Eric Tai | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1984-08-23)August 23, 1984 (age 41) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Actor, television personality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2011–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Television | It's Showtime The Amazing Race Asia 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby player | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eric Tai (born August 23, 1984[2]) is a New Zealand actor based in the Philippines. He is also a professionalArena of Valoresports player and formerrugby union player who played for the Alabang Eagles and represented thePhilippines national rugby union team in 15s and 7s. He was also one of the hosts ofIt's Showtime, where he went by the screen nameEruption.[3]
Tai 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 Saints where he was able to serve a two-year mission inNaga, Camarines Sur.
Tai was part of thePhilippines 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.[7] In club rugby, Tai played for the Alabang Eagles.[8]
Before his stint in the Philippines, he was already pursuing a career in acting, commercial modelling, and hosting in Australia.[9]
He initially made a guest appearance onIt's Showtime as ahurado, or 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-CBN television 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 Showtime in September 2014 and returned in December the same year.[11]
Tai announced his departure fromIt's Showtime in early 2016. Co-hostColeen Garcia also left.[12] His last appearance on the television show was in December 2015.[13]
Tai along with his wife, Rona Samson joined thefifth season ofThe Amazing Race Asia as contestants.[14]
Tai is formerly part of the action adventure seriesBagani in 2018, in which he played a giant guy. This was Tai's first teleserye, followed by his second teleseryeNgayon at Kailanman in 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 Dantes to the "Ting Ting Tang Ting Dance Challenge".[16]
Tai 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]
Tai hostedMobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup 2019 (MSC 2019) held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 21–23, 2018.[17][18]
Tai appeared on the cover of the first issue of the Philippine edition ofMuscle & Fitness in 2016.[1]
Tai went viral onTikTok while 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 Button fromYouTube in 2023.
In 2023, Tai joined thePBA Esports Bakbakan league.[20] He was drafted 4th by Magnolia.[21]
In 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]
Tai 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 amiscarriage and 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 Asia who 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]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 - 2011 | Willing Willie | Host |
| 2011 - 2015 | It's Showtime | Host |
| 2016 | Family Feud | Celebrity contestant |
| The Amazing Race Asia 5 | Contestant (with wife, Rona) | |
| 2018 | La Luna Sangre | Waya council member |
| 2018 | Bagani | Higante/Higa |
| 2019 | Ngayon at Kailanman | Neil |
| 2020 | Almost Paradise | |
| 2023 | Family Feud | Celebrity contestant |
| 2024 | Running Man Philippines Season 2 | Contestant |
| 2025 | Incognito | Bruno |
| Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre | Bukag |
The 30-year-old [Eric Tai] performed....
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.