Sunday, July 29, 2012

What the Government Can Learn from Eat Bulaga’s Success

33 years, 3 tv networks, dozens of awards, 2 records in Philippine TV (longest running noontime show and first tv show to be franchised by another country – Eat Bulaga Indonesia), millions of entertained viewers daily, that’s Eat Bulaga for you.


From its humble beginnings, nobody expected not even the TVJ trio that they would come this far. They started out as mere nobodies and clashing head on with the then popular noontime show, the defunct “StudentCanteen”, it’s quite unbelievable how Eat Bulaga becomes the iconic show that it is today. You are not a Filipino if you haven’t watched Eat Bulaga.

Will buy this one as an advance Christmas gift to self :)


There’s not much secret to their success. Their hard work, creativity and adaptability are being shown on national tv 6 times a week all year long. It’s not actually what they do but how they execute their show that makes it rise above the rest.


And with this rich and long history of Eat Bulaga, there’s just much knowledge and lessons for everyone to learn. Even our government, if they’ll observe closely how Eat Bulaga conduct their show, if they apply some of them to their processes then success will also be within reach.


1.  The genuine concern they are showing to the viewers and being in touch with realities in life is one of the unique characters Eat Bulaga has been showing in the past decades. They always reach out to people to get the feel of what they really need and want. While doing it, we’ll never see them exploit their situation. Whenever a contestant tries to gain the pity of the viewers by sharing their “sad stories” and personal drama, EB brushes it off by doing something comical, gives the prizes and encourages them to work harder/finish their studies/start a business with the prize they received. Unlike with most politicians and other tv shows where photo ops with the poverty stricken masses while portraying their “concern” as part of their publicity is the usual thing.


2.  We can also see diversity in EB contests. They have segments for males (Mr. Pogi), Females (She’s got the look) and in betweens (Super Sireyna). Even for kids (That’s my boy and Little Ms. Philippines), extra sized ladies (Feeling Sexy) and for the not-so-good looking but very confident males (Feeling Pogi), Eat Bulaga also have them. They give everyone their chances but maintaining the balance that nobody can have everything . They do not discriminate whether you belong to the poorest of the poor, within the middle working class or even if you’re from a well off background. Eat Bulaga gives everyong the chance to win. We all deserve to win free-money right? This should be the mindset of the government with their legislations of bills. Just like the saying “The law must apply to all, otherwise none at all”.

Trivia regarding the "EAT BULAGA" title from the Henyo

3.  One specific idea that I like is with the “Bossing Savings”. This is a part of the “All for Juan, Juan for All” segment where Jose, Wally and Paolo give the winner a savings account. The amount is not disclosed to the viewers. They instruct the winner how to withdraw and that they should also try to save money with it. And at the end of the year and they were able to save and grow the money with their account, Eat Bulaga will give them an additional gift. This should be how the CCT or Conditional Cash Transfer program of the Aquino Admin be done. They should not just dole out cash to the needy but monitor and encourage them to grow this fund. They can provide further incentives (maybe a free government service or tax exemption) to those who made a living from the funds they receive thru CCT.


4.  Another important attribute we can observe is that the hosts act naturally. Especially the trio; Tito, Vic and Joey who never wear make ups in the show ever since, are always very candid in their hosting. They speak out their minds and they are very strict on game rules. And that kind of character commands respect. Hope our government does the same.


Though, Eat Bulaga is not perfect. They have their share of embarrassing moments, blunders and errors. And they were honest enough to accept all of these and then act on it rather than blaming others. There were host suspensions, public apologies, etc. But behind all these mistakes, the people are still behind them. And if only we have government acting like this, I just can’t imagine how the majority of the people cannot support it at all.

20 comments:

  1. I'm not usually a fan of Eat Bulaga, I've watched it for some time, but I did not really like the show. However, what you wrote, I started to realize as I read the post.

    I like this the most: "Whenever a contestant tries to gain the pity of the viewers by sharing their “very sad stories” and personal drama, EB brushes it off by doing something comical, gives the prizes and encourages them to work harder/finish their studies/start a business with the prize they received. Unlike with most politicians and other tv shows where photo ops with the poverty stricken masses while portraying their “concern” as part of their publicity is the usual thing."

    Which is certainly true. I know (and I think you, too) a show which always feature some poor people, with crying and everything, with the host aggravating the pity to the person, which I think is somewhat degrading for the contestant. Pero what's more saddening is some people really do cry and make a big thing out of something just to be featured, and they end up either being humiliated, or are given the same prize as if their "drama" is not even seen.

    I actually am cool with Vic Sotto as the host of the show, but not with Joey de Leon. I think that somewhat, he steps out of his boundaries and say/do what is not intended to be said (for me.) But don't get me wrong. I am proud of the show, and will always be.

    That's why, I have the Pinoy Pride. (Segway lang. Haha)

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    1. I'm not a fan of EB either but from an objective point of view, they somewhat sympathize with the audience, especially to the poor. But for a business point of view, wooing the masses, particularly the poor community, more people gather at the site and eventually they are exposed to a lot of adverts many companies like coca cola and other grocery brands you'd find in the store.

      This scheme has always been effective. Advertisers fund the show, the show builds audience and boom! you have mass sales, not to mention the publicity of both the prodcut and its brand but also the celebrities who endorse it.

      If the government were to become like Eat Bulaga's, it could be just another publicity stunt for the politicians, bragging about the generosity when in fact what their giving back to the people isn't their own money.

      EAT BULAGA is a good show, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES OF THE COIN. and the people only look at ONE SIDE OF IT.

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    2. @Ventocosseus, onga. Meron nga talagang ganong ibang shows and politicians. Exploiting the masses para makakuha ng following. Well, it's their style and it's effective for him/them kaya tinutuloy tuloy siguro nila. kinakagat din kasi siguro ng marami. :)

      @Jade, If the govt does what EB is doing now, we won't see the politicians faces on tarpaulines but rather, they will put our names because it's actually us tax payers who are putting money in their projects. Just like what EB is doing, they will not forget to put the advertisers' logo and mention their companies' name.

      And there are indeed a lot of bad things mentioned and discussed regarding the show (which i think I also mentioned in my post). You were right that there are 2 sides of the coin... and I'm presenting the other one. Thanks for dropping by. :)

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  2. i agree especially dun sa sincerity at hindi nila paggamit sa mahihirap para papogi. that's why i look up then kay bossing. silent type siya pero once na magsalita lalo na pag seryoso pakikinggan mo.

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    1. Bossing bossing bossing! hehehe, onga. sana wag talaga siya pumasok sa politics :)

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    2. If he does, will you hate him for that?

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    3. no. masyado strong ang "hate" bro, but i just prefer him not too. tingin ko mas effective ang pagtulong niya pag nasa labas siya ng politics. ok na si tito sen. binoto ko yun eh, pro-family and pro-lifer. :)

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    4. Hmmm.. Oo nga. But, he will definitely let his dignity crumble once he goes "politics". Well for me. Parang he built all that good reputation just for him to win, eh? And also, I have no problems with the person.

      Hmmmm. Pro-lifer? That means you are against the RH Bill? If in case you are one, then we might clash on that one. Kidding. Haha. LOL

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  3. I watched Eat Bulaga. I love the show. The secret of the longevity lies on their camaraderie. It's true friendship. If you want the government to learn from EB, the government should start how to have a "genuine" relationship with the people. Like what PNOY said, "Kayo ang aking amo." Then why is he pikon when his "amo" makes "pansin" of him? :D

    Ms. LH

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    1. maybe, he doesn't want an "amo" who does "micro-managing". hehehehe

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    2. And it seems that the "amo" "micromanages" every "subordinate" he hires - there's just no pleasing him. -.-

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    3. the "amo" might still be not so sure with what he really wanted. Then ends up with "subordinates" he really doesn't like, all the time. he needs to be wiser in choosing who to hire the next time then. :)

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  4. sana nga huwag tumakbo sa pulitika sa vic. kagaya na lang kay tito, hindi maiiwasang mabigyan ng kulay ang ginagawa nya dahil pulitko siya.

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    Replies
    1. yun pa isa pre. iba kasi pag nasa pulitika na talaga. Mainit sa mata mga kilos.

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  5. Gustong gusto ko rin ung Bossing Savings especially that most of Pinoys don't have bank accounts and don't save at all. Sana nga matuto muna tayo magsave at maginvest kahit kunti.

    May kasabihan po tayo na "Kahit kunti ang halaman doon ay sari-sari." =)

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    1. Yup. bukod kasi sa binibigyan, pati yung mga manonood e naeengganyo kasi maliit lang ang maintaining balance nung pinopromote nila na savings acct. Salamat sa pagbisita. :)

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  6. good observation dude, I never expected that. One thing I might add is that the like EatBulaga, Government should, despite changes in the roster of hosts, treat each other as "dabarkads." The government needs to stop crab mentality. Again, I love the post :)

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    1. Uy, maganda yun ah.Onga, kahit di masyadong close. Kahit hindi dabarkads basta maging casual man lang sana o kaya more respect sa kasama nila no? :)

      Pero baka kasi parang wowowee and eat bulaga ang relationships nila? hehehehe.

      Thanks for dropping by. :)

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  7. And I hope other shows would follow suit.

    My first time here :)

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