{{short description|Filipino actor}} {{Use Philippine English|date=May 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Eric Tai | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing [[brackets]] --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|8|23}} | birth_place = [[New Zealand]] | other_names = Eruption | occupation = Actor, television personality | years_active = 2011–present | television = ''[[It's Showtime (Philippine TV program)|It's Showtime]]''<br>''[[The Amazing Race Asia 5]]'' | spouse = {{marriage|Rona Samson|May 2015}} | children = 1 | module = {{Infobox rugby biography | embed = yes | height = {{Convert|6|ft|0|in}}<ref name=form/> | nickname = <!---rugby nickname---> | years1 = – | clubs1 = Alabang Eagles | apps1 = – | points1 = – | repyears1 = 2010s | repteam1 = [[Philippines national rugby union team|Philippines]] | repcaps1 = – | reppoints1 = – }} }} '''Eric Tai''' (born August 23, 1984<ref>{{cite news|title='Eruption' celebrates birthday on 'It's Showtime'|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/23/14/eruption-celebrates-birthday-its-showtime|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150446/http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/23/14/eruption-celebrates-birthday-its-showtime|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2017|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News|date=August 23, 2014|quote=The 30-year-old [Eric Tai] performed....}}</ref>) is a New Zealand actor based in the Philippines. He is also a 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 (Philippine TV program)|It's Showtime]]'', where he went by the screen name '''Eruption'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prfu.com/1/post/2011/11/globe-immortals-alabang-ibons-take-home-the-globe-prfu-7s-trophies.html |title=Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies - Philippine Rugby Football Union |publisher=Prfu.com |date= |accessdate=2014-04-25 |archive-date=2014-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321130220/http://www.prfu.com/1/post/2011/11/globe-immortals-alabang-ibons-take-home-the-globe-prfu-7s-trophies.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Early life== Tai was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia.<ref name=":3" /> He is of Tongan and Filipino ancestry.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Eric Eruption Tai |url=https://www.youtube.com/@EricEruptionTai/videos |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=YouTube |language=en |quote=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.}}</ref> He was obsessed with video games and had an Atari for his first console.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pineda |first=Carlos |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Before the Ting Ting dances, Eruption had to challenge the stigmas on gaming |url=https://www.spin.ph/esports/before-the-ting-ting-dances-eruption-had-to-challenge-the-stigmas-on-gaming-a4858-20230601-lfrm |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> In high school, he became involved in various sports such as [[Rugby (sport)|rugby]], [[cricket]], [[volleyball]], and [[track and field]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pamaran|first1=Maan D'Asis|title=Muscle Man Eric Tai Shows You How To Be A Superhero Sweetheart|url=https://www.fhm.com.ph/be-a-better-man/mens-stuff/the-tough-softie-a1533-20170107-lfrm|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=FHM Philippines|date=January 7, 2017}}</ref>
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 two-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.<ref name="returns">{{cite news|title='Showtime' host Eric Tai returns to Volcanoes|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/sports/08/29/13/showtime-host-eric-tai-returns-volcanoes|access-date=September 28, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News|date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> In club rugby, Tai played for the Alabang Eagles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Globe Immortals & Alabang Eagles Take Home the GLOBE PRFU 7s Trophies|url=http://www.prfu.com/news/globe-immortals-alabang-ibons-take-home-the-globe-prfu-7s-trophies|accessdate=28 September 2017|publisher=Philippine Rugby Football Union|date=November 5, 2011|archive-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150139/http://www.prfu.com/news/globe-immortals-alabang-ibons-take-home-the-globe-prfu-7s-trophies|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career== Before his stint in the Philippines, he was already pursuing a career in acting, commercial modelling, and hosting in Australia.<ref name=pep>{{cite news|last=Benavidez|first=Kathleen|title=Philippine Volcanoes' Eric Tai does more than play rugby|url=https://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/27305/philippine-volcanoes-eric-tai-does-more-than-play-rugby|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=PEP.ph|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.|language=English, Filipino|date=May 16, 2012}}</ref>
===Television=== He initially made a guest appearance on ''[[It's Showtime (Philippine TV program)|It's Showtime]]'' as a ''hurado'', 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 other [[ABS-CBN]] television shows, he declined, expressing a desire to concentrate on his role in ''It's Showtime''.<ref name="pep" />
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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Franco-Diyco|first1=Nanette|title=Take a break!|url=http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Weekender&title=take-a-break&id=57284|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=BusinessWorld|date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193446/http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Weekender&title=take-a-break&id=57284|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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.<ref name="fat">{{cite news|last1=Mendoza-Dayrit|first1=Mylene|title=Eric Tai: From fat to fitness icon|url=http://www.philstar.com/health-and-family/2016/01/19/1543859/eric-tai-fat-fitness-icon|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=The Philippine Star|date=January 19, 2016}}</ref>
Tai announced his departure from ''It's Showtime'' in early 2016. Co-host [[Coleen Garcia]] also left.<ref>{{cite news|title=Eruption meets with WWE official|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/19/16/look-eruption-meets-with-wwe-official|access-date=September 28, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> His last appearance on the television show was in December 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Where is 'Showtime' host Eruption?|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/25/16/where-is-showtime-host-eruption|access-date=September 28, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News|date=January 25, 2016}}</ref>
Tai along with his wife, Rona Samson joined the [[The Amazing Race Asia 5|fifth season]] of ''[[The Amazing Race Asia]]'' as contestants.<ref name=amazing>{{cite news|last1=Buan-Deveza|first1=Reyma|title=Why Eric Tai, wife joined 'Amazing Race Asia'|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/13/16/why-eric-tai-wife-joined-amazing-race-asia|access-date=September 28, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News|date=October 13, 2016}}</ref>
Tai is formerly part of the action adventure series ''[[Bagani (TV 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 (2018 TV series)|Ngayon at Kailanman]]'' in 2019 in which he played a bodyguard.
In 2023, Tai and his team won P200,000 when they competed on [[Family Feud (Philippine game show)|''Family Feud'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napoles |first=Jimboy |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Team ni Eric Tai "Eruption," wagi ng jackpot prize sa 'Family Feud' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/tv/family_feud/96968/team-ni-eric-tai-eruption-wagi-ng-jackpot-prize-sa-family-feud/story |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=www.gmanetwork.com |language=en}}</ref> In that episode, he challenged host [[Dingdong Dantes]] to the "Ting Ting Tang Ting Dance Challenge".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Javier |first=Kristian Eric |date=February 20, 2023 |title=Eric 'Eruption' Tai receives his YouTube Silver Play Button |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/hobbies/98372/eric-eruption-tai-receives-his-youtube-silver-play-button/story |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=www.gmanetwork.com |language=en}}</ref>
===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.<ref name=pep/>
=== Hosting === Tai hosted ''[[Mobile Legends: Bang Bang]]'' Southeast Asia Cup 2019 (MSC 2019) held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 21–23, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2019/06/13/celeb-dad-eric-tai-limits-gaming-time-to-keep-peace-at-home/|title=Celeb dad Eric Tai limits gaming time to keep peace at home|last=|first=|date=|website=MANILA BULLETIN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009024817/https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2019/06/13/celeb-dad-eric-tai-limits-gaming-time-to-keep-peace-at-home/|archive-date=2019-10-09|access-date=|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2019/06/08/1924505/balance-life-eric-tai-being-father-gamer|title='Balance is life': Eric Tai on being a father & gamer|last=|first=|date=|website=philstar GLOBAL|access-date=}}</ref>
===Modeling=== Tai appeared on the cover of the first issue of the Philippine edition of ''[[Muscle & Fitness]]'' in 2016.<ref name=form>{{cite news|title=Eric Tai and his winning form|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/eric-tai-and-his-winning-form/248977/|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=The Manila Times|date=March 7, 2016}}</ref>
=== Online media === Tai went viral on [[TikTok]] while dancing on a train in Singapore in October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Eric 'Eruption' Tai shares tips on becoming a viral digital celebrity |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/business/05/26/23/eric-eruption-tai-shares-tips-on-becoming-a-viral-digital-celebrity |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=news.abs-cbn.com}}</ref> He and his dance crew then started dancing to that tune in various locations and even got other celebrities to join them.<ref name=":1" /> He also received a [[Silver Play Button]] from [[YouTube]] in 2023.
=== Esports === In 2023, Tai joined the [[PBA Esports Bakbakan]] league.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MICALLER |first=BEA |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Akosi Dogie, Eruption, PBA stars among those to see action in PBA Esports Bakbakan |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/858495/akosi-dogie-eruption-pba-stars-among-those-to-see-action-in-pba-esports-bakbakan/story/ |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref> He was drafted 4th by Magnolia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alba |first=Katrina |date=February 14, 2023 |title='Champion na, bigay na trophy!' AkoSi Dogie, Eruption, esports influencers react to first PBA Esports Bakbakan Draft |url=https://onesports.ph/esports/article/9646/champion-na-bigay-na-trophy-akosi-dogie-eruption-esports-influencers-react-first-pba-esports-bakbakan-draft |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref>
=== Music === In 2023, Tai released his first single "Do Your Ting", a collaboration with Mr. Mainit, DJ Loonyo, and Solomon Starks.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Rhea Manila |title=EXCLUSIVE: Eric 'Eruption' Tai talks about his first OPM single 'Do Your Ting' |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/2023/4/10/exclusive-eric-eruption-tai-talks-about-his-first-opm-single-do-your-ting-401 |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=push.abs-cbn.com}}</ref> He had also signed as a recording artist with Ingrooves Music Group (which is owned by [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music]]) that year.<ref name=":2" />
==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 [[Quezon City#Cubao|Cubao]], [[Quezon City]]. They got involved in a second marriage ceremony in May 2016.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/05/31/16/look-eric-tai-marries-wife-anew |title=LOOK: Eric Tai marries wife anew |work=ABS-CBN News |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name=amazing/> The couple has one child, Legend, born in 2019.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/06/19/our-first-family-photo-eric-tai-wife-welcome-baby-son-legend |title=Eric Tai, wife welcome baby son Legend |work=ABS-CBN News |date=March 6, 2019|access-date=21 January 2025}}</ref> Tai also said that his esports events paid him well and helped him through the process.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morcoso|first1=Noy|last2=de Jesus|first2=Totel|title=How 'Amazing Race Asia' changed Team PH's Eric and Rona Tai|url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/203976/how-amazing-race-asia-changed-team-phs-eric-and-rona-tai|accessdate=September 28, 2017|work=INQUIRER.net|date=October 14, 2016}}</ref>
==Filmography== === Television === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role |- | 2010 - 2011 || ''[[Wil Time Bigtime|Willing Willie]]'' || Host |- |- | 2011 - 2015 || ''[[It's Showtime (Philippine TV program)|It's Showtime]]'' || Host |- |rowspan="2"|2016 || ''[[Family Feud (2016 Philippine game show)|Family Feud]]'' || Celebrity contestant |- | ''[[The Amazing Race Asia 5]]'' || Contestant (with wife, Rona) |- | 2018 || ''[[La Luna Sangre]]'' || Waya council member |- | 2018 || ''[[Bagani (TV series)|Bagani]]'' || Higante/Higa |- | 2019 || ''[[Ngayon at Kailanman (2018 TV series)|Ngayon at Kailanman]]'' || Neil |- | 2020 ||''[[Almost Paradise (TV series)|Almost Paradise]]'' || |- |2023 |''[[Family Feud (Philippine game show)|Family Feud]]'' |Celebrity contestant |- |2024 |''[[Running Man Philippines|Running Man Philippines Season 2]]'' |Contestant |- |rowspan=2|2025 |''[[Incognito (TV series)|Incognito]]''|| Bruno |- |''[[Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre]]''|| Bukag |-
|}
===Film=== *''[[Shake, Rattle & Roll Fourteen: The Invasion|Shake Rattle & Roll 14]]'' (2012) *''Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi'' (independent film; 2012) *''The Last Soldier'' (2019)
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tai, Eric}} [[Category:1984 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:ABS-CBN people]] [[Category:Filipino esports players]] [[Category:Filipino male comedians]] [[Category:Filipino male film actors]] [[Category:Filipino male television actors]] [[Category:Filipino television variety show hosts]] [[Category:Filipino exercise instructors]] [[Category:Mormon missionaries in the Philippines]] [[Category:New Zealand people of Tongan descent]] [[Category:New Zealand people of Filipino descent]] [[Category:New Zealand expatriates in the Philippines]] [[Category:Philippines international rugby union players]] [[Category:Star Magic]] [[Category:Tongan actors]] [[Category:The Amazing Race contestants]] [[Category:Tongan expatriates in the Philippines]] [[Category:Tongan rugby union players]] [[Category:Filipino Twitch (service) streamers]]