Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola: The Ultimate Dabarkads Comedy 2026 in Abu Dhabi

Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola: The Ultimate Dabarkads Comedy brings two of the Philippines’ best-loved comedians to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 22 November 2026. The pair, long-time hosts of the noontime show Eat Bulaga!, promise an afternoon of their signature Filipino humour, with sketches, live music and plenty of audience interaction, performed in Tagalog and English. Doors open at 2pm and the show starts at 3pm.

Who are Jose and Wally?

Jose Manalo, born Ariel Manalo in Tondo, Manila, in 1966, took the long road into show business. He left school at 18, worked as an errand boy, pedicab driver and street vendor, and started out in the Boyoyong clown trio in 1988 before landing television work in the early 1990s. He joined Eat Bulaga! as a production assistant in 1996 and became a host in 2002. He won Best Supporting Actor at the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival for Enteng Kabisote 2 and has appeared in a long list of comedy films, including the My Little Bossing series.

Wally Bayola, born Walter James Bayola in Naga, Camarines Sur, in 1972, was spotted performing at a comedy bar and became a full-time Eat Bulaga! host in 2000. Teamed with Jose, he formed one of Filipino television’s most popular comedy duos, and later the JoWaPao trio with Paolo Ballesteros. His characters range from Sikat in the sitcom Hay, Bahay! to roles in films such as D’ Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! and Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles.

The Kalyeserye years

For many fans, Jose and Wally will always be the Lolas. In Kalyeserye, the soap opera parody that ran live on Eat Bulaga! from July 2015 to December 2016, Wally played the formidable Lola Nidora and Jose played Lola Tinidora, guarding the romance of the fictional couple AlDub, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. The segment became a national phenomenon: its October 2015 special drew about 55,000 people to the Philippine Arena, scored a 50.8 per cent rating in Mega Manila and generated 41 million tweets in 24 hours.

The duo have also built a big live following. Their concert Jose and Wally: A Party for Every Juan won Certified Comedy Concert Artist at the 2012 Box Office Entertainment Awards, the pair shared the Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award that year, and they were named Male Concert Performers of the Year in 2013.

What to expect from the show

The Ultimate Dabarkads Comedy is a variety-style afternoon. Dabarkads is the word Eat Bulaga! uses for its family of hosts and viewers, a playful twist on barkada, the Filipino word for a group of friends, and the show is pitched squarely at that audience in the UAE. Expect sketches that play on the pair’s on-screen chemistry, songs between the laughs, and a lot of back and forth with the crowd, so sit near the front if you are happy to be pulled into the act.

The show is in Tagalog and English, which makes it most fun for Filipino audiences, though the physical comedy and music travel well. The ticket page does not give a running time.

A show without phones

Phones, smartwatches and smart glasses are sealed in Yondr pouches at security and can only be used in designated Phone Use Areas. Anyone seen using a device during the performance will be removed, and photography and video are not allowed at any time.

The venue: Etihad Arena, Yas Island

Etihad Arena on Yas Drive is Abu Dhabi’s largest indoor venue, on the Yas Bay waterfront. By car from downtown Abu Dhabi, take Sheikh Zayed Road and follow the signs. The nearest bus stop is Al Matar Al Qadeem, about 800 metres away, and most taxi drivers know the arena. Payment inside is contactless only, and accessible seating for people of determination must be bought as accessible tickets.

Family rules and entry

There is no age restriction, which makes this one of the more family-friendly arena shows, but children over two need a ticket and anyone under 16 must be with an adult aged 21 or over. Staff may ask for photo ID and the card used to buy the tickets. Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm are not allowed and there is no cloakroom; flags of any kind and professional cameras are banned. Each ticket allows one entry, and tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets bought from unauthorised resellers may be cancelled.

Who it suits

This is the Sunday plan for Filipino families and friends across the UAE, for anyone who grew up with Eat Bulaga! or followed AlDub, and for fans who want to see the Lolas’ alter egos live on a big stage.

For more laughs, see our comedy shows guide, explore things to do in Abu Dhabi, browse the November calendar, or check family events.