For decades, Eat Bulaga! has been more than just a noontime show; it has been a Filipino institution. Beaming into millions of homes, it represented a comforting, daily dose of laughter, games, and a sense of family, all presided over by the iconic triumvirate of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ. Their public image was one of paternal charm and comedic genius. But in recent months, that carefully polished image has begun to crack, revealing a much darker narrative that has been allegedly hidden from the public for years.

A steady stream of former hosts, dancers, and staff has begun to speak out, painting a picture not of a happy family, but of a deeply toxic environment, “dirty management,” and a culture of fear. And now, the most high-profile and shocking name has been added to the chorus of accusers: Julia Barretto.

In a bombshell report, it is alleged that the young actress, one of the brightest stars of her generation, had a “traumatic” and “dark” experience during her time on the show, forcing her to quit abruptly. The most explosive part of the allegation? It centers on a specific, deeply disturbing encounter with one of the show’s pillars, Joey de Leon.

The story begins just as Barretto was charming the Eat Bulaga! audience. She was brought in as a guest host for the popular segment “Bawal ang Judgmental,” a move that coincided with the promotion of her film Expensive Candy. Her appearance was an undeniable hit. Viewers were delighted by her natural, witty, and bubbly personality. She vibed perfectly with the cast, participated in the skits, and showed a “game” and approachable side that audiences rarely got to see.

Her guesting was so successful that, according to reports, she was given a contract to continue her appearance for an extended period. The stage was set for a new, mutually beneficial partnership. Then, suddenly, she was gone.

In a shocking turn of events, Barretto allegedly “refused to continue” her contract and walked away from the show. At the time, her departure was unexplained, but the new report alleges she has finally broken her silence on the reason why.

“I can’t take what I am experiencing and seeing inside,” Barretto allegedly shared about her decision. “Yes, I am happy on-screen. Timing-ere ang show dahil bahagi ito ng trabaho ko (The show is happy because it’s part of my job). But behind the camera, I can’t take what they are doing to me, especially Joey de Leon.”

This allegation is the “smoking gun” that many critics of the show have been waiting for. According to the source report, while Barretto “did not fully detail” the specifics of the incident, she described it in no uncertain terms. She claimed the encounter, or series of encounters, caused her significant “trauma” and, in the video’s most chilling phrase, “stepped on her humanity and her womanhood” (“naapakan ang kanyang pagkatao at pagkababae”).

This is a grave allegation. The phrasing suggests the incident was not a simple misunderstanding or a case of creative differences. The claim that it “stepped on her womanhood” implies a deeply disrespectful, gendered, and inappropriate line of conduct that violated her dignity. It suggests a power dynamic so skewed that a young, guesting actress felt her only recourse was to flee, tearing up a valuable contract in the process.

This alleged incident with Julia Barretto, however, is not an isolated one, according to the video report. It is presented as the latest, most egregious example of a toxic pattern. The report claims that for years, Eat Bulaga! has been a place of “appalling” (“nakakadiri”) backstage happenings. This narrative is corroborated by the alleged claims of other former talents, most notably the “OG” Sex Bomb Dancers.

For years, the Sex Bomb Dancers were a core part of the show’s identity. But their exit was also clouded in controversy. The report connects their departure to the same toxic culture, alleging that many dancers and former hosts have stories of being “stepped on” and “degraded” behind the scenes. They were allegedly forced to smile for the cameras while carrying a heavy “burden” of mistreatment.

The source report claims this alleged “dirty management” (“maduming pamamahala”) was an open secret. The problem, it alleges, is the absolute power held by TVJ, who “manipulate” their co-hosts and staff. This created a culture of silence, where no one dared to speak up for fear of losing their career.

This is what makes the Julia Barretto allegation so potent. Unlike other talents who may have feared being blacklisted, Barretto is a major star in her own right, with her own network and management (Star Magic). She did not need Eat Bulaga in the same way, giving her the power to walk away.

Her alleged decision to speak up now, according to the report, is because “the evil” (“kasamaan”) of the hosts is finally “being exposed one by one.” She allegedly felt she could no longer stay silent, not only for herself but for the other victims who were too afraid to talk. Her alleged testimony is a validation of the rumors that have haunted the show for years.

The video’s title, which names Tito Sotto, appears to be a deliberate “bait-and-switch,” a common tactic in online gossip. The transcript and the video’s core allegation focus squarely and repeatedly on Joey de Leon, marking him as the alleged cause of her trauma.

As of this report, neither Julia Barretto nor Joey de Leon has officially commented on these specific online allegations. But the story is already on fire. It has taken the long-simmering rumors about Eat Bulaga! and thrown a gallon of gasoline on them. It is no longer just “disgruntled” former employees; it is a current, A-list celebrity.

The legacy of Eat Bulaga! and TVJ is now facing its greatest challenge. The public is being forced to reconcile the “happy family” they’ve watched for 40 years with the “dark” and “traumatic” backstage experiences that are now being alleged with increasing frequency and severity. Julia Barretto’s alleged story is a powerful, new, and deeply disturbing chapter in a scandal that is far from over.