Walter James B. Bayola (born May 3, 1972), popularly known as Wally Bayola (Tagalog:[ˈwalibɐˈjolɐ]), is a Filipino comedian and actor. He is best known for portraying Lola Nidora and other characters in the Kalyeserye portion of the noontime television variety show Eat Bulaga!. He appears alongside his co-hosts Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros, the trio also known as JoWaPao, in the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment of the said show.
Early life and education
Bayola was raised by Francisco Nepomuceno, a priest and his maternal great-uncle, at a convent of a Catholic church in Naga, Camarines Sur. This arrangement came after his father left for the United States to work abroad and his mother was continuing her education.[1] After Nepomuceno's death, he was taken under the care of his grandmother. He pursued his college education at Ateneo de Naga University and later transferred to Naga College Foundation, where he received a scholarship as a member of the theater club.[2]
Bayola worked as a storekeeper, a host at a sing-along bar, a band member, and comedian at a comedy bar.[2] He was discovered while at a comedy bar, and became host of Eat Bulaga! beginning on May 3, 2000, his 28th birthday. He then formed a comedic duo with Jose Manalo.
On March 2, 2012, Bayola and Manalo had their first concert, Jose and Wally Show: A Party for Juan and All, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.[3][4] Their second concert was held at the same venue in 2013.[5][6][7]
Bayola won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2014 Dabarkads Awards.[8]
He regularly performs in Klownz and Zirkoh Comedy Bars with Jerricho Sison Calingal a.k.a. Echo (Eat Bulaga's BakClash Diva Grand Winner).
Juan for All, All for Juan: Kalyeserye/Sunday Pinasaya
After his return on Eat Bulaga!, Bayola became known for his roles as Doktora Dora de Explorer on Eat Bulaga!'s Juan for All, All for Juan: Problem Solving and as Donya Nidora Esperanza Zobeyala de Explorer (Lola Nidora), Duhrizz de Explorer (Duh) and Rihanna (a mayordoma at Nidora's mansion) on the Kalyeserye segment. Bayola was also part of the Sunday midday comedy variety show Sunday PinaSaya along with Jose Manalo, Marian Rivera and Ai-Ai delas Alas.
Controversies
Sex scandal
On September 2, 2013, a video showing Bayola and "EB Babe" Yosh Rivera engaging in sexual intercourse, was uploaded to YouTube. The video was immediately removed from the site but already went viral in several social media channels, including Facebook. After the scandal became known, it was reported that Bayola would not be appearing on Eat Bulaga! temporarily, as stated by his manager, Malou Choa Fagar who said the comedian "will lie low from the program".[9] Rivera has not appeared on Eat Bulaga! since,[10] and Bayola did not reappear until five months later on February 8, 2014, when he made an appearance on that day only during the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment.[11] Bayola has since returned full-time and is currently a host on Eat Bulaga!.
Profanity incident
On August 10, 2023, Bayola and co-host, Jose Manalo were doing a skit on the show's Sugod Bahay, Mga Kapatid! segment, their scene was briefly interrupted when Manalo spoke to studio hosts Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Tito Sotto. Meanwhile, Bayola disappeared from the screen but accidentally uttered the Tagalog expletive "putang ina" off-screen that caught everyone's attention.[12][13]
A day later, on August 11, 2023, Bayola expressed regret and sincerely apologized for the incident and admitted that he had made a mistake.[14]
After Bayola's heartfelt apology to viewers and fans, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued a “Notice to Appear and Testify” to the production group of the TV5's noontime show, E.A.T., regarding a hearing over the utterance of profanity by one of its hosts, Wally Bayola.
Personal life
Bayola has been married to Riza Bayola since he was twenty (20) years old. Together, they have five children.[2][15] His first grandchild was christened in 2016.[16]
