Alden Richards makes an appearance on Eat Bulaga’s March 11 episode. Image: Twitter/@EatBulaga
Alden Richards was overwhelmed with joy after appearing on the March 11 episode of the longest-running noontime show, “Eat Bulaga,” although it’s unclear if he will be returning for good.
The audience erupted into cheers when Richards appeared on the show’s opening number, where he flashed a “pogi” or handsome sign with his fingers before grooving along with the dancers, as seen in a short clip uploaded on Eat Bulaga’s official Twitter page on the same day.
“Surprise!” its tweet read.
Surprise! 😉 pic.twitter.com/lQFQkKDskH
— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) March 11, 2023
The Kapuso actor revealed that he’s emotional over his return to the noontime show, as seen in a snippet of him inside what appeared to be a van, with fellow hosts Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola for a segment.
“Siyempre, masaya. Tagal ko ring hindi nagawa ‘to at [nakakamiss] ito, lalo na ‘yung mga Dabarkads. Kanina, medyo naiyak lang ako noong pagpasok ko sa dressing room at niyakap ko sila. Medyo matagal din akong nawala talaga, naramdaman ko rin ‘yung tagal ng panahon pero I’m back, Dabarkads,” he said.
(Of course, I’m happy. It’s been a while since I’ve done this, and I miss it, especially my friends. A while ago, I teared up upon entering the show’s dressing room and I hugged everyone. I’ve been gone for a long time, and I felt the time that passed. But I’m back, Dabarkads.)
Welcome back, tisoy @aldenrichards02! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9UdZCAw95R
— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) March 11, 2023
“Eat Bulaga” also took to social media to share photos of Richards enjoying the company of his fellow hosts, including Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, former onscreen partner Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Pauleen Luna, Allan K, Jose Manalo, Maja Salvador, and Wally Bayola, among others.
Salamat sa mga nakasama namin ngayong Saturday! ❤️
Sugod na sa aming YouTube channel para sa mga Team Replay!
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/i6y8qtSXKk pic.twitter.com/JhG8UDNvtB
— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) March 11, 2023
Fans were ecstatic about Richards’ return to the show, as seen in the comments section of the noontime show’s Instagram account.
One @idadayanghirang01 said, “Salamat sa Diyos pinakinggan nya ang dasal ko… Dabarkads thank you bumalik si Alden ang saya saya, sana everyday na ito (Thank you Lord, you’ve heard my prayers. Dabarkads, thank you for allowing Alden to come back. It makes me very happy. I hope he will appear everyday).”
Another @_ilsibalrhowee said, “We’re happy [Alden Richards] is back in ‘Eat Bulaga’ [emojis] God bless you all dabarkads.”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@eatbulaga1979
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@eatbulaga1979
Richards made his first appearance in “Eat Bulaga” in 2015, although he temporarily left the noontime show in 2019 to focus on other showbiz projects.
In July 2015, one of the Kapuso actor’s most noteworthy moments in the show was being paired with Mendoza, which led to the birth of “AlDub,” a portmanteau of their names — Alden and Yaya Dub (Mendoza). The pair ultimately gained a cult following until they decided to go their separate ways. EDV