Eric Tai

Eric Tai (born August 23, 1984[2]) is a Tongan-born Filipino actor, model, TV host, comedian, 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]

Eric Tai
Born (1984-08-23) August 23, 1984
New Zealand
NationalityTongan / Filipino
Other namesEruption
Years active2011–present
TelevisionIt's Showtime
The Amazing Race Asia 5
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Rugby union career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Alabang Eagles – (–)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010s Philippines – (–)

Early life

Tai spent his childhood in New Zealand. In high school, he became involved in various sports such as rugby, cricket, volleyball, and track and field.[4]

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

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.[5] In club rugby, Tai played for the Alabang Eagles.[6]

Career

Before his stint in the Philippines, he was already pursuing a career in acting, commercial modelling, and hosting in Australia.[7]

Television

He made a guest appearance in It's Showtime as a hurado or a judge in a segment of the variety show and also made a dance exhibition. In 2012, he became a full-time host on the show and became known under the screen name Eruption. He was offered to be part of various other television shows on ABS-CBN but declined saying that he wanted to focus with It's Showtime.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

Tai announced his departure from It's Showtime in early 2016. Co-host Coleen Garcia also left.[10] His last appearance on the television show was in December 2015.[11]

Tai along with his wife, Rona Samson joined the fifth season of The Amazing Race Asia as contestants.[12]

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.

Film

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.[7]

Hosting

Tai hosted Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup 2019 (MSC 2019) held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 21–23, 2018.[13][14]

Modeling

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

Personal life

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.[15] 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.[12] Tai also said that his esports events paid him well and helped him through the process.[14]

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.[16]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Network
2011 - 2015It's ShowtimeHostABS-CBN
2016Family FeudCelebrity contestantABS-CBN
The Amazing Race Asia 5Contestant (with wife, Rona)AXN Asia
2018La Luna SangreWaya council memberABS-CBN
2018BaganiHigante/HigaABS-CBN
2019Ngayon at KailanmanNeilABS-CBN
2020Almost ParadiseWGN America

Film
  • Shake Rattle & Roll 14 (2012)
  • Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi (independent film; 2012)
  • The Last Soldier (2019)

References
  1. "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. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  4. 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.
  5. "'Showtime' host Eric Tai returns to Volcanoes". ABS-CBN News. August 29, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  6. "Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies". Philippine Rugby Football Union. November 5, 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  7. 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.
  8. Franco-Diyco, Nanette (August 24, 2012). "Take a break!". BusinessWorld. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  9. Mendoza-Dayrit, Mylene (January 19, 2016). "Eric Tai: From fat to fitness icon". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  10. "Eruption meets with WWE official". ABS-CBN News. July 19, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  11. "Where is 'Showtime' host Eruption?". ABS-CBN News. January 25, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  12. Buan-Deveza, Reyma (October 13, 2016). "Why Eric Tai, wife joined 'Amazing Race Asia'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  13. "Celeb dad Eric Tai limits gaming time to keep peace at home". MANILA BULLETIN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "'Balance is life': Eric Tai on being a father & gamer". philstar GLOBAL.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. "LOOK: Eric Tai marries wife anew", ABS-CBN News, May 31, 2016, retrieved December 1, 2016
  16. 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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