IN his three-decade television career which spans from a three-year stint in Boyoyong (1990) to being a mainstay host in the long-running and top rating noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!, Jose Manalo has never considered himself as a “stand-out.”
“Matagal na rin tayong magkakasama at hindi ako masyadong nagi-expect ng mataas para sa sarili ko,” Manalo confided during an online press conference of GMA’s weekly reality game show Catch Me Out Philippines, which debuted in February.
Based on the UK original, the local production is headlined by “spotters” Kakai Bautista and Derrick Monasterio, with Manalo as the main host. It premiered on the network’s Sabado Star Power sa Gabi line up, and concluded with a total of 13 highly ranked episodes for its first season.
With the show’s success, Manalo shared that it was one of the most challenging roles he had taken on so far. “Noong una, nakakapanibago [to be a main host]. Sanay kasi ako na kasama si Wally [Bayola] o si Paolo [Ballesteros]. Ayoko namang i-pressure ang sarili ko dahil natatakot akong magkamali,” he said.
Manalo, instead, dazzled.
His take on observational comedy proved to be a hit, and guest stars including Paolo Contis and Andrea Torres along with the show’s audience, found it relatable.
For him now being pegged as a rival of veteran hosts Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford, the TV host said, “Ang mas maganda na gagawin ko ay pagbubutihin ko pa tong ginagawa kong trabaho eh.”
“Hindi ko din ’yan masyadong iniisip eh. Pero nakakatuwa syempre. So, kung dumadating ’yung mga bagay na ganito, tinatanggap ko lang siya ng walang pagi-isip na eto ako, katapat ko ’to, parang si ganito, hindi. Pero masaya at maraming nagsasabi na ’yun nga raw, thank you,” he added. Manalo first joined the Eat Bulaga! crew as a production assistant and was then promoted to become a floor director. After the show’s management saw his potential, he was soon asked to join the show as a cohost. Originally paired with Wally Bayola, the tandem has since grown to include Paolo Ballesteros to become JoWaPao, a comedy trio most popular for the segment “Juan for All, All for Juan: Bayanihan of d’ Pipol.”
In 2015, they found fame as the Zobeyala triplet sisters in the hit segment “Kalyeserye.” Jose Manalo played the role of Lola Tinidora, the free-spirited sister who is known for going up ladders dancing to “Mambo No. 5.”
According to an episode in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, portraying the role of Lola Tinidora reminded Manalo of his early days as an entertainer when he used to dress up as a Boyoyong clown.
Manalo still has a few tricks up his sleeve, but for now he’s happy doing what he loves most.
Image courtesy of jaytablante
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