'Boys Night Out: Last Night Out' wraps up the show in nostalgia and gratitude
Who doesn’t want closure—especially for a show that became an on-air "barkada" to its listeners?
For 19 years, Boys’ Night Out was more than just a radio program. It was a late-night escape, a road-trip companion, and a safe space for laughter and honesty. Headlined by DJ Tony Toni, Slick Rick, and Sam YG—later joined by Gino Quillamor and Tin Gamboa—the show shaped an era of Philippine radio.
In September 2025, the show abruptly ended due to an issue with the new management over a "divisive" political topic, which Gamboa revealed in screenshots of a group chat. However unfortunate it may have been, the show has proven its lasting power and an eternal place in pop culture, surpassing a pandemic and remaining a go-to source for unfiltered talk before podcasts made it cool.
True to their word, the group finally delivered on their promise on Jan. 14. Despite a rainy delay back in November, the event—supported by Lighthouse Group—saw a sold-out crowd at XYLO at the Palace. "This is not goodbye," the show’s Instagram page shared. "The spirit of Boys' Night Out continues to live on through each of you."
After some waiting and a nostalgic montage, the hosts unabashedly walked to the stage, beginning with their classic opening: "The boys are out tonight! Yeah, men! They're listening... and watching. Hmmm... Sarap!" honking bells and a ringing bell in tow.
The show's banter began with everyone's favorite memory of the show, the hosts and the audience included. Memories flowed freely—from the lingering smell of tequila in the booth, to Slick Rick playing cupid for a future married couple, to DJ Tony Toni awkwardly chasing women with his pants down.
But perhaps the show’s most enduring symbol is Jojo, the bald, white-shirted “friend of the show,” whose life the hosts helped turn around. He later became infamous as the COVID "superspreader," unintentionally infecting employees, including the show's legendary trio, at a company party, causing multiple office floors to shut down.
A few icebreakers were played mid-show, including a Pinoy Henyo-like charade where Jojo has to guess three words, and a correct answer would merit a fortunate audience member a sponsored smartphone. Another is a dating game dedicated to Bueno, who, quite surprisingly, chooses a girl who shares a love for adventure over someone wild. Also, the two remaining girls underwent a kili-kili smell test, aka COVID check, staying true to BNO’s irreverent humor.
Addressing the elephant in the room of why BNO had to go after almost two decades, Bueno, a Magic 89.9 mainstay for more than two decades, spilled the tea that the show was to be dropped as part of the station's revamp and reshuffling of employees since 2024 under a new creative executive. The whole senior management, including him, was fired, with the show sustained by only Virata and Gamboa before its untimely end.
The hosts then expressed their utmost gratitude to everyone who came to the event, with Bueno discounting the possibility of another comeback.
"The hits, the follows, the tweets, the shares—it was overwhelming. And because of that, all of you are the reason we’re here tonight,” he said. "We'll probably never be on radio ever again, together collectively. So I want to thank you, guys."
"Miss all of you. Thank you for spending the Last Night Out with us," Sam YG added.
With a bit of a heartache, the hosts unceremoniously said their signature sign-offs one last time: "Once again, my name is Sam YG. My name is Slick Rick. My name is TonyToni. My name is Gino Quillamor. And my name is Tin Gamboa. We’re from Boys Night Out. YEAH, MEENN!!!”
Boys’ Night Out’s final party marks the end of an era in Philippine radio. While podcasts now dominate the sonic landscape, few have replicated the show’s trademark honesty, humor, and irreverence since the early 2000s. Whatever comes next, its spirit will endure in the hearts of its listeners and in the voices of those who dare to walk the path it paved.
