Magic 89.9's 'Boys' Night Out' ends 19-year run on a bittersweet note
Boys’ Night Out, Magic 89.9’s iconic evening program, has gone off air after 19 years.
The radio show, known for its hosts’ witty banter, aired its last episode on Sept. 29 with hosts Suzy (Tin Gamboa), Slick Rick (Eric Virata), and Tony Toni (Anthony James Bueno). It was supposed to be concluded on Oct. 2, according to Gamboa.
Collectively, the BNO hosts gave a statement on Instagram about the abrupt end of their show. Their post was accompanied by Green Day's Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) and a carousel of photos showing them through the years.
"To our dearest Boys' Night Out family on Magic 89.9—thank you for standing with us through 19 unforgettable years. Though new management chose not to give us one last show, every laugh, story, and memory we've shared together will forever live in our hearts," it read.
"We do not condone toxic superiors, power-tripping, or division in the very workplace we called home for nearly two decades... This is not goodbye—the spirit of Boys' Night Out continues to live on through each of you, and together we will carry it into the future," it added.
BNO's abrupt end
The radio show was reportedly canceled after Gamboa shared screenshots of a group chat that allegedly showed their program director attempting to silence the hosts after they discussed the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court.
The day after her post, Gamboa shared on Facebook that she resigned from Magic "and this will be BNO’s last week on radio.”
“I was a Magic DJ for 17 years so while this decision broke my heart into a billion pieces, it was the right thing to do…the fact that all 3 of us are leaving together brings me so much peace. These guys are my brothers,” added Gamboa.
She then invited her followers to join their last show on Oct. 2, teasing that “a couple of old friends” would be dropping by.
However, it did not push through.
According to Gamboa’s Facebook reel posted on Oct. 1, “they just took away what was supposed to be our #LastNightOut by putting us on preventative suspension for the things I said Monday evening,” seemingly referring to the management of Magic 89.9.
In the same reel, Gamboa, who was in tears, lamented the abrupt manner in which she and her co-hosts were leaving the FM station.
“Why should I stay in a place that doesn’t value that kind of passion, dedication, loyalty, hard work?” Gamboa asked.
“These guys, they’re my brothers and they deserve more than this. Tony and Slick, I’m so sorry. You deserve so much better. I love you both so much. And this is not the end for us,” Gamboa added.
She ended her reel by telling her followers that she and her co-hosts would “see you for one last night. We’ll let you know when that will be.”
Former BNO hosts, guests bid goodbye
With almost two decades on the air, there was much to reminisce. Former BNO hosts and guests have taken to social media to bid farewell to the iconic show.
Actor and comedian Alex Calleja, who was a co-host from 2013 to 2018, commended BNO for being instrumental in his career as a stand-up comic.
Another former BNO host Sam YG (Samir Gogna), posted a series of Instagram stories where he alternately recalled happier times with BNO and shared posts from Gamboa and loyal BNO listeners.
Yet another former BNO co-host, Gino Quillamor, shared a series of stories showing tributes from well-known fans of the show, including Jugs Jugueta and Sponge Cola.
In a Facebook post, singer-songwriter Aliya Parks thanked the BNO hosts “for the laughter, the education, the food for thought, the healthy debates, the unhealthy roasts.”
Sex therapist Rica Cruz lauded the BNO hosts for encouraging her to stay the course. On Facebook, she wrote, “The boys were the ones who pushed me to talk about sex—openly, publicly, bravely. They told me to teach, and say what I have to say. And when I was bashed, judged, and thrown indecent proposals, they said, ‘Keep going. This is what the country needs’.”
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Magic 89.9 for a statement regarding the end of BNO, but hasn’t heard back as of writing.
