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Dabarkads forever: Celebrities who became part of 'Eat Bulaga!'

By Kristel Lagorza Published Jun 05, 2023 8:56 pm

First premiering on July 30, 1979, Eat Bulaga! has entertained viewers with its fun mix of skits, games, songs, and comedy improv. It was all laughs in every episode and it became one of the most highly-rated variety shows of the day. 

The noontime show was first launched in RPN-9 and it stayed with the network for nine years, before making its way to ABS-CBN where it stayed on air for six years. It then found its more “permanent” home in GMA Network for 28 years. 

Throughout those decades, numerous talents have found stardom, starting off as guests, performers, or hosts whose shine captivated the limelight. They eventually forged their own careers and found greater showbiz success in their respective projects. 

Here, we take a look back at some of the biggest names and the OGs that found their beginnings on Eat Bulaga! 

Ryzza Mae Dizon charmed audiences when she appeared on Little Miss Philippines in 2012. A year later, in 2013, she was given the opportunity to headline her own show.

2015 was all about “AlDub,” the love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. With the success of “Kalyeserye,” the two appeared in their own films and rom-com series.

Coney Reyes was part of Student Canteen, another noontime variety show on GMA-7 in 1975. In 1982, after 7 years, she jumped to "Eat Bulaga!" and became its first female co-host.

Ice Seguerra is one of the most notable "Eat Bulaga!" alumni. He shot to fame as the 3-year-old runner-up winner of Little Miss Philippines in 1987, and became a mainstay on the show.

Before becoming part of the roster of hosts of "Eat Bulaga!," Maja Salvador was already a multi-awarded actress.

Ryan Agoncillo, a host on "Eat Bulaga!" since 2009, received the Aliw Award for “Best Male Emcee” four times. In 2010, he cemented his status when he became a Hall of Fame awardee.

Pauleen Luna, also a Little Miss Philippines winner, found greater fame on "Eat Bulaga!" She joined the tilt in 1995 and it was then that she met her would-be, future husband, Vic Sotto.

Richie D’ Horsie, real name Ricardo Reyes, was the well-loved comedic sidekick of Tito, Vic, and Joey, and joined the Dabarkads in 1979.

Michael V was also part of the show's history. He, unfortunately, had to leave the show as a co-host due to scheduling conflicts and other creative commitments.

Paolo Ballesteros joined "Eat Bulaga!" in 2011 as a guest but his fame grew over the years due to his amazing talents and skills as a comedian, impersonator, and drag performer.

An "Eat Bulaga!" OG, Jimmy Santos became a loved presence on the show. He joined the Dabarkads in the ‘80s and became a household name. He's now in Canada.

Ruby Rodriguez was a female host on "Eat Bulaga!" in the ‘90s and was a true comedienne known for her bubbly personality. She joined the show when she was 25 and left after 31 years.

Francis M was also an "Eat Bulaga!" host in the ‘90s. He also worked on MTV Asia and Channel V Philippines as a VJ. He died in 2009 due to leukemia.

Christine Jacob, fondly called “Tintin,” was a host on "Eat Bulaga!" and a former competitive swimmer. She even participated in the Summer Olympics in 1984.

Before becoming a mainstay on "Eat Bulaga!," Julia Clarete debuted as an actress and singer in 1996. She had been a host for the noontime show since 2005.

Allan K was recruited to be part of the show when he was discovered by one of its producers while doing stand-up at a comedy bar. He soon became one of the key members of the Dabarkads.

There was no lack of romance on the "Eat Bulaga!" stage as Pia Guanio was also a reported love interest of Vic Sotto. But she was a true professional, making a name for herself as a host.

Iza Calzado is considered one of the most successful and versatile actresses on TV and film. She joined the "Eat Bulaga!" family in 2011.

Isabelle Daza has made a name for herself in the industry as a host and actress. Apart from "Eat Bulaga!," she also hosted "Party Pilipinas."

When Anjo Yllana joined "Eat Bulaga!" as a host, he was already an actor and performer. He resigned from the show in 2020, after 21 years onstage, and pursued a political career.

Ciara Sotto first appeared on "Eat Bulaga!" when she was six years old and became one of its mainstays from 2005 to 2012.

Theresa Mariano Onor, whose stage name is Teri Onor, was a widely-followed stand-up comedian and became part of the "Eat Bulaga!" cast from 2002 to 2007.

In 2009, Sam YG appeared on "Eat Bulaga!" for “Pinoy Henyo.” The audiences and execs were so taken by the experienced host that they invited him back to join the noontime show.

Cindy Kurleto was a darling on "Eat Bulaga!," working as a co-host from 2005 to 2007. She left the show on her own terms, but did return in 2009, but this time as a guest player on "Boom!"

Many remember Miles Ocampo as the cute, little girl on "Going Bulilit," the kiddie show on ABS-CBN. She flexed her acting chops as a talent under Star Magic and joined "Eat Bulaga!" in 2011.

Ruru Madrid became a co-host on "Eat Bulaga!" in 2015 and saw his star get brighter. He already had a budding career as an actor at the time.

The "Queen of Comedy" is best known for her blockbuster hits, "Ang Tanging Ina" and its sequels. But did you know that she was also a host on "Eat Bulaga!" from 1995-2000?

Derek Ramsay shot to stardom when he joined "Eat Bulaga!" in 2001 and co-hosted a segment called "Pool Watch." He later flexed his hosting chops on "The Amazing Race Philippines."

A former child star, Herbert Bautista hosted "Eat Bulaga!" from 1989 to 1992. He later ran and served as mayor of Quezon City from 2010 to 2019.

Jericho Rosales found stardom through the Mr. Pogi talent search in 1996. He won the tilt and over 20 years later, his career continues to thrive as an artist.

Toni Gonzaga became an "Eat Bulaga!" co-host in 2002 and left the show in 2005 to transfer to another network. She appeared on the show again as a guest in December 2022.

Ryzza Mae Dizon charmed audiences when she appeared on Little Miss Philippines in 2012. A year later, in 2013, she was given the opportunity to headline her own show.

2015 was all about “AlDub,” the love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. With the success of “Kalyeserye,” the two appeared in their own films and rom-com series.

Coney Reyes was part of Student Canteen, another noontime variety show on GMA-7 in 1975. In 1982, after 7 years, she jumped to "Eat Bulaga!" and became its first female co-host.

Ice Seguerra is one of the most notable "Eat Bulaga!" alumni. He shot to fame as the 3-year-old runner-up winner of Little Miss Philippines in 1987, and became a mainstay on the show.

Before becoming part of the roster of hosts of "Eat Bulaga!," Maja Salvador was already a multi-awarded actress.

Ryan Agoncillo, a host on "Eat Bulaga!" since 2009, received the Aliw Award for “Best Male Emcee” four times. In 2010, he cemented his status when he became a Hall of Fame awardee.

Pauleen Luna, also a Little Miss Philippines winner, found greater fame on "Eat Bulaga!" She joined the tilt in 1995 and it was then that she met her would-be, future husband, Vic Sotto.

Richie D’ Horsie, real name Ricardo Reyes, was the well-loved comedic sidekick of Tito, Vic, and Joey, and joined the Dabarkads in 1979.

Michael V was also part of the show's history. He, unfortunately, had to leave the show as a co-host due to scheduling conflicts and other creative commitments.

Paolo Ballesteros joined "Eat Bulaga!" in 2011 as a guest but his fame grew over the years due to his amazing talents and skills as a comedian, impersonator, and drag performer.

An "Eat Bulaga!" OG, Jimmy Santos became a loved presence on the show. He joined the Dabarkads in the ‘80s and became a household name. He's now in Canada.

Ruby Rodriguez was a female host on "Eat Bulaga!" in the ‘90s and was a true comedienne known for her bubbly personality. She joined the show when she was 25 and left after 31 years.

Francis M was also an "Eat Bulaga!" host in the ‘90s. He also worked on MTV Asia and Channel V Philippines as a VJ. He died in 2009 due to leukemia.

Christine Jacob, fondly called “Tintin,” was a host on "Eat Bulaga!" and a former competitive swimmer. She even participated in the Summer Olympics in 1984.

Before becoming a mainstay on "Eat Bulaga!," Julia Clarete debuted as an actress and singer in 1996. She had been a host for the noontime show since 2005.

Allan K was recruited to be part of the show when he was discovered by one of its producers while doing stand-up at a comedy bar. He soon became one of the key members of the Dabarkads.

There was no lack of romance on the "Eat Bulaga!" stage as Pia Guanio was also a reported love interest of Vic Sotto. But she was a true professional, making a name for herself as a host.

Iza Calzado is considered one of the most successful and versatile actresses on TV and film. She joined the "Eat Bulaga!" family in 2011.

Isabelle Daza has made a name for herself in the industry as a host and actress. Apart from "Eat Bulaga!," she also hosted "Party Pilipinas."

When Anjo Yllana joined "Eat Bulaga!" as a host, he was already an actor and performer. He resigned from the show in 2020, after 21 years onstage, and pursued a political career.

Ciara Sotto first appeared on "Eat Bulaga!" when she was six years old and became one of its mainstays from 2005 to 2012.

Theresa Mariano Onor, whose stage name is Teri Onor, was a widely-followed stand-up comedian and became part of the "Eat Bulaga!" cast from 2002 to 2007.

In 2009, Sam YG appeared on "Eat Bulaga!" for “Pinoy Henyo.” The audiences and execs were so taken by the experienced host that they invited him back to join the noontime show.

Cindy Kurleto was a darling on "Eat Bulaga!," working as a co-host from 2005 to 2007. She left the show on her own terms, but did return in 2009, but this time as a guest player on "Boom!"

Many remember Miles Ocampo as the cute, little girl on "Going Bulilit," the kiddie show on ABS-CBN. She flexed her acting chops as a talent under Star Magic and joined "Eat Bulaga!" in 2011.

Ruru Madrid became a co-host on "Eat Bulaga!" in 2015 and saw his star get brighter. He already had a budding career as an actor at the time.

The "Queen of Comedy" is best known for her blockbuster hits, "Ang Tanging Ina" and its sequels. But did you know that she was also a host on "Eat Bulaga!" from 1995-2000?

Derek Ramsay shot to stardom when he joined "Eat Bulaga!" in 2001 and co-hosted a segment called "Pool Watch." He later flexed his hosting chops on "The Amazing Race Philippines."

A former child star, Herbert Bautista hosted "Eat Bulaga!" from 1989 to 1992. He later ran and served as mayor of Quezon City from 2010 to 2019.

Jericho Rosales found stardom through the Mr. Pogi talent search in 1996. He won the tilt and over 20 years later, his career continues to thrive as an artist.

Toni Gonzaga became an "Eat Bulaga!" co-host in 2002 and left the show in 2005 to transfer to another network. She appeared on the show again as a guest in December 2022.

CLOSE

Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon announced they have parted ways with TAPE Inc. last May 31 after rumors about an Eat Bulaga! rebranding—and the trio getting fired—broke out amid financial losses. 

After the announcement, Eat Bulaga! staff members, including hosts, writers, sales, production, and cameramen, tendered their resignation.

It's been a sad departure, but all endings lead to new beginnings and we can all look forward to the next evolution of the show and its cast.

The noontime show went on with its live airing and introduced a new set of hosts, including Paolo Contis, Buboy Villar, Betong Sumaya, Alexa Miro, Cassy Legaspi, and Mavy Legaspi on Monday, June 5.

Tito, meanwhile, revealed in an interview earlier in the day that he—as well as Vic and Joey—are set to announce their "new home" on June 7.

He also stressed that TAPE Inc. does not own the program’s name as well as its segments. “For us, we follow, ika nga, the international rule. Even in the Supreme Court jurisprudence here in the Philippines and abroad, the creators are the owners.” 

“So, we will fight for it, we will continue with Eat Bulaga!” he said.