Eric Tai(born August 23, 1984[2]) is aNew Zealandactor. He is also a professionalArena of Valoresportsplayer, and formerrugby unionplayer who played for the Alabang Eagles and represented thePhilippines national rugby union teamin 15s and 7s. He was also one of the hosts ofIt's Showtime,where he went by the screen nameEruption.[3]
Eric Tai | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | August 23, 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Actor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2011–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | It's Showtime The Amazing Race Asia 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Rona Samson (m.2015) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
editTai was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia.[4]He is of Tongan and Filipino ancestry.[4]He was obsessed with video games and had an Atari for his first console.[5]In high school, he became involved in various sports such asrugby,cricket,volleyball,andtrack and field.[6]
Tai first came to the Philippines as a missionary for theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintswhere he was able to serve a 2-year mission inNaga, Camarines Sur.
Rugby career
editTai was part of thePhilippines national rugby union teamin 2011. For two years he did not play for the national team. In 2013, he made his return to the national team.[7]In club rugby, Tai played for the Alabang Eagles.[8]
Career
editBefore his stint in the Philippines, he was already pursuing a career in acting, commercial modelling, and hosting in Australia.[9]
Television
editHe initially made a guest appearance onIt's Showtimeas ahurado,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 otherABS-CBNtelevision shows, he declined, expressing a desire to concentrate on his role inIt's Showtime.[9]
As part ofMcCann Erickson's "Everybody Break Now" advertising campaign forKitKat,Tai portrayed Dan, the Breakinator in a television commercial for the chocolate brand.[10]
He took a break after his stint in a Canadian tour ofIt's Showtimein September 2014 and returned in December the same year.[11]
Tai announced his departure fromIt's Showtimein early 2016. Co-hostColeen Garciaalso left.[12]His last appearance on the television show was in December 2015.[13]
Tai along with his wife, Rona Samson joined thefifth seasonofThe Amazing Race Asiaas contestants.[14]
Tai is formerly part of the action adventure seriesBaganiin 2018, in which he played a giant guy. This was Tai's first teleserye, followed by his second teleseryeNgayon at Kailanmanin 2019 in which he played a bodyguard.
In 2023, Tai and his team won P200,000 when they competed onFamily Feud.[15]In that episode, he challenged hostDingdong Dantesto the "Ting Ting Tang Ting Dance Challenge".[16]
Film
editTai appeared inMadaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi,an independent film which also featuredAngelica 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.[9]
Hosting
editTai hostedMobile Legends: Bang BangSoutheast Asia Cup 2019 (MSC 2019) held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 21–23, 2018.[17][18]
Modeling
editTai appeared on the cover of the first issue of the Philippine edition ofMuscle & Fitnessin 2016.[1]
Online media
editTai went viral onTikTokwhile dancing on a train in Singapore in October 2022.[19]He and his dance crew then started dancing to that tune in various locations and even got other celebrities to join them.[16]He also received aSilver Play ButtonfromYouTubein 2023.
Esports
editIn 2023, Tai joined thePBA Esports Bakbakanleague.[20]He was drafted 4th by Magnolia.[21]
Singing
editIn 2023, Tai released his first single "Do Your Ting", a collaboration with Mr. Mainit, DJ Loonyo, and Solomon Starks.[22]He had also signed as a recording artist with Ingrooves Music Group (which is owned byUniversal Music) that year.[22]
Personal life
editTai is married to Rona Samson. The two became engaged in August 2014 when Tai proposed to Samson inAlbay.They got married in March 2015 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints inCubao,Quezon City.They got involved in a second marriage ceremony in May 2016.[23]In 2015, Samson experienced amiscarriageand was informed by her doctor that she could only conceive a child with Tai throughIn vitro fertilisation.This led to the couple joiningThe Amazing Race Asiawho planned to use the prize money to go through with the procedure.[14]The couple has one child, Legend, born in 2019.[24]Tai also said that his esports events paid him well and helped him through the process.[18]
Video games is also a hobby of Tai which according to his wife proved beneficial for their stint inThe Amazing Race.She said this hobby helped them in the puzzle solving aspect of the reality show.[25]
Filmography
editTelevision
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 |
| 2024 | Running Man Philippines Season 2 | Contestant | GMA |
| 2025 | Incognito | Kapamilya Channel |
Film
edit- Shake Rattle & Roll 14(2012)
- Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi(independent film; 2012)
- The Last Soldier(2019)
References
edit- ^ab"Eric Tai and his winning form".The Manila Times.March 7, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^"'Eruption' celebrates birthday on 'It's Showtime'".ABS-CBN News.August 23, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
The 30-year-old [Eric Tai] performed....
- ^"Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies - Philippine Rugby Football Union".Prfu. Archived fromthe originalon March 21, 2014.RetrievedApril 25,2014.
- ^ab"Eric Eruption Tai".YouTube.RetrievedOctober 19,2024.
Welcome to the official YouTube account of Eric 'Eruption' Tai. Big Boy Dance currently in motion. A dancing warrior. 234lbs at 6'1. Born in New Zealand. Raised in Australia. Currently in the Philippines. Tongan and Filipino Descent.
- ^Pineda, Carlos (June 1, 2023)."Before the Ting Ting dances, Eruption had to challenge the stigmas on gaming".Spin.ph.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^Pamaran, Maan D'Asis (January 7, 2017)."Muscle Man Eric Tai Shows You How To Be A Superhero Sweetheart".FHM Philippines.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^"'Showtime' host Eric Tai returns to Volcanoes ".ABS-CBN News.August 29, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^"Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies".Philippine Rugby Football Union. November 5, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^abcBenavidez, Kathleen (May 16, 2012)."Philippine Volcanoes' Eric Tai does more than play rugby".PEP.ph(in English and Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^Franco-Diyco, Nanette (August 24, 2012)."Take a break!".BusinessWorld.Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^Mendoza-Dayrit, Mylene (January 19, 2016)."Eric Tai: From fat to fitness icon".The Philippine Star.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^"Eruption meets with WWE official".ABS-CBN News.July 19, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^"Where is 'Showtime' host Eruption?".ABS-CBN News.January 25, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^abBuan-Deveza, Reyma (October 13, 2016)."Why Eric Tai, wife joined 'Amazing Race Asia'".ABS-CBN News.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^Napoles, Jimboy (January 12, 2023)."Team ni Eric Tai" Eruption, "wagi ng jackpot prize sa 'Family Feud'".gmanetwork.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^abJavier, Kristian Eric (February 20, 2023)."Eric 'Eruption' Tai receives his YouTube Silver Play Button".gmanetwork.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^"Celeb dad Eric Tai limits gaming time to keep peace at home".MANILA BULLETIN.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2019.
- ^ab"'Balance is life': Eric Tai on being a father & gamer ".philstar GLOBAL.
- ^"Eric 'Eruption' Tai shares tips on becoming a viral digital celebrity".news.abs-cbn.May 26, 2023.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^MICALLER, BEA (January 24, 2023)."Akosi Dogie, Eruption, PBA stars among those to see action in PBA Esports Bakbakan".GMA News Online.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^Alba, Katrina (February 14, 2023)."'Champion na, bigay na trophy!' AkoSi Dogie, Eruption, esports influencers react to first PBA Esports Bakbakan Draft ".onesports.ph.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^abSantos, Rhea Manila."EXCLUSIVE: Eric 'Eruption' Tai talks about his first OPM single 'Do Your Ting'".push.abs-cbn.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
- ^"LOOK: Eric Tai marries wife anew",ABS-CBN News,May 31, 2016,retrievedDecember 1,2016
- ^"Eric Tai, wife welcome baby son Legend",ABS-CBN News,March 6, 2019,retrievedJanuary 21,2025
- ^Morcoso, Noy; de Jesus, Totel (October 14, 2016)."How 'Amazing Race Asia' changed Team PH's Eric and Rona Tai".INQUIRER.net.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.