Jose Manalo Shares the Mindset That Shaped His Decades-long Run in Eat Bulaga
JOSE MANALO – Many viewers know Jose Manalo as one of the funniest personalities on Eat Bulaga, yet his journey to stardom began behind the scenes.
Veteran comedian Jose Manalo recently looked back on his long and colorful journey in the iconic noontime program Eat Bulaga, revealing that he never really saw his work on the show as a job even after spending more than three decades there.
During the latest episode of Toni Talks, which aired on Sunday, March 15, Jose reminisced about his humble beginnings in the program and how he gradually became one of the most beloved comedians on Philippine television. The actor-comedian shared that he started behind the scenes before eventually becoming a familiar face to viewers.
“Nag-start ako sa ‘Bulaga’ 1994 as a PA, audition master. […] Ako mage-screen, ako magpapasya kung babalik o kailan babalik. Tapos, ‘yon na, nag-floor director ako,” said Jose.
Before he became a regular personality on screen, Jose worked as part of the production team, handling auditions and helping screen potential contestants or talents for the show. His responsibilities later expanded when he became a floor director.
He added, “No’ng nag-floor director ako, lumalabas-labas na rin ako. Ako ‘yong legal na on-cam floor director.”
His natural humor and quick wit eventually caught the attention of the show’s veteran hosts, including Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon. Over time, Jose found himself becoming the subject of their jokes and playful banter, which unexpectedly paved the way for his rise as a comedian in the program.
Host Toni Gonzaga even pointed out how Jose stood out during those early moments.
The Ultimate Multimedia Star Toni Gonzaga said, “Kaya napansin si Kuya Jose, naalala ko no’n, ang galing mong sumagot. Nakakasagot ka sa kanila.”
Jose, however, humbly brushed off the compliment and said his reactions were simply the result of enjoying the moment and having fun with everyone on set.
“Hindi,” Jose said, “masaya lang kasi. No’ng napasok ako sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ hindi ko siya inisip na trabaho. Inisip ko parang naglalaro lang kami.”
That playful mindset, according to Jose, helped shape his long and successful career on the show.
Today, Eat Bulaga continues to be a staple of Filipino entertainment. Now in its 46th year on air, the program remains the longest-running noontime variety show in the Philippines since it first premiered in 1979, bringing laughter and joy to generations of viewers. Jose Manalo’s story stands as a testament to how passion, humility, and a love for making people laugh can turn even the simplest beginnings into a remarkable career.
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