ATLANTIC CITY – With a ceiling dimly lit over a blue background that seems to compete with the stars and the sky over the Atlantic City boardwalk, Budakan Restaurant inside the Ceasar Palace mall has a subdued and relaxing ambiance. It wasn’t enough though to keep eyes from widening when sumptuous dishes were served on a long table where a big Buddha statue, seated at the end of the table, watched over its guests.

The fusion dishes kept coming in batches of four or more variants from the appetizer, entree and desserts. Just when you thought you have tasted enough sea bass or lamb chops, comes another mouth watering beef concoction or a tasty combo of mushrooms - turning the whole dinner experience a festivity of the highest order!

“This is just how we are when we go abroad. We treat our dinner very special because it is our bonding time. And we enjoy every minute of it,” pointed out the “Eat Bulaga” patriarch Tony Tuviera.

The “Eat Bulaga” family is in Atlantic City for their much awaited first time show at the Boardwalk Hall Arena tomorrow, April 4. This also marks their first show abroad for this year as they continue to aggressively bring the number one and longest running noontime variety show of the Philippines to different parts of the world. Last year alone they made time to visit Pinoys in Dubai and in Los Angeles, California.

More than just catering to the “Eat Bulaga-boomers,” the show is also mounted to reintroduce the noontime show to the younger generation, spawned by their loyal supporters then. It is, as Mr. T (the popular showiz nickname of Mr. Tuviera) stressed, their way of again reaching out to Pinoys abroad and touching their hearts with the same effect they’ve been having with Pinoy viewers for 30 years already.

Aside from “Eat Bulaga’s” formidable foundation, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, also appearing in the show are Jimmy Santos, Anjo Yllana, Lougee, Allan K, Julia Clarette and rising comedy duo Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola. Their special guests are GMA-7’s popular love team from their latest highly rating telefantasya “Zorro,” none other than Richard Gutierrez and Rhian Ramos!

So how does Mr. Tuviera feel that “Eat Bulaga” is turning 30 years old?

“We’re very happy about it. We never expected this to happen and we don’t know where this will lead us,” he replied proudly.

If one is to enumerate the factors for “Eat Bulaga’s” successes through the years, top on its list would be their treating the whole show as being one big family. It is also noticeable that through the years, TVJ’s co-hosts just kept growing. And through those years, some hosts who rose to fame because of the show, had either left or stayed.

“We are a family and that’s our strength. We know that in ‘Eat Bulaga’ hosts come and go and that is why we were devastated when Kiko (Magalona) passed away because for the first time we really lost a family member,” Mr. T said with sadness.

“Eat Bulaga” since its onset has become an icon in Philippine television. It has become synonymous to family fun and enjoyment and has been responsible to putting smiles to Pinoy viewers’ faces for three decades. It has also launched upcoming artists that in their own respective ways became stars because of “Eat Bulaga.” And having embedded itself into the Filipino culture is just one of the legacies it has left for its Filipino viewers.

“It was never our design or intention to leave a legacy. Before, we were just concerned about the show’s existence. And now we’ve reached 30 years,” Mr. Tuviera exclaimed proudly.

To celebrate, he explained that “Eat Bulaga” in the coming months would be doing something very special for their avid viewers. It is a simple way of showing “Eat Bulaga’s” sincerest appreciation of their patrons’ support through 30 enjoyable and successful years!