Eat Bulaga pillars Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon on Wednesday announced their departure from Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE).
Early on, viewers of the country’s longest-running noontime show were confused when the production aired a rerun of the March 4 episode. Halfway through, the three main hosts settled in the middle with their moods down, indicating that something wasn’t right.
Tito started off by informing their fanbase, the Dabarkads, that all hosts showed up as scheduled for their routine grind but were apparently denied permission by TAPE management to go live for an undisclosed reason.
“Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para magtrabaho pero hindi po kami pinayagang umere ng new management ng live,” Tito said.
Joey then took everyone to nostalgia when he recalled that he, together with the Sotto brothers, started the program nearly 44 years ago on July 30, 1979, and expressed their gratitude to all the television networks that served as the show’s home: RPN 9 for 9 years, ABS-CBN for 6 years, and GMA 7 for 28 years.
Vic went on to thank all the advertisers who have trusted the program since 1979. Most importantly, Tito acknowledged all the Dabarkads who have supported the program since the beginning, as well as Tony Tuviera, who built Eat Bulaga along with the three.
After calming down the voices inside the studio, Vic said the entire production only wanted to work in peace.
“Hindi na po namin iisa-isahin ang laman ng aming mga puso at damdamin, ang hangad lang po namin ay makapagtrabaho ng mapayapa, walang ma-a-agrabyado at may respeto sa bawat isa,” Vic said.
Pausing for a deep breath and holding back tears, Vic said: “Simula ngayong araw May 31, 2023, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE Inc.”
“Karangalan po namin na kami ay nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay ninyo. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,” he announced as the crowd reacted in shock.
With his voice cracking, television’s Bossing promised all the Dabarkads that Eat Bulaga will continue giving joy to the Filipinos.
“Hanggang sa muli, saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa,” he said.
GMA’s statement
Shortly after the announcement, GMA Network released a statement, stating they were saddened by the development.
On the business side, the network said that they still have a block time agreement with TAPE until the end of 2024 for the noontime slot.
The network hoped things would be resolved between the two camps.
“We are saddened by today’s unexpected turn of events with regard to Eat Bulaga. GMA has been the home of Eat Bulaga for many years and we still have a block time agreement with TAPE until the end of 2024 for the noontime slot. Together with all the Filipino fans, we pray for a smooth and swift resolution of their issues,” GMA Network said.
“Maraming salamat sa patuloy na suporta, mga Kapuso,” it added.
Controversy
Things started as a blind item, with TVJ giving off subtle clues about looming internal issues until news of Tuviera being axed by the Jalosjos family, who own TAPE, hogged the headlines.
TAPE is the production company that runs the program, and Tuviera’s APT (Antonio P. Tuviera) Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary.
The legendary trio has always kept mum about the rumors until Tito disclosed the real score upon watching the interview of Dapitan City Mayor and TAPE Chief Finance Officer Bullet Jalosjos with King of Talk Boy Abunda.
Tito revealed that they were “taken aback” by Jalosjos’ statements, which allegedly contradicted everything that was agreed upon by both camps.
In an interview with Nelson Canlas on “24 Oras,” he described Jalosjos’ statements as not only “controversial but inaccurate and false.”
Tito alleged that the new management wanted to implement changes because the program was apparently incurring financial losses.
He denied that Eat Bulaga is experiencing financial constraints, contrary to the statement of the new management. What’s more, he said that they were informed that a little over P400 million worth of political ads placed on the show suddenly vanished.
He also revealed that TAPE still owes his brother Vic and Joey at least P30 million each.
Also among the major changes was the retirement of Tuviera as president and chief executive officer of TAPE to make way for the Jalosjos camp to run the production.
Tito also clarified that Eat Bulaga and TAPE are different entities.
“TAPE is the producer, Eat Bulaga is the production. Eat Bulaga is Tito, Vic and Joey,” he said.
Joey coined the show’s name.
