fellow hosts of the show — Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo and Allan K. — and production members filed their resignation on the same day. Host Carren Eistrup, also confirmed her resignation on June 8. On June 7, 2023, TVJ announced their partnership with TV5 for a new noontime program, which would premiere on July 1, 2023 as E.A.T.
The conflict coincided over a number of matters, including the forced retirement of Tony Tuviera as top executive of TAPE, the planned rebranding of Eat Bulaga!, the replacement of longtime mainstay hosts and top-rated segments, and the salary reduction of the entire production team. Romeo "Jon-jon" Jalosjos Jr., former representative of the 1st district of Zamboanga del Norte, took over as TAPE's CEO and President following the retirement of Tuviera, while his sister Soraya Jalosjos serves as the Vice President of Administration and their half-brother, incumbent Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick "Bullet" Jalosjos, as the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
From June 5, 2023 to January 5, 2024, TAPE Inc. and GMA Network continued to use Eat Bulaga! as the title of their noontime show alongside new hosts and segments, pending the decision of the IPOPHL regarding a petition from Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon to cancel TAPE Inc.'s Eat Bulaga trademark. Temporarily, 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.
In a decision dated December 22, 2023, announced on January 5, 2024, the Marikina City Regional Trial Court Branch 273 ordered both TAPE Inc. and GMA Network to immediately cease the usage of the trademarks such as "EB", "Eat Bulaga," and the Eat Bulaga! theme song, for its current programming, as the petition of De Leon, Tito Sotto, and Vic Sotto regarding its copyright case for the trademark "Eat Bulaga" was granted.
=== TV5 (since 2024) ===
On January 6, 2024, the show returned with its original hosts, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon, this time under TVJ Productions, Inc. and TV5. It succeeded E.A.T. on the same network, with the rest of its final hosts, including Atasha Muhlach who joined in September 2023, also becoming part of the show.
On the same day, it began its Saturday broadcast on CNN Philippines, marking its return to its original network formerly known as Radio Philippines Network.
==Current hosts==
* Tito Sotto 
* Vic Sotto 
* Joey de Leon 
* Jose Manalo 
* Allan K. 
* Wally Bayola 
* Paolo Ballesteros 
* Ryan Agoncillo 
* Ryzza Mae Dizon 
* Maine Mendoza 
* Miles Ocampo 
* Carren Eistrup 
* Atasha Muhlach 
=== Featuring ===
* TVJ Singing Queens 
* Pedro Busita Jr. and the Hollow Blacks Band 
===Former cast===
* Aicelle Santos 
* Aiko Melendez 
* Ai-Ai delas Alas 
* Alden Richards 
* Alexa Miro 
* Alfie Lorenzo
* Ali Sotto 
* Alicia Mayer 
* Amy Perez 
* Anjo Yllana 
* Ariana Barouk 
* Arra San Agustin 
* BJ Forbes 
* Baste Granfon 
* Betong Sumaya 
* Bianca Umali 
* Boom Boom Pow Boys 
* BPop Idols 
* Buboy Villar 
* Carmina Villaroel 
* Cassy Legaspi 
* Ces Quesada 
* Charo Santos-Concio 
* Chariz Solomon 
* Chiqui Hollman 
* Christine Jacob 
* Ciara Sotto 
* Cindy Kurleto 
* Coney Reyes 
* Cumbacheros 
* Daiana Menezes 
* Daniel 'Tugue Zombie' Oke 
* Dasuri Choi (최다슬) 
* Dawn Zulueta
* Derek Ramsay 
* Dencio Padilla 
* Diana Zubiri 
* Dingdong Avanzado 
* Donita Rose 
* Donna Cruz 
* EB Babes 
* Echo Calingal 
* Edgar Allan Guzman 
* Eric Quizon 
* Francis Magalona 
* Gladys Guevarra 
* Glaiza de Castro 
* Gretchen Barretto 
* Helen Gamboa 
* Helen Vela 
* Herbert Bautista 
* Ice Seguerra 
* Isabelle Daza 
* Isko Moreno 
* Iza Calzado 
* Janice de Belen 
* Janno Gibbs 
* Jaya 
* Jenny Syquia 
* Jericho Rosales 
* Jimmy Santos 
* Joey Albert
* Jomari Yllana 
* John Prats
* Joyce Jimenez 
* Joyce Pring 
* Julia Clarete 
* K Brosas 
* Jervi "KaladKaren" Li 
* Keempee de Leon 
* Kimpoy Feliciano 
* Kitty Girls 
* Kokoy de Santos 
* Kris Aquino 
* Lady Lee 
* Lana Jalosjos 
* Lance Serrano 
* Lani Mercado 
* Larry Silva 
* Leonard Obal 
* Lougee Basabas 
* Luane Dy 
* Maja Salvador 
* Malaya Macaraeg 
* Manilyn Reynes 
* Marian Rivera 
* Maricel Soriano 
* Maureen Wroblewitz 
* Mavy Legaspi 
* Michael Sager 
* Michael V. 
* Michelle van Eimeren 
* Mickey Ferriols 
* Mitoy Yonting 
* MJ Lastimosa 
* Music Hero Band 
* Niño Muhlach 
* Nova Villa 
* Ogie Alcasid 
* Onemig Bondoc 
* Paolo Contis 
* Patricia Fernandez 
* Patricia Tumulak 
* Pauleen Luna 
* Pepe Pimentel 
* Phoemela Baranda 
* Pia Guanio 
* Pops Fernandez 
* Rachel Ann Wolfe
* Randy Santiago 
* Raqi Terra 
* Richard Hwan 
* Richie D'Horsie 
* Rio Diaz 
* Robert Ortega
* Rosanna Roces 
* Ruby Rodriguez 
* Ruffa Gutierrez 
* Ruru Madrid 
* Sam Y.G. 
* Samantha "Gracia" Lopez 
* Sarah Lahbati 
* SexBomb Girls 
* Sharon Cuneta 
* Sherilyn Reyes-Tan 
* Sheryl Cruz 
* Shine Kuk (국선영) 
* Solenn Heussaff 
* Sugar Mercado 
* Sunshine Cruz 
* Taki Saito 
* Tanya Garcia 
* Tetchie Agbayani 
* That's My Bae 
* Toni Gonzaga 
* Toni Rose Gayda 
* Universal Motion Dancers 
* Val Sotto 
* Valerie Weigmann 
* Vina Morales
* Winwyn Marquez 
* Yasser Marta 
* Yoyong Martirez 
* Zoren Legaspi 
==Show segments==
===Current/Active Segments===
====Sugod Bahay, Mga Kapatid!====
Sugod Bahay, Mga Kapatid! is a public service segment primarily hosted by Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, and Paolo Ballesteros, collectively known as the "JoWaPao," while Miles Ocampo, Ryan Agoncillo, and Maine Mendoza serve as substitute hosts. The segment's concept is derived from the popular EB segment "Juan for All, All for Juan: Sugod-Bahay sa Barangay," where hosts provide assistance and prizes to locals.
====Gimme 5: Laro ng mga Henyo====
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 EBs popular segment, Pinoy Henyo.
The segment features Ellen, a Hollywood AI character, serves as co-host, providing contestants with detailed explanations of each round's mechanics along with her AI family members Papa Ethan Allen, Mommy Jowzee, Lola Belen, Lolo Ethan Allan, Nanny Nina, her AI boyfriend Brad and his friends Tim, Vin and Joe. Each AI-generated character has a comical resemblance with the hosts.
Atasha Muhlach portrayed Ellen's sister Tash and their other sister, Len Len. Wally Bayola, played as Lola Belen, based on his role as Lola Nidora in Kalyeserye. and later as Papa Ethan Allen, with Jimmy Santos as his personal driver. Jose Manalo was introduced as Mommy Jowzee. Allan K. and Paolo Ballesteros were revealed as Lolo Ethan Allan and Nanny Nina/Brad while Maine Mendoza unexpectedly portrayed Ellen. Ryzza Mae Dizon also joined as Ellen and Tash's cousin named Samantha.
====Peraphy====
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 Drillon, Sammy Rascal, and Khayzy Bueno), who handles the playing cards. The segment shares similarities with EBs segment Hi-Lo Todo Panalo and is based on the American television game show, Card Sharks.
===Former/Inactive Segments===
===="Mr. Cutie: Boys Got Talent"====
Mr. Cutie: Boys Got Talent is a talent search for handsome, confident, and talented young men based on EBs original segment Mr. Pogi, which aims to discover the next heartthrob sensation. Lance Aceron was named the grand winner of the segment on January 20, 2024.
==Ratings==
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 special.
==Controversies==
* On September 2, 2013, a video of host, Wally Bayola, was posted online where he appeared to be having an affair with an EB Babe dancer. It led to Bayola's immediate suspension from the show for five months. He returned to the show on February 8, 2014.
* On September 5, 2013, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) called the show's producers for a mandatory conference over "insensitive and unfriendly" scenes involving hosts Vic Sotto and Ryzza Mae Dizon.
* On July 9, 2016, MTRCB summoned the show's personnel after the remarks of host Tito Sotto's during the Juan for All, All for Juan segment, where a contestant shared her past sexual abuse, leading to accusations of Sotto promoting rape culture and victim shaming.
* In October 2017, host Joey De Leon apologized after his statement in the show, about depression as a "made-up illness". He said his family explained the seriousness of his statements on the mental illness that has claimed thousands of lives.
* On May 31, 2023, the show's original hosts – Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon announced their resignation from TAPE Inc. after they were barred from airing the show live. It was followed by the resignation of the show's other hosts and production members. In August 2023, it led to an investigation by the MTRCB to ensure compliance on broadcasting regulations.
* On June 2, 2023, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, filed a petition for the cancellation of TAPE Inc.'s trademark renewal for the title "Eat Bulaga!". On December 5, 2023, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines' Bureau of Legal Affairs cancelled the trademark renewal and credited Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and de Leon as the owner of the title "Eat Bulaga!".
* On June 30, 2023, original hosts of the show – Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon filed a copyright infringement and unfair competition case against TAPE Inc. and GMA Network for "unauthorized airing" of the show and "misuse" of the title Eat Bulaga!. On January 6, 2024, the Regional Trial Court branch 273 of Marikina ordered TAPE Inc. and GMA Network to cease the usage of the trademarks such as EB, Eat Bulaga and the Eat Bulaga theme song, in its programming, as the petition of De Leon, Tito Sotto and Vic Sotto on its copyright case was granted.
* On September 9, 2023, TAPE Inc. gained access to the YouTube account of the show, while Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon planned to file legal action against TAPE Inc. for its "forced" acquisition of the YouTube account, an action deemed to constitute as cybercrime.
==Spin-offs==
Internationally, Eat Bulaga! Indonesia premiered on July 16, 2012 on SCTV Indonesia, and later The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia at ANTV on November 17, 2014. 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 it premiered on Mizzima TV on May 31, 2021.
==See also==
* List of accolades received by Eat Bulaga! 
* TVJ Productions 
Category:Eat Bulaga!
Category:1979 Philippine television series debuts
Category:ABS-CBN original programming
Category:GMA Network original programming
Category:Filipino-language television shows
Category:Radio Philippines Network original programming
Category:Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:Television series by TAPE Inc.
Category:Television controversies in the Philippines
Category:TV5 (Philippine TV network) original programming