What happened to Eat Bulaga after more than four decades of being on air surprised not just the public but even fellow celebrities of TVJ (former Sen. Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon).
“Everybody was wondering what really happened,” said Randy Santiago, who was a noontime show regular starting from Lunch Date, Magandang Tanghali Bayan, Masayang Tanghali Bayan to Happy, Hipee, Yehey.
“Everything happened so fast. Aside from that, the new show was mounted right away. Amazing. In five days, you mounted a new noontime show. Regardless of whoever you put there, as long as there will be a new show, it will run and it did.”
Randy did not hide the fact that he was considered to be among the hosts in the new noontime show of ALLTV. “I also came from It’s Showtime, where I was a hurado in Tawag ng Tanghalan,” he said. “Then, there was also Net25. I’m open to work anywhere.”
Turning 63 in November, Randy unabashedly admitted he has lines on his forehead and he never underwent any facial surgery.
“When you compare what you can do before, it’s a lot different these days,” he maintained. “Even if you work out, you are still getting bigger. You have to watch out for your diet. Cut down on carbs at home. Avoid preparing really good food at home.”
He tried to do intermittent fasting. “Normally, I do that. I try to eat my first meal by lunch time already,” he said. “I have coffee for breakfast. I get by with that because I hardly have any activities in the morning.”
“As much as possible, you just wait for lunch and that will carry you the whole day. One meal a day is ideal. But I sometimes get hungry at around nine in the evening, so I cheat. I eat,” he continued. “Aside from that, when the barkada is around, you can’t avoid to eat and drink. That’s what makes us happy.”
With his friends John Estrada and Willie Revillame, Randy is regularly in touch with them. On June 10, the birthday of John, they scheduled to see each other again.
Since John is very close to the group of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and his new group in Batang Quiapo, he became friends with Randy’s brothers, Rowell and Raymart Santiago.
“They became very tight. Every time they did a video call when they were all in Probinsyano, I would greet them. Willie always talks to me with what’s happening with him. Very exciting also. He wants to tour. He just might do that.”
“I really don’t know what exactly is his next step. As much as possible, we are just around to support him in his plans. When we’re together, we hardly talk about work. We just enjoy,” he added.
Willie recently went to Coron, although Randy failed to join the trip. Willie is never stingy. He always wants to bring the entire barkada along every time he goes out of town.
“He always invites everybody to be with him, either in his Tagaytay house or in Puerto Galera in Mindoro,” Randy said.
Randy is part of the Axel (Accelerate) PAF (Philippine Air Force), a concert with other OPM icons Gino Padilla, Raymond Lauchengco, Roselle Nava and Geneva Cruz at The Theatre at Solaire on June 23.
The concert, to be held in time for the 76th anniversary of the PAF on July 1, is a benefit for the PAF Welfare Fund and PAF Officers’ Ladies Club Educational Assistance Program. Calvin Murphy Neria directs.
Randy is slated to go on a US tour in August and September. He will do 20 shows in the cities across the US, including Alaska, Virginia Beach, Florida, New York, Los Angeles (California) and Las Vegas (Nevada).
“I will perform in small venues with around 500 people,” he granted. “Venues with 1,000 capacity or 5,000 are too big for me.”