‘Eat Bulaga!’ Dabarkads Bring Fun, Laughter in Philippine Festival Tokyo 2022

WORDS & INTERVIEW BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO – “Eat Bulaga!” Dabarkads Maine Mendoza, Wally Bayola and Allan K brought the trademark fun and laughter of the longest running noontime show in the Philippines to the Philippine Festival Tokyo 2022 in Yoyogi Park last Dec. 4.

The three delivered “isang libo’t, isang tuwa” as they performed upbeat songs and shared funny stories with a large audience composed of Filipinos, Japanese and other foreign nationals from different parts of Japan.

“We’re happy and grateful to be a part of this event because it’s been three years, and now we’re having a sense of normalcy,” Maine told Filipino-Japanese Journal in an interview.

Allan and Wally also expressed their excitement and happiness.

“Masaya kami dahil after three years ay may ganitong festival ulit para sa mga Pilipino sa Japan,” Allan said.

“Syempre kaming mga Dabarkads ang magpapasaya sa kanila,” Wally enthused.

The Philippine Festival was successfully held after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the theme “Meri Matsuri.”