Ben Tulfo
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Ben Tulfo (born October 26, 1968) is a Filipino newspaper columnist, radio newscaster and is part of the infamous "Tulfo Brothers". He is best known for being the host, producer and director of the controversial investigative series Bitag (Trap in Filipino).
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Newspaper and Radio Career
Tulfo got his first big break penning the regular newspaper column Bahala si Tulfo for the tabloid newspaper Saksi Ngayon (and later Philippine Star's sister publication Pilipino Star Ngayon). It was through this channel where Ben honed his vindictive, lowbrow style that will eventually be his emblem in the media world.
The positive response to his newspaper column earned him a ticket to the realm of radio broadcasting, premiering on DZME 1530 as a daily morning show of the same name. UNTV soon provided Ben with realtime simultaneous broadcast of his radio show which could be seen live on television and on the internet making the show even more accessible than before.
[edit] Bitag
Following in the footsteps of his other siblings, Ben launched his own television program called Bitag on September 14, 2002 at television network Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC). Bitag combined elements of public service (fielding calls and personal complaints through their hotline and action center) and solved cases with methods akin to investigative journalism, compiling and presenting footages captured as an unscripted and undramatized reality show.
Unfortunately, ABC acquired the rights to broadcast PBA games later that year and was forced to let go expendable programs which included Bitag. Ben quickly secured a slot at another television network, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) where it currently enjoys lukewarm success.
With the success of BITAG: Extreme, Ben established a single production firm that covers all areas of his work exposure, called BST Tri-Media Concepts Unlimited, which handles his columns in Pilipino Star Ngayon and PM: Dyaryo ng Masa, both publications of the Philippine Star Group, his AM radio program Bahala Si Tulfo in DZME 1530KHz, and in UNTV37's Bahala Si Bitag and IBC13's BITAG: Extreme.
[edit] Controversy
Ben's fearless demeanor (and its unhealthy repercussions) are often the subject of viewer mail, with many wondering how Ben manages to persevere with the dangers his job entails. Ben merely scoffs at these remarks (to the point of irritation) citing that if what he's doing is for the greater good, then he has no problem sleeping at night even going so far as to say he's snoring.
[edit] Distinction with Tulfo Brothers
Ben is very different in comparison to his brothers (all four Tulfo brothers work in the media industry and not surprisingly, in the same public service field, since the name Tulfo was made infamous by the eldest, Ramon, which was one of the pioneers of aggressive media public service in the Philippines) in the sense of his way of delivering what's in his mind - his witty and very direct, hard-tongued English and Filipino expressions are unnerving, and at the same time, entertaining to the audience watching at home. Add with it a solid knowledge of police procedure, a background in self-defense martial arts, and a shroud of legal assistance and backing from law enforcement agencies and authorities, Ben likes to confront his targets in a very intimidating "in-your-face" style.
One thing that he takes pride in is, that unlike other investigative show hosts (even his fellow Tulfo brothers), he doesn't consider himself as a "talent" for the network (Bitag airs on IBC, a station partially owned by the government) and as such, gives him more freedom to personally investigate and know the facts firsthand without having to deal with constant network demands.
[edit] Awards
Ben won Best Public Service Program host in the 2005 Star Awards for Television [1]
