Ryzza Mae Dizon recalls nearly losing her spot on ‘Eat Bulaga’ to younger host

Ryzza Mae Dizon said she once came close to losing her long-time spot on the noontime show “Eat Bulaga” as their former management wanted to replace her. 

In an interview on “Toni Talks” on Sunday, June 7, Dizon recalled how she was gradually reduced to limited appearances on the program amid the show and TVJ’s (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon) debacle with their former company, TAPE Inc. 

“Ako ‘yung top 1 po na sure na sure na gusto nilang tanggalin nung dati po naming company [kasi] mayroon pong bata na gusto rin ipasok,” she said. 

“[Masakit po sa akin] kasi yung time na ‘yon po kasi ‘yun na po ‘yung once a week na lang ako pinapapasok. Tapos sa isang segment lang po pwede lumabas kasi ‘yon ‘yung instruction po sa kanila,” she added as she held back her tears. 

READ: Ryzza Mae Dizon graduates from senior high school

The former child star revealed that her replacement was already being trained at the time. 

“Kasi nandoon na po ‘yung papalit sa akin, tinitrain na po. Masakit talaga po kasi pinaghirapan ko ‘to tapos bigla-bigla na lang po aalisin na ganun-ganon lang,” she said.

Dizon did not disclose the identity of her supposed replacement as she expressed gratitude toward TVJ, who she said fought for her and the other hosts. 

“Hindi naman po kasalanan ng TVJ. Ang pinagpapasalamat ko na lang po doon ay ang pinapasok pa po ako once a week,” she said. 

“Sobra rin po talaga ‘yung pasasalamat ko sa TVJ kasi pinaglaban din po nila na hindi ako maalis. Grabe rin po ‘yung assurance na binigay nila sa amin, hindi lang po sa akin kasi parang lahat naman po kami planong alisin, pero ako lang po ‘yung sure na sure na talaga,” she added. 

Dizon rose to fame after winning “Little Miss Philippines” in 2012 on “Eat Bulaga!” She was later absorbed as a full-time host, becoming one of the show’s youngest co-hosts. She later transitioned into acting. 

She appeared in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry film “Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako.” In 2013, Dizon co-starred in “Vampire ang Daddy Ko,” marking her first major sitcom role.

In 2013, Dizon headlined her own self-titled talk show, “The Ryzza Mae Show,” making her the youngest TV show host in the Philippines to have her own show. 

Meanwhile, in May 2023, TVJ left TAPE Inc. after 43 years on air following a dispute over the show’s ownership and direction. The trio later continued “Eat Bulaga” under TV5. /edv