Eric Tai

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Eric Tai
Born (1984-08-23) August 23, 1984 (age 39)
New Zealand
NationalityTongan / Filipino
Other namesEruption
Years active2011–present
TelevisionIt's Showtime
The Amazing Race Asia 5
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Rugby union career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Alabang Eagles – (–)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010s Philippines – (–)

Eric Tai (born August 23, 1984[2]) is a Tongan-born Filipino actor, model, TV host, comedian, and social media personality. He is also a professional Arena of Valor esports player, and former rugby union player who played for the Alabang Eagles and represented the Philippines national rugby union team in 15s and 7s. He was also one of the hosts of It's Showtime, where he went by the screen name Eruption.[3]

Early life[edit]

Tai spent his childhood in New Zealand. He was obsessed with video games and had an Atari for his first console.[4] In high school, he became involved in various sports such as rugby, cricket, volleyball, and track and field.[5]

Tai first came to the Philippines as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he was able to serve a 2-year mission in Naga, Camarines Sur.

Rugby career[edit]

Tai was part of the Philippines national rugby union team in 2011. For two years he did not play for the national team. In 2013, he made his return to the national team.[6] In club rugby, Tai played for the Alabang Eagles.[7]

Career[edit]

Before his stint in the Philippines, he was already pursuing a career in acting, commercial modelling, and hosting in Australia.[8]

Television[edit]

He initially made a guest appearance on It's Showtime as a hurado, also known as a judge, and showcased his dance skills in a performance. In 2012, he transitioned to a full-time hosting role on the show, adopting the screen name Eruption. Despite receiving offers to join other ABS-CBN television shows, he declined, expressing a desire to concentrate on his role in It's Showtime.[8]

As part of McCann Erickson's "Everybody Break Now" advertising campaign for KitKat, Tai portrayed Dan, the Breakinator in a television commercial for the chocolate brand.[9]

He took a break after his stint in a Canadian tour of It's Showtime in September 2014 and returned in December the same year.[10]

Tai announced his departure from It's Showtime in early 2016. Co-host Coleen Garcia also left.[11] His last appearance on the television show was in December 2015.[12]

Tai along with his wife, Rona Samson joined the fifth season of The Amazing Race Asia as contestants.[13]

Tai is formerly part of the action adventure series Bagani in 2018, in which he played a giant guy. This was Tai's first teleserye, followed by his second teleserye Ngayon at Kailanman in 2019 in which he played a bodyguard.

In 2023, Tai and his team won P200,000 when they competed on Family Feud.[14] In that episode, he challenged host Dingdong Dantes to the "Ting Ting Tang Ting Dance Challenge".[15]

Film[edit]

Tai appeared in Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi, an independent film which also featured Angelica Panganiban. In May 2012, Tai expressed his desire to act in an action film but said he did not find any opportunity to do so in the Philippines.[8]

Hosting[edit]

Tai hosted Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup 2019 (MSC 2019) held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 21–23, 2018.[16][17]

Modeling[edit]

Tai appeared on the cover of the first issue of the Philippine edition of Muscle & Fitness in 2016.[1]

Online media[edit]

Tai went viral on TikTok while dancing on a train in Singapore in October 2022.[18] He and his dance crew then started dancing to that tune in various locations and even got other celebrities to join them.[15] He also received a Silver Play Button from YouTube in 2023.

Esports[edit]

In 2023, Tai joined the PBA Esports Bakbakan league.[19] He was drafted 4th by Magnolia.[20]

Singing[edit]

In 2023, Tai released his first single "Do Your Ting", a collaboration with Mr. Mainit, DJ Loonyo, and Solomon Starks.[21] He had also signed as a recording artist with Ingrooves Music Group (which is owned by Universal Music) that year.[21]

Personal life[edit]

Tai is married to Rona Samson. The two became engaged in August 2014 when Tai proposed to Samson in Albay. They got married in March 2015 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cubao, Quezon City. They got involved in a second marriage ceremony in May 2016.[22] In 2015, Samson experienced a miscarriage and was informed by her doctor that she could only conceive a child with Tai through In vitro fertilisation. This led to the couple joining The Amazing Race Asia who planned to use the prize money to go through with the procedure.[13] Tai also said that his esports events paid him well and helped him through the process.[17]

Video games is also a hobby of Tai which according to his wife proved beneficial for their stint in The Amazing Race. She said this hobby helped them in the puzzle solving aspect of the reality show.[23]

Filmography[edit]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Network
2011 - 2015 It's Showtime Host ABS-CBN
2016 Family Feud Celebrity contestant ABS-CBN
The Amazing Race Asia 5 Contestant (with wife, Rona) AXN Asia
2018 La Luna Sangre Waya council member ABS-CBN
2018 Bagani Higante/Higa ABS-CBN
2019 Ngayon at Kailanman Neil ABS-CBN
2020 Almost Paradise WGN America
Kapamilya Channel
2023 Family Feud Celebrity contestant GMA

Film[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Eric Tai and his winning form". The Manila Times. March 7, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "'Eruption' celebrates birthday on 'It's Showtime'". ABS-CBN News. August 23, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2017. The 30-year-old [Eric Tai] performed....
  3. ^ "Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies - Philippine Rugby Football Union". Prfu.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  4. ^ Pineda, Carlos (June 1, 2023). "Before the Ting Ting dances, Eruption had to challenge the stigmas on gaming". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Pamaran, Maan D'Asis (January 7, 2017). "Muscle Man Eric Tai Shows You How To Be A Superhero Sweetheart". FHM Philippines. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  6. ^ "'Showtime' host Eric Tai returns to Volcanoes". ABS-CBN News. August 29, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  7. ^ "Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies". Philippine Rugby Football Union. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Benavidez, Kathleen (May 16, 2012). "Philippine Volcanoes' Eric Tai does more than play rugby". PEP.ph (in English and Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  9. ^ Franco-Diyco, Nanette (August 24, 2012). "Take a break!". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  10. ^ Mendoza-Dayrit, Mylene (January 19, 2016). "Eric Tai: From fat to fitness icon". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Eruption meets with WWE official". ABS-CBN News. July 19, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "Where is 'Showtime' host Eruption?". ABS-CBN News. January 25, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Buan-Deveza, Reyma (October 13, 2016). "Why Eric Tai, wife joined 'Amazing Race Asia'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  14. ^ Napoles, Jimboy (January 12, 2023). "Team ni Eric Tai "Eruption," wagi ng jackpot prize sa 'Family Feud'". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Javier, Kristian Eric (February 20, 2023). "Eric 'Eruption' Tai receives his YouTube Silver Play Button". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  16. ^ "Celeb dad Eric Tai limits gaming time to keep peace at home". MANILA BULLETIN. Archived from the original on 2019-10-09.
  17. ^ a b "'Balance is life': Eric Tai on being a father & gamer". philstar GLOBAL.
  18. ^ "Eric 'Eruption' Tai shares tips on becoming a viral digital celebrity". news.abs-cbn.com. May 26, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  19. ^ MICALLER, BEA (January 24, 2023). "Akosi Dogie, Eruption, PBA stars among those to see action in PBA Esports Bakbakan". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  20. ^ Alba, Katrina (February 14, 2023). "'Champion na, bigay na trophy!' AkoSi Dogie, Eruption, esports influencers react to first PBA Esports Bakbakan Draft". onesports.ph. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Santos, Rhea Manila. "EXCLUSIVE: Eric 'Eruption' Tai talks about his first OPM single 'Do Your Ting'". push.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  22. ^ "LOOK: Eric Tai marries wife anew", ABS-CBN News, May 31, 2016, retrieved December 1, 2016
  23. ^ Morcoso, Noy; de Jesus, Totel (October 14, 2016). "How 'Amazing Race Asia' changed Team PH's Eric and Rona Tai". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
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