Eat Bulaga!, often referred to as “EB” by its loyal fans, first graced Philippine television screens on July 30, 1979. The 44-year-old noontime show is known for its variety of segments ranging from talent competitions to comedy sketches and game shows. What sets Eat Bulaga! apart from other TV programs is its ability to connect with the audience on a personal level.

The hosts, fondly called the “Dabarkads,” have become household names and are beloved by viewers nationwide. With their infectious energy and quick wit, they have managed to create a sense of camaraderie that draws people in day after day. Despite its success, Eat Bulaga! has not been immune to controversies over the years. These controversies have ranged from minor slip-ups during live shows to more serious issues behind the scenes.

Let’s take a closer look at seven such instances that have left audiences buzzing with curiosity and concern.

Cheating in “Pinoy Henyo”

Photo by SCREENSHOT.

The video clip of this segment immediately went viral, and the internet did not like that the couple won the game and the prize by using a dishonest tactic. The couple were interviewed in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, where they denied that the intended to cheat. Then in a subsequent episode, host Joey de Leon warned against cheaters. “Akalain niyo, itong ‘Pinoy Henyo’ ay pasukan ng mandaraya rin. Kaya inuulit natin, kahit anong laro pa yan, pag nandaya kayo, wala na yung fun,” he said.

Wally Bayola’s Suspension

The world of the Dabarkads was rocked in September 2013 when a salacious video of one of the show’s hosts went viral. In the scandalous video, host Wally Bayola was shown having sex with one EB Babe dancer. Equally scandalous was the fact that Wally was then married with five children, and that there were no clues that he had a relationship with the dancer, before the video came out.

The video led to Wally’s immediate suspension from the show. But it was not a long suspension; he was suspended for five months, and returned on the show in February 2014. Wally talked about the video scandal on an exclusive interview with PEP.ph. He said he considered taking his own life after the incident, because it affected his family. He had a child that was undergoing treatment for cancer, and had no way to get the funds needed for the treatment. Thankfully, his family stood by him and he was able to get his act together and return to Eat Bulaga!.

Paolo Ballesteros Gets Suspended for Facebook Posts?

In March 2016, host Paolo Ballesteros suddenly was absent on the show’s episodes. Rumors alleged that Paolo was suspended because of his posts on Facebook where he publicly rebuked one of the show’s staff. On March 10, Paolo and other Eat Bulaga! hosts were scheduled to host a big event in Subic. When they arrived at the venue, they did not find a staff to assist them. This irked Paolo, leading him to fight the staff by posting about it on his Facebook page.

One of his posts said, “Akalin mo yon??? Isang oras at kalahati na kame nakahiga sa room namen? Hanggang ngayon wala pa reng nagsasabe samen kung anong oras at anong mga kaganapan??? Nakapagrant nako nyan dito sa fb ha! Waw. Titigas ng mga mukha nyo ha.” The next day, Paolo did not appear in Eat Bulaga! Was he suspended? TAPE Inc refused to confirm the matter, and only said it is an issue that they wanted to resolve internally.

Was Jose Manalo Suspended From Eat Bulaga!?

It was Jose Manalo’s turn in July 2017, when he also suddenly disappeared from the episodes without any explanation. The rumors alleged that the comedian was given a one-week suspension because he had an altercation where he allegedly punched his co-host Wally. Other speculations alleged that the suspension was due to Jose’s tardiness. TAPE Inc., however, denied the rumors, and said Jose was just taking a vacation in the United States.

Joey De Leon and Mental Health

On October 5, 2017, the internet grilled host Joey de Leon for his statement on mental health. When a contestant on that day’s episode mentioned that her mother was suffering from depression, Joey alleged that the condition was not real. “Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila,” he said. This led to this reply from Main Mendoza: “Hindi biro yang depression. Hindi siya joke. “Hindi, kasi maraming nakakaranas ng ganun lalo na sa mga kabataan. Kaya pag may nakakaranas ng ganun, kailangan natin bigyan ng suporta.”

Despite this, Joey doubled down on his statement. “Wala nagpapasosyal lang iyan. Pag mayaman, depression. Pag mahirap, wala, wala nang pag-asa.” The internet agreed with Maine and praised her for correcting Joey on air. Many also did not like how insensitive Joey’s statement came across, and they demanded for an apology. The next day, Joey apologized on the show. He said his wife and kids even criticized him. “Ako’y humihingi ng paumanhin sa mga napaitan sa mga nabanggit ko, at humihingi ng inyong pang-unawa,” he said.

MTRCB Warning Over Victim-Shaming Remarks

In July 2016, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) summoned Eat Bulaga!’s officials after one of its hosts made a controversial remark on air. On the July 9 episode, one winner of the show’s “Juan for All, All for Juan” segment narrated a painful experience where she was raped after getting drunk. In response, host Tito Sotto remarked, “Kababae mong tao, pa-shot shot ka?” Then Jose added, “Ano ang suot mo? Naka-shorts ka, ‘no?” Viewers and users did not like the hosts’ responses, tagging them as insensitive and examples of victim-blaming.

The MTRCB then summoned the Eat Bulaga! management for a dialogue, because the responses may have been violated gender sensitivity laws. In the end, the issue was resolved when Tito attended the dialogue with MTRCB. In a statement, Tito denied that he was victim-blaming. “She was not a victim. She was a winner. She never said or admitted that she was abused by anyone. It was simple jealousy of the husband because she always does ‘pa-shot shot.’ Her son said so, too,” he said.

MTRCB Protects Ryzza Mae Dizon

The last entry in this list involves Vic Sotto and then child star Ryzza Mae Dizon. On the July 29, 2013 episode of Eat Bulaga!, a comedy segment with the two hosts ended with a practical joke where the older host spat the juice that he was drinking on the child’s face. Ryzza Mae was only eight years old at the time. The MTRCB did not like this incident, and summoned the show’s management over it. The government agency alleged that this scene may have violated Ryzza Mae’s dignity as a child.

Later on, Eat Bulaga!’s management admitted lapses, and promised to collaborate with MRCB and GMA-7 to protect the child star from harm. Fast forward to present day, Ryzza remains to be part of the “legit Dabarkads” in their new noontime show on TV5 called EAT… At the height of the controversial rift between the triumvirate of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon versus the Jalosjos brothers of TAPE Inc., the former senator revealed that Ryzza was among the hosts that TAPE wanted to remove from the show. Tito said, however, that he and Vic fought for Ryzza to stay up until TVJ decided to resign from TAPE on May 31, 2023.

While Eat Bulaga! has found a new home in TV5, its future is still uncertain. There are still questions about its move to the Kapatid channel. Will it net the same level of viewership as when it was in GMA-7? The same amount of sponsorships? The same impact on Filipino viewers and society in general? The answer? Most likely. This is not the first time that Eat Bulaga! has faced a controversy.

It has even dealt with worse, but it continues to survive and earn the title as the country’s longest-running noontime show. Eat Bulaga! continues to evolve with changing times while staying true to its mission of bringing smiles and entertainment into people’s lives. As it moves forward into an uncertain future filled with more challenges and controversies waiting ahead, one thing remains certain — Eat Bulaga! will continue to captivate audiences across generations with its unique brand of entertainment.