(GMA) Genre: Variety show Channel: GMA Creator: Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. Hosts: Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and others Languages: Tagalog and English Running time: Approx. 1.5 hours (Monday - Friday) 2.5 hours (Saturdays) Started: July 30, 1979 Status: Running

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Eat Bulaga! (Bulaga means "surprise" in Tagalog, although it should not be taken as the literal translation of the word surprise--it's closest English equivalent is Peek-a-boo!) 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.

It is aired six days a week on early afternoons. The studio is located in Broadway Centrum, New Manila, Quezon City (near San Juan, Metro Manila).

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[ HISTORY ]

 

The longest running show on Philippine TV

Eat Bulaga premiered in 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 (aka Richie d' Horsie) as co-hosts.

The TV program innovated numerous concepts on Philippine television which were copied by rival TV programs. It moved from one station to another without losing its TV audience. Moreover, it is consistently recognized with awards from the local and foreign press and other organizations.

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

The show once again moved to another network, this time on GMA Network due to the fact that 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, the Kapamilya Network kicked "Bulaga" and its sister show, "Valiente" from its roster of shows and decided to produce its own noontime show ('Sang Linggo nAPO Sila). "Eat Bulaga" premiered on GMA on January 21, 1995. Incidentally it was also held at the Araneta Coliseum.

Eat Bulaga! celebrated its 25th year on television on October 2004 in 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.

On December 2004, the contract to air the show on GMA Network was extended until December 29, 2009.

Over the years, there has been talk that "Eat Bulaga" will transfer back to ABS-CBN or move to Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) every time their blocktime contract with GMA Network expired (2002 and 2004) but in the previous interviews, GMA executives led by Atty. Felipe Gozon and Jimmy Duavit have expressed their desire to keep the show for as long as they can. Main host 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. He is considered as a key asset to the Kapuso Network.

Eat Bulaga is considered by many as an institution because they have made many big stars out of many newcomers, also because it has been identified as a Filipino way of life as described by Tony Tuviera when they defeated MTV's Tsunami aid special on the Asian Television awards.

In 2006, the SexBomb Girls was out from the show due of some misunderstanding.

In January 2007, Gladys Guevarra resigned from the show, the reason for her departure is that she must undergo therapy. Though Eat Bulaga has been outrated many times by their competitors they still regains their lead in the ratings race a very strong proof of their might as an institution.

In 2007, Eat Bulaga was partially beaten in Mega Manila ratings by the rival show Wowowee, but they still remained unfazed by this because their ratings had just kicked backed and the high ratings of Wowowee is not consistent. However, this scenario is in Mega Manila area only. According to the latest AGB Nielsen Media Research Corporation Nationwide Urban TV Audience Measurement covering March 4-17, Wowowee leads the noontime pack in the whole country with 27.7% of audience share leaving Eat Bulaga with only 13% Nationwide. Moreover, Eat Bulaga still remained unfazed by this because the ratings for Mega Manila are the basis of advertisers since they are based in Mega Manila.

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[ THEME ]

The current theme is as follows:

In Filipino:

Mula Batanes Hanggang Jolo
Saan ka man ay halina kayo
Isang libo't isang tuwa
Buong bansa. .. Eat Bulaga!

Jazz Verse (Julia Clarete, Ciara Sotto, Pia Guanio, Janno Gibbs):

Sina Tito, Vic, at Joey
Barkada'y dumarami
Ooooh silang lahat ay nagbibigay
Ligaya sa ating buhay

Reggae Verse (Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola):

Buong bansa ay nagkakaisa
Sa tuwa't saya na aming dala

Pop Verse (EB Babes, Sugar Mercado, Mr. Pogi's):

Isang libo't isang tuwa
Buong bansa. ..

Rap Verse (Michael V, Francis Magalona):

Eat Bulaga!
Ito na humanda ang lahat
Sa dami ng papalag hindi mapapahamak
Tatlong bituin at isang araw
Sa Luzon, sa Visayas, sa Mindanao
Isa lang ang isinisigaw

Rock Verse (Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon):

Isang libo't isang tuwa
Buong bansa (buong mundo!)... Eat Bulaga!!!

English Translation:

From Batanes down to Jolo
Wherever you are come join us
One thousand and one laughs
The whole nation, Eat Bulaga!

Rap Verse:

Bulagaan every noontime gets hotter
Always imitated because it's full of gimmicks
In your heart brings nothing but happiness
The whole nation, come watch us
The whole nation is united
In the happiness that we bring
One thousand and one laughs
The whole nation, Eat Bulaga!
Tito, Vic and Joey
The gang is growing
All of them bring
Happiness in our lives
The whole nation is united
In the laughter and happiness that we bring
One thousand and one laughs
The whole nation, Eat Bulaga!

The original theme was launched in 1982 and was co-written by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon and arranged by Homer Flores, after Coney Reyes defected to Eat Bulaga from Student Canteen, which was preceded by the defection of Chiqui Hollman to Student Canteen. It goes:

Mula Aparri Hanggang Jolo
Saan ka man ay halina tayo
Isang libo't Isang tuwa
Buong bansa. .. Eat Bulaga
Sina Tito, Vic at Joey
Kasama pati si Coney
Silang apat ay nagbibigay
Ligaya sa ating buhay
Buong bansa ay nagkakaisa
Sa tuwa't saya na aming dala
Isang libo't isang tuwa
Buong bansa. .. Eat Bulaga!

When Aiza Seguerra joined the show in 1988, the second and third lines of the second stanza now goes "Si Aiza at si Coney/Silang lahat ay nagbibigay" (Aiza and Coney/They all give). The second and third lines of the stanza were still in effect even when Coney left the show in 1991 and some artists like Jimmy Santos, Christine Jacob, Ruby Rodriguez, Lady Lee and the late Rio Diaz have been added to the "Bulaga" cast.

When "Eat Bulaga" transferred to GMA Network, it changed the second line of the second stanza and omitted the names of Aiza and Coney from the lyrics, in response to the growing cast of "Eat Bulaga". Thus the familiar line now goes like this: "Barkada'y dumarami" (The gang is growing). However in 2003, that line was omitted when the SexBomb Girls did their own version of the "Eat Bulaga" theme. The line became "Buong tropa ay kasali" (The whole troop is included). But when the show revised the theme in time for its 25th anniversary in 2004 (rearranged by Louie Ocampo), where the whole "Eat Bulaga" cast sang, the line "Barkada'y dumarami" was included back in the lyrics.

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[ HOSTS ]

Tito, Vic, and Joey

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

Current Co-hosts:

Jimmy Santos (1980-present)
Ruby Rodriguez (1990-present)
Allan K. (1995-present)
Toni Rose Gayda(1996-present)
Jose Manalo (1996-present)
Francis Magalona (1997-present)
Anjo Yllana (1998-present)
Wally Bayola (2000-present)
Paolo Ballesteros (2002-present)
Janno Gibbs (2002 present)
Pia Guanio (2004-present)
Sugar Mercado (2006-present)
Michael V.
Kempee De Leon (2004-present)
BJ "Tolits" Forbes (2004-present)
Julia Clarete (2005-present)
Ciara Sotto (2005-present)
Pauleen Luna (2005-present)
Edgar Allan Guzman (2006-present)
Mark Ariel Fresco (2006-present)
Ryan Julio (2006-present)
Cindy Kurleto (2006-present)
EB Babes (2006-present)
Twinkie "Virtua-Host" (2006-present)
Mitoy (2006-present) (semi-regular)
Cindy Kurleto (2006-present)
Sexbomb Girls (only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)
Teri Onor (2002-present) but inactive due to running for candidacy for Vice-mayor in Bataan
Gladys Guevarra (some tabloids said that she will be rehired for Little Miss Philippines Q&A portion)

Previous Co-hosts:

Eat Bulaga hosts

Chiqui Hollman (1979-1988)
Coney Reyes (1982-1991)
Helen Vela
Helen Gamboa
Charo Santos (moved to ABS-CBN)
Tessie Tomas
Ces Quesada
Christine Jacob
Rio Diaz (1990-1993)
Grasya aka Samantha Lopez
Vanna Vanna
Joyce Jimenez
John Prats (moved to ABS-CBN)
Pops Fernandez
Sharon Cuneta (moved to ABS-CBN)
Kris Aquino (moved to ABS-CBN)
Ogie Alcasid
Plinky Recto
Nova Villa (moved to ABS-CBN)
Donita Rose
Angela Luz
Sunshine Cruz
Jao Mapa
Onemig Bondoc
Robin da Roza
Illac Diaz
Ruffa Gutierrez (moved to ABS-CBN)
Kristine Florendo
Bikoy Baboy (mascot)
Jaya
Michelle Van Eimeren
Fire (Ana Garcia and Soraya Sinsuat)
Inday Garutay
Mickey Ferriols (moved to ABS-CBN)
Bea Bueno
Camille Ocampo
Valentin
Rey Pumaloy - Aminin segment
Lady Lee
Elvin Salindo
Lalaine Edson (2000)
Derek Ramsey (moved to ABS-CBN)
Phoemela Barranda (moved to ABS-CBN)
Nadine Schimdt (winner from the segment TV Babes)
Gemma Neque Fitzgerald (winner from the segment TV Babes) (migrated to Australia) (moved to ABS-CBN)
Sherilyn Reyes
Angelu De Leon (moved to ABS-CBN)
Isabelle Granada
Bobby Andrews (moved to ABS-CBN)
Jericho Rosales (moved to ABS-CBN)
Stefanie Walmsley
Cogie Domingo
Danilo Barrios
Steven Claude Goyong
Dindin Llarena
Lana Asanin
Leila Kuzma (resigned)
Alicia Mayer
Toni Gonzaga (moved to ABS-CBN)
Gladys Guevarra (2000-2007)
Jackquiline Rivas better known for Jacky (performer first before joining the SexBomb Girls in 2002)

Winners

Game KNB's biggest winner was Jenny Apor (winner from Milyon-Milyon Na, Game KNB?") winning PHP 3,500,000 ($70,000) and her text partner. In total, that was PHP 7,000,000 or $140,000 in just one episode. In Game KNB?'s history it had a total of more than 40 millionares

Awards

Star Awards for TV: Best Game Show
Star Awards for TV: Best Game Show Host (Kris Aquino)
Anak TV Seal 2006: Most Well-Liked TV Programs