Ariel Pagtalonia Manalo (born February 12, 1966), known professionally as Jose Manalo (Tagalog:[hoˈsemɐˈnɐlɔ]), is a Filipino comedian, actor, and director, best known as a host of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! (1996–present) on TV5. He is also recognized for his stand-up comedy performances.
Early and personal life
Manalo married Anna Lyn Santos, his estranged wife, who died at age 54 in January 2022. She is survived by their children: Myki, a medical doctor; Benj Manalo, married to Lovely Abella; Sherwin Nicco, an actor; Ai, an accounts manager; and Colyn, a musician.[1][2]
On December 2, 2024, Manalo became engaged to EB Babe dancer Gene Maranan.[3] They married on December 17.[4]
Career
At 18, Manalo left school to support his growing family. Without a college degree, he took various odd jobs, including working as an errand boy, pedicab driver, and street vendor. He began his comedic career as a member of the Boyoyong clown trio (1988–1988). In 1992, he entered the entertainment industry as part of the cast of the afternoon drama series Valiente.[5] He also served as a substitute performer on the youth-oriented variety show That's Entertainment when dancers were unavailable. His breakthrough came when he joined Eat Bulaga! as a production assistant in 1996 and later became a host in 2002. He subsequently rose to prominence, starring in successful films and sitcoms alongside Vic Sotto.[6][7][8]
In 2023, Manalo and fellow co-hosts of Eat Bulaga! departed TAPE, Inc. following a dispute with Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.[9] Collectively known as the "Legit Dabarkads", they transferred to TV5, where they hosted a new program titled E.A.T., later renamed Eat Bulaga! on January 6, 2024.[10]
Controversy
In 2012, Jose Manalo's wife Annalyn lodged a complaint against the comedian for verbal and emotional abuse.[11] In her affidavit, she claimed that the abuse started in 2011.[12] Manalo denied the charges of abuse and also his wife's accusations of family abandonment and child neglect.[13] In his official statement, Manalo asserted that he provided support, "financial or otherwise", to his children.[12][14]
In late 2013, however, Manalo's daughter filed a case of violation against her father for failure to provide financial support, which caused her to drop out of school.[15] The following year, his daughter subsequently attempted suicide, citing her family problems and mainly blaming her father as the reason.[16] Manalo had also refuted these allegations by his daughter.[17]
In 2022, the Court of Appeals absolved Manalo from civil liability arising from his wife Annalyn's P 50 million debt to businessman Froilan Clemente Jr. It nullified the compromise agreement since Manalo is not part thereof.[18]
↑San Diego Jr., Bayani (February 29, 2012). "A party for Every Juan". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
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