Where there’s smoke, there is fire. This could be true in GMA Network’s multi-award winning Saturday evening game show, “Celebrity Bluff”.
The program has been airing since November 2012 and continues to get stronger with multiple awards and nominations both local and international, but something feels odd in its last few episodes which all lead up to its seemingly abrupt season break.
Something off-camera has happened between Jose Manalo and Eugene Domingo (Celebrity Bluff’s JoGe on-screen love team) that created a rift on the relationship of the two; or probably on-camera that we just brushed off as ordinary comic banter but was already serious. This is not just a rumor as in the 3rd anniversary special of “Celebrity Bluff”, Manalo apologized to Domingo that hinted that he has hurt the feelings of the latter unintentionally.
Here is the memorable moment from the “Celebrity Bluff” 3rd anniversary episode last November 2015 when Manalo apologized and said ‘I Love You’ to Domingo:
“Celebrity Bluff” has built up the JoGe on-screen love team featuring the budding and comic romance between Celebrity Bluff host (UGe) Domingo and Celebrity Bluffer alias ‘pambansang manliligaw’ (national suitor) which is a play on “pambansang Bae’, Manalo. Did comic relief somehow affect one or both parties in an intimate level or is there a grave misunderstanding between two friends/colleagues? Earlier entertainment articles seem to indicate that they are merely acting and have become good friends.
Manalo is already separated from his estranged wife and Domingo is very much single. So fans of the comic love team can’t be blamed for wanting to see their favorite on-screen love team end up together in real life. Seeing a love team abruptly ending has left fans and followers of the show wondering and speculating.
In a press conference for Domingo’s latest project in GMA Network titled as “Dear Uge”, the actress was asked whether it is alright for her to talk about her fellow Celebrity Bluff colleague Jose Manalo wherein she gave a very intriguing response. “O, I’m sorry, but I mind, with all due respect. No, this is not about “Celebrity Bluff” naman kasi, so yun na lang muna.” (“…No, this is not about Celebrity Bluff, so let’s leave it at that”).
Further questions were asked of the soon-to-be host of the new comedy anthology (in the likes of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and “Lovingly yours Helen” but focusing on the comedic elements) in GMA Network filling in the Sunday slot left when “Wowowin” went on a weekdays shift. The question asked of her is what will happen to the show that Domingo and Manola were once part of.
She responded by saying, “I don’t know. We just announed a season break. So if it’s just a season break, it’s just a break. I don’t think they will let go of the concept kasi nominated here and abroad pero one thing is for sure pag bumalik ang “Celebrity Bluff”, it’s much improved, more exciting higher prize at kasama pa rin ang mga bluffers diyan.” (“… I don’t think they will let go of the concept which have been nominated locally and abroad; but one thing is for sure, when Celebrity Bluff returns, it will be much more improved with exciting higher prizes and of course this includes the Celebrity Bluffers.“)
Why did Eugene respond this way? Why did she mind talking about Jose? Why is her answer so vague about the future of the show she hosted for three years as if she is not sure herself if it will be renewed for a new season, or if they be returning as regulars?
We can only speculate if this is a serious issue between the two or irreconcilable differences? This is not the first time that we’ve seen celebrity pairs deciding to stay silent as to what caused their separation, but most of the time in these cases, there is a much deeper and personal reason behind it. We can only get a few clues on the apology video shared above. Manalo disrespected Domingo as a woman?
The answers for now is yet to be seen as Domingo will be focusing on her new comedy anthology which she seems to be so proud of and two future films in the works. On the other hand, Manalo can regularly be seen in “Eat Bulaga” and said on various occasions in the segment to be actively doing shows for comedy bars. What could have happened which seems like they have took the vow of silence and decided not to talk about what is the issue between them that has left the JoGe fans hanging and wanting for answers?
