MANILA — TV host Ryzza Mae Dizon revealed that she almost lost her position in the noontime show Eat Bulaga, saying she was reportedly among those first considered for replacement by the program’s former management.

In a media report, it said that in an interview on Toni Talks, as cited in a media report, Dizon said she was the “top 1” in the list of personalities management allegedly wanted to remove at the time due to plans to introduce a new child host.

“Ako ‘yung top 1 po na sure na sure na gusto nilang tanggalin nung dati po naming company [kasi] mayroon pong bata na gusto rin ipasok,” she said.

She recalled that her appearances on the show were significantly reduced during that period.

“Masakit po sa akin kasi ‘yung time na ‘yon po kasi ‘yun na po ‘yung once a week na lang ako pinapapasok. Tapos sa isang segment lang po pwede lumabas kasi ‘yon ‘yung instruction po sa kanila,” she added.

Dizon also said preparations were already underway to bring in her replacement at that time.

“Kasi nandoon na po ‘yung papalit sa akin, tini-train na po. Masakit talaga po kasi pinaghirapan ko ‘to tapos bigla-bigla na lang po aalisin na ganun-ganon lang,” she said.

Despite this, she expressed gratitude to Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, for supporting her continued stay on the show.

“Hindi naman po kasalanan ng TVJ. Ang pinagpapasalamat ko na lang po doon ay ang pinapasok pa po ako once a week,” she said.

“Sobra rin po talaga ‘yung pasasalamat ko sa TVJ kasi pinaglaban din po nila na hindi ako maalis. Grabe rin po ‘yung assurance na binigay nila sa amin, hindi lang po sa akin kasi parang lahat naman po kami planong alisin, pero ako lang po ‘yung sure na sure na talaga,” she added.

Dizon rose to fame after winning Little Miss Philippines in 2012 on Eat Bulaga. She was later introduced as a regular host on the long-running noontime program.