That's My Bae
| Company type | Dance ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | August 24, 2015 |
| Defunct | May 2019 |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
| Products | Dance performances, television appearances |
That's My Bae—also referred to as EB Baes, TMB, or Trops—was a Philippine dance ensemble that originated from the That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest segment on the popular noontime variety program Eat Bulaga!. The group officially launched on August 24, 2015, and dissolved in May 2019. It was composed of six performers: Kim Last, Kenneth Medrano, Joel Palencia, Tommy Peñaflor, Jon Timmons, and Miggy Tolentino. Originally, the lineup included seven members with Gab Bayan, who exited in 2015 and was succeeded by JV Suzara, who departed the following year.
2015: Formation through That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest and member adjustments
On July 6, 2015, Eat Bulaga! introduced the That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest, hosted by Sam Y.G. and Alden Richards. This competition showcased male dancers known as "baes," who performed to Brandon Beal's 2014 single "Twerk It Like Miley" to demonstrate their skills and charisma. Contestants who won daily rounds proceeded through eliminations until seven finalists were selected: Gab Bayan, Kim Last, Kenneth Medrano, Joel Palencia, Tommy Peñaflor, Jon Timmons, and Miggy Tolentino.
Kenneth Medrano emerged as the grand champion in August 2015. Following the contest, Medrano along with the other finalists made frequent appearances on Eat Bulaga! under the group name That's My Bae, derived from the contest title. To enhance their exposure, they were granted a dedicated segment called ATM with the Baes, solidifying their status as regular performers on the program.
The initial seven-member formation experienced a subtle change when Gab Bayan left in December 2015 to resume his studies at Far Eastern University. JV Suzara, a semi-finalist from the contest, stepped in as his replacement without any formal announcement.
2016–2019: JV Suzara's exit, acting pursuits, concert plans, and anniversary celebration
Following their stint on ATM with the Baes, That's My Bae participated in various other Eat Bulaga! segments such as Hotline Bae, Dancing in Tandem, and Kalyeserye. Kenneth Medrano took on a supporting role portraying Peping in a flashback narrative about Nidora and Anselmo’s romance within Kalyeserye. The group also featured as part of AlDub's wedding entourage during the segment.
In February 2016, JV Suzara departed after a short tenure to establish Bae Alert—an all-male dance troupe formed with fellow semi-finalists from the That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest on Eat Bulaga!. Consequently, That's My Bae continued as a six-member ensemble.
In March 2016, the group appeared in the "Walang Kapalit" episode of the annual Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special. Kenneth Medrano took on his first leading role while other members made cameo appearances. By June 2016, Medrano led in the morning drama series Calle Siete, paired with newcomer Taki Saito who also became a regular performer alongside That's My Bae on Eat Bulaga!. Additionally, Kim Last secured a regular spot on the Sunday comedy-variety program Sunday PinaSaya.
On October 8, 2016, Eat Bulaga! commemorated That's My Bae's anniversary by declaring "Bae Day" and announced their own television series titled Trops. The show featured Taki Saito and newcomer Toni Aquino—daughter of host Ruby Rodriguez. Produced by TAPE, Inc. and broadcast by GMA Network, Trops marked the group's debut in acting. The series premiered on October 24, 2016.
On December 3, 2016, an announcement was made by Eat Bulaga! regarding That's My Bae and Taki Saito's inaugural concert scheduled for December 16 at SM City North EDSA Sky Dome. However, this event was postponed for undisclosed reasons and rescheduled to March 24, 2017 under the title #TropsGoals: Party with the Baes.
2019: Group Dissolution
In an interview, Joel Palencia conveyed his appreciation to APT Management and Eat Bulaga!, emphasizing that the dance group had not been officially removed from the program. Nevertheless, as 2019 advanced, their appearances on the show became increasingly limited, primarily featuring as occasional guests. Ultimately, in May 2019, the group was formally dissolved.
Members
The ensemble ceased activities in May 2019.
Principal Members
Kim Last
Kim Michael Last (born January 20, 1997) is a British-Filipino originally from Kings Cross, London, who relocated to the Philippines at age 17. Prior to participating in That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest, he studied government and politics at Chelsea Academy and briefly worked as a backup dancer for Morissette Amon and KZ Tandingan. Additionally, he trained as a boxing personal trainer. Following his rise to prominence on Eat Bulaga!, he became a regular cast member on the comedy-variety show Sunday PinaSaya. As the youngest member of the group, he has since retired from the entertainment industry.
Kenneth Medrano
Kenneth Earl Gesulga Medrano (born May 9, 1991) is from Cebu City. Before joining Eat Bulaga!, he was enrolled in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation while working part-time as a bartender and model. He gained widespread attention through viral Dubsmash videos and secured victory in That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest. His acting career took off with his portrayal of Pacoy Alvero in Buena Familia.
Joel Palencia
Joel Palencia (born March 7, 1992) hails from Antipolo, Rizal. Before entering That's My Bae, he was a Tourism Management student at Our Lady of Fatima University and had competed in male beauty pageants, winning Ginoong Antipolo in 2015. Encouraged to pursue television opportunities, he joined That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest.
Tommy Peñaflor
Tomas Peñaflor II (born February 12, 1993), originally from Dinalupihan, Bataan, earned a degree in Radiologic Technology from Perpetual Help College of Manila but opted to focus on dance and acting instead. Prior to joining Eat Bulaga!, he was a Top 15 semi-finalist on ABS-CBN's It's Showtime competition. In 2019, Peñaflor won the Man of the World title at the Mister Filipinos Pageant. His family operates a spa and gas refill station business. He is currently in a relationship with someone outside the entertainment industry.
Jon Timmons
Jonathan Mark Cabico Timmons (born February 21, 1991) is a Filipino American originally from Los Angeles. He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Science from El Camino College and previously worked part-time as a cashier before traveling to the Philippines to compete in That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest. After his success there, he chose to stay in the Philippines. Timmons is recognized as the eldest member of the group.
Miggy Tolentino
Luis Miguel Evangelista Tolentino (born April 20, 1996) is from Caloocan, Metro Manila. Before joining That's My Bae, he was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Universidad de Manila and endorsed various perfumes and skincare products while making guest appearances on several shows.
Former members
Gab Bayan
Jose Gabriel Garra Bayan, commonly called Gab, was born on July 4, 1996, and originates from Pasig, Rizal. As a second-year student at Far Eastern University, he reached the grand finals of That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest and became one of the initial seven performers in the in-house dance ensemble That's My Bae. Bayan exited the group within months to prioritize his academic pursuits. He also made a guest appearance on Eat Bulaga!'s BOOM! segment as a blue team participant.
JV Suzara
John Vincent Suzara, known as JV and born on March 29, 1996, comes from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. He competed in That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest but was eliminated during the semi-final round. Following Gab's exit, Suzara joined That's My Bae as his substitute but departed after several months to establish Bae Alert, a male performance group formed by other semi-finalists from the same competition. JV featured in Hakot Pa More! segments alongside other celebrities on June 10 and 12, 2017.
Timeline
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Concerts
- TropsGoal: Party With The Bae (2017)
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Trenderas | Jon Timmons as Host of The Next Pinoy Pop Icon | Guest appearance on TV5 |
| 2015–2019 | Eat Bulaga! | themselves Gab guesting on BOOM! |
Participants in That's My Bae: "Twerk It" Dance Contest Resident male dance group |
| 2015 | Wagas: Langit at Lupa | Kenneth Medrano portraying George† | First anthology drama alongside partner Kylie Padilla on GMA News TV |
| Ismol Family | Kenneth Medrano as Benjamin | Guest role in comedy series | |
| The Half Sisters | Kenneth Medrano playing Atty. Rodel Dimaano | Special guest role | |
| Alisto! | Kenneth Medrano Tommy Peñaflor Kim Last appearing as themselves |
Episode guest stars | |
| 2015–2016 | Buena Familia | Kenneth Medrano as Pacoy Alvero† | First significant acting role (from antagonist to protagonist) |
| Juan Tamad | Jon Timmons as TomDen Rodriguez Joel Palencia as Eddie Boy Jones Tommy Peñaflor as Mark Rehas Kim Last as Jepoy Bagalihog Miggy Tolentino as Dan Ragondon Gab Bayan as Rocco Nachino |
Guest appearances in comedy series | |
| 2016 | Kalyeserye | Themselves featured as Models in Yaya Dub's fashion show Jon Timmons and Joel Palencia as Santa Bae Kim Last portraying Santa Bae / Camilo Kenneth Medrano as Santa Bae / Pepito |
Minor roles / Special appearances |
| Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special: Walang Kapalit | Kenneth Medrano playing Carlo Miggy Tolentino, Joel Palencia, and Kim Last as Carlo's friends |
Lead role for Kenneth Medrano; others featured in cameo roles | |
| Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special: God Gave Me You | Tommy Peñaflor and Jon Timmons cast as Flight Attendants | Cameo roles | |
| Calle Siete | Kenneth Medrano portraying Jonas Delloso | Debut family comedy-drama series | |
| 2016–2019 | Sunday PinaSaya | themselves Kim Last serving as co-host |
Regular performers |
| 2016–2017 | Trops | Kenneth Medrano as Kenneth Mercado Miggy Tolentino playing Miguelito "Miggy" Tolentino Joel Palencia portraying Joel Santos Jon Timmons as Jonathan Masson Tommy Peñaflor playing Tommy Fernando Kim Last acting as Kim Michael Park |
First television series with Taki Saito; co-stars include Toni Aquino, Krystal Reyes, Shaira Mae dela Cruz |
| 2017 | Magpakailanman: #LoveKnowsNoAge: The Mitch Tandingan and Gil Moreno Jr. Millennial Love Story | Kenneth Medrano starring as Gil Moreno Jr.† | Second anthology drama with partner Ash Ortega |
| Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special: Pagpapatawad | Kenneth Medrano cast as Carlo de la Rosa | Part of Eat Bulaga!'s second Lenten special series | |
| Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special: Prinsesa | Joel Palencia portraying Ato Tommy Peñaflor playing Gary |
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| Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special: Mansyon | Miggy Tolentino acting as Migoy Neruda Jon Timmons portraying James Marcelo Kim Last playing Nikko Bragancia |
||
| D' Originals | Kim Last cast as Dan† | Supporting guest role | |
| iBilib | Themselves alongside Taki Saito, Krystal Reyes, Toni Aquino | Guest feature | |
| Magpakailanman: Reyna ng Tubig: The Jay Kummer "Dodoy" Teberio Story | Kenneth Medrano in lead role as Alvin | ||
| Hay, Bahay! | Miggy Tolentino and Kim Last guest starring with Taki Saito | Episode guest roles | |
| 2017/2018 | Pepito Manaloto | Guest appearances by Miggy Tolentino, Joel Palencia, Tommy Peñaflor | Episode guest performances |
| 2018–present | Iskoolmates | Gab Bayan hosting duties | Youth-focused debate program |
| 2019 | Umagang Kay Ganda | Tommy Peñaflor contestant | Featured in Videokray segment |
| Wagas: Throwback Pag-Ibig | Role played by Joel Palencia | ||
| Beautiful Justice | Role portrayed by Kim Last | ||
| 2020–present | Rise and Shine Pilipinas | Hosted by Gab Bayan | Morning television program |
| 2020-2021 | Ate ng Ate Ko | Lead role by Kim Last | First drama project with TV5 network |
| 2022–present | TiktoClock | Featuring Kim Last, Miggy Tolentino, Jon Timmons | Television comeback following a four-year hiatus on GMA Network |
Movies
| Year | Film Title | Character(s) | Remarks | Production Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Glorious | Tommy Peñaflor portraying Sam | Supporting character | Dreamscape Digital Production |
| 2015 | My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore | Themselves | Ensemble cameo appearance | OctoArts Films M-Zet Productions APT Entertainment GMA Films MEDA Productions |
| Wang Fam | Jon Timmons in the role of Boarder | Supporting character | Viva Films | |
| 2014 | Talk Back and You're Dead | Joel Palencia as a student of Mr. Pendleton | Cameo role | |
| 2013 | Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy | Jon Timmons playing Bartender |
Awards
| Year | Award Title | Category | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 48th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Recording/Performing Group | Template:Won |