WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Eat Bulaga! Female Hosts Through the Years

The hosts of Eat Bulaga! have been providing entertainment to Filipino viewers for 40 years now.

The show withstood many changes since it premiered on RPN-9 on July 30, 1979. It aired on RPN-9 for 10 years and on ABS-CBN for six years before finally finding its home in GMA-7.

Aside from the TVJ triumvirate of Joey de Leon and brothers Tito and Vic Sotto, what made the show successful was the hosts’ perfect balance of talent and humor.

Let us look back on the Eat Bulaga! hosts who once made our lunch breaks more entertaining and fun.

Toni Rose Gayda

EB Stint: 1996 to 2014

Toni Rose became a constant figure in Eat Bulaga! starting 1996.

In every “Bulagaan” class, she was partnered with comedian and co-host Allan K.

However, after almost two decades—18 years to be exact—she left in 2014.

Where is she?

Toni Rose enjoys a more quiet life apart from the fact that she works for UNTV as host of ASOP Music Festival, an annual religious songwriting competition.

Chiqui Hollman

EB Stint: 1979 – 1981

According to reports, Chiqui wasn’t the original choice to become Eat Bulaga!‘s first female co-host

Producers were eyeing either Charo Santos and Tessie Tomas.

However, Charo declined the offer because she became too busy after winning Asia’s Best Actress for Mike De Leon’s film Itim.

Tessie, on the other hand, chose to pursue a scholarship grant in London instead of a full-time TV career.

After quitting Eat Bulaga!, Chiqui later resurfaced in rival shows such as Student Canteen and Lunch Date.

Chiqui officially retired from showbiz in 1988.

On that same year, she married Prandy Yulo.

Where is she now?

She prefers to shy away from the limelight, enjoying a more quiet life.

Chiqui’s daughter, Chia Yulo, also became an Eat Bulaga! co-host for a year.

Coney Reyes

EB Stint: 1982 – 1992

The then-29-year-old artist joined Eat Bulaga! in 1982 as the replacement of Chiqui Hollman.

Coney’s 10-year stint became an avenue to more opportunities and bigger projects.

Among her remarkable shows include her own drama anthology Coney Reyes on Camera and ABS-CBN’s 100 Days to Heaven, My Dear Heart, and Nathaniel.

Where is she now?

The veteran actress last appeared on television via Kapuso action-fantasy series Victor Magtanggol played by Alden Richards.

She’s also a supportive mom to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, her son with Vic Sotto.

She is set to be part of GMA-7’s upcoming drama series starring Rhian Ramos, Carla Abellana, and Mikael Daez.

Christine Jacob

EB Stint: 1990 – 1998

Before becoming a popular TV personality, Christine first brought pride to the Philippines by winning a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games’ swimming competition in Singapore in 1983.

With her tita on the show, the swimming champion was tapped to replace Coney Reyes alongside Millet Advincula.

Eventually, Christine got the nod to become a regular co-host.

Where is she now?

The TV personality hosted a rival noontime program, Magandang Tanghali Bayan, after leaving Bulaga!

She later opted to focus on her family life with husband Paco Sandejas and five children.

At present, she hosts TV shows for CNN Philippines.

Samantha Lopez

EB Stint: 1994 – 1997

Samantha, the popular round girl in the Rambulaga segment, was christened by mainstay Joey de Leon as “Gracia,” explaining that her role of carrying the winning numbers “brought in a lot of graces of heaven” to the lucky winners.

Her popularity paved the way for her to star in her own drama series titled Mia Gracia, which was produced by TAPE Inc., Eat Bulaga‘s producer.

Where is she now?

Her career in the show business did not last that long.

In an interview, she said, “Wala na akong regular show, and then on top of that wala na rin masyadong offers na movies.”

It was one of the main reasons why she flew to New York to work.

She later returned to showbiz and was able to get acting gigs as kontrabida in TV shows, such as in the 2018 drama series The Stepdaughters.

Samantha’s latest acting stint was in the 2019 film Because I Love You starring David Licauco and Shaira Diaz.

Gladys Guevarra

EB Stint: 1999-2007

Gladys shocked viewers when she chose to bid farewell to Eat Bulaga! in 2007.

Her manager Jun Nardo explained back then that her decision was solely based on “health conditions.”

In a column by Ricky Lo, he wrote, “Gladys is simply tired of doing a daily show. She does stage shows often late into the night, and it’s getting more and more difficult to be waking up every morning, very tired, and rushing to the studio (for Bulaga!).”

Coincidentally, it was suring this time when she and co-host Janno Gibbs reportedly had a relationship and broke up.

Where is she now?

Aside from her gigs, Gladys is now a mainstay of Kapuso variety show Sunday PINASaya.

Sugar Mercado

EB Stint: 2001-2002, 2004-2007

Sugar initially joined the show’s beauty segment “TV Babe.”

Although she lost the said competition, she was asked to sign up with the Sexbomb Girls, the main dance group of Eat Bulaga!

She made entertainment headlines in 2016 after she filed a lawsuit against her former husband who physically abused her.

Where is she now?

The proud mother of two is now focusing her attention on her lovely daughters.

She is currently one of Willie Revillame’s co-hosts in the Kapuso afternoon variety show, Wowowin.

Toni Gonzaga

EB Stint: 2002 – 2005

Prior to joining the noontime show, Toni was a member of Bubble Gang from 1998 to 2004.

Toni joined Eat Bulaga! a year after she became popular for 2001 commercial with Piolo Pascual.

After three colorful years with Eat Bulaga!, she opted to transfer to rival network ABS-CBN.

Where is she now?

The 35-year-old actress and host is now Mrs. Paul Soriano and a hands-on mom to their two-year-old son Seve.

Until now, Toni proudly calls herself a “dabarkads” as she credits the show for important hosting lessons she follows up to this day.

In a vlog titled “Reading Harsh Comments” by her sister Alex, Toni mused, “Natutunan ko dati sa Eat Bulaga, ang hosting daw is presenting your personality and who you are to the world.

“It’s presenting who you are, with conviction na dini-deliver mo yung what is asked of you, to tell your audience.”

Toni is about to wrap up her hosting job in Pinoy Big Brother on August 4, the same weekend when her new show, The Voice Kids, will air its pilot episode.

Diana Zubiri

EB Stint: 2003 – 2005

For Diana, Eat Bulaga! became a stepping stone to bigger projects such as her regular appearances in Bubble Gang, and her iconic role as Danaya in the 2005 TV series Encantadia.

Where is she now?

Diana enjoys the best of both worlds – show business and personal life.

She just recently finished the teleserye Dragon Lady, which aired right after Eat Bulaga!

She also enjoys her private life with husband Andrew Smith and two kids while focusing on their businesses.

Alicia Mayer

EB Stint: 2004 – 2006

A remarkable sultry actress during her time, Alicia’s pretty face graced the covers of numerous magazine covers.

Among her notable and remarkable roles were in shows such as Lagot Ka Isusumbong Kita, Saang Sulok Ng Langit, and Muli.

In 2007, Alicia made headlines when she posed for a vegetarianism campaign wearing only lettuce leaves to cover the very private parts of her body.

Where is she now?

Based in California, U.S.A, Alicia is now enjoying her time as a doting mom.

Cindy Kurleto

EB Stint: 2006 – 2007

Cindy’s brief stay in Eat Bulaga! was nonetheless memorable.

Despite the fact that she was at the peak of her career, the mestiza beauty decided to leave the country—and her booming career—to follow her heart.

Where is she now?

Eleven years after she left, Cindy revisited her former show and played in the “Boom” segment that was facilitated by Vic Sotto, her leading man in the Kapuso sitcom Daddy Di Do Du.

She returned to the Philippines in March 2019 for her Myra Ultimate endorsement.

For eight years, she lived in Lima, Peru with her family before relocating recently to Vienna, Austria.

Ciara Sotto

EB Stint: 2005 – 2007

The daughter of Tito Sotto made her first appearance on the show when she was six years old.

When she became a teenager, Ciara joined the TV series TGIS in GMA-7, and the teleserye Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan in ABS-CBN.

Years later, in 2005, she returned to Eat Bulaga! as a mainstay for two years.

Where is she now?

Despite her commitments here and there, Ciara gives more time to her four-year-old son Crixus and her Filipino-American boyfriend Ian Austin.

The celebrity mom also trains and teaches pole dancing.

Daiana Menezes

EB Stint: 2007 – 2012

Best known for her hosting stint in Eat Bulaga!, the Brazilian actress and model first appeared in various commercials internationally before making a name in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Leaving the show, she said, was a decision based on her career move at the time.

In 2012, she got married to Cagayan de Oro Representative Benjamin Benaldo in a civil ceremony in Las Vegas.

The next year, the Brazilipina made headlines when she revealed that her now-ex-husband has been abusing her.

Where is she now?

Browsing through her social media accounts, it is safe to say that the sexy actress and host has been enjoying her travels and modeling gigs.

Julia Clarete

EB Stint: 2005 – 2016

The Pinay beauty’s bubbly vibe made her popular during her Eat Bulaga! stint.

After all, she was the host who stayed the longest since 2005.

In January 2016, she shocked fans when she left the show without prior notice.

Julia said that she was unable to bid goodbye on the noontime show because things happened too fast.

Where is she now?

Julia is happily living in Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia, with her son Bean.

In 2017, she got married to long-time partner Gareth McGeown in a private ceremony in Ireland.

Isabelle Daza

EB Stint: 2011 – 2014

Daughter of Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, Isabelle instantly gained the attention of Filipino viewers with her Pinay beauty.

Aside from being an actress and host, she is also a product endorser, model, and magazine cover girl.

Before leaving the show in 2014, Isabelle took to Instagram to bid goodbye.

She wrote, “Just wanted to say thank you for an amazing 3 and a half years.

“It’s been such a wonderful journey growing with Eat Bulaga and I will treasure this my whole life.

“You guys have welcomed me and made me feel part of your family.

“Thank you for the constructive criticism and putting up with my singing and dancing and always pushing me to do my best.

“This show has taught me so much.

“I’m so lucky to have gotten the chance to get to know you all.

“It brings me great sadness to say goodbye, but you will always have a place in my heart.

“FOREVER EAT BULAGA.”

When Isabelle left Eat Bulaga!, she transferred to ABS-CBN and was able to do teleseryes, including the top-rating afternoon series Tubig at Langis in 2016.

Where is she now?

Aside from managing her businesses, Isabelle is very much active in the entertainment scene.

In September 2016, she tied the knot with Adrien Semblat in Tuscany, Italy, and is now a hands-on mom with their son Baby Baltie.

Isabelle will be part of the upcoming teleserye starring Bea Alonzo and Richard Gutierrez.

Patricia Tumulak

EB Stint: 2015-2017

The former beauty had her share of limelight when she earned the moniker “HBD Girl,” a segment in the show where she greeted people on their birthday.

She has been one of the show’s mainstays for more than a year.

However, in 2017, many were surprised when she decided to withdraw from the show saying that she wanted a change in her career.

Where is she now?

From time to time, the morena beauty can be seen in several Kapuso shows.

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Taki Saito

EB Stint: 2016-2017

A Filipina actress of Japanese-Brazilian descent, the young Taki started to develop her love for the craft when she attended an acting workshop with veteran Gina Alajar.

Her dancing and acting skills were maximized while she was still with the noontime show.

Where is she now?

She is now based in Shibuya, Japan, where she’s starting a new chapter in her life as one of the two newest members of the all-girls J-Pop group, Faky.

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Maureen Wroblewitz

EB Stint: 2018-2019

After being hailed as the first Filipina to win Asia’s Next Top Model (ASNTM), the Fil-German model fulfilled her grandmother’s wish by accepting the offer to co-host Eat Bulaga! She was introduced as “Sis Madam” in the segment “Boss Madam” featuring Ryzza Mae Dizon.

However, in a video uploaded in her YouTube channel on July 6, 2019, Maureen Wroblewitz confirmed that she’s no longer an Eat Bulaga! co-host.

She explained, “First is, I know a lot of you have been asking me about Eat Bulaga and I’m sorry to say that I’m not with them anymore.

“No hard feelings though! I’m so grateful for my experience there.

“Ang dami kong pangarap.

“Ang dami kong next projects at kailangan ko talaga mag-focus, mag-commit sa mga upcoming projects ko.”