Legit Dabarkads remain humble amid E.A.T. noontime ratings lead

Finally, the excitement is starting to settle in as the first week of the noontime shows comes to a close.

This week, a revisited habit has definitely been formed as it’s still a very substantial lead for the undisputed kings of noontime — Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon and the Legit Dabarkads — after the very credible and factual AGB Nielsen released its data last July 3.

E.A.T.’s pilot episode garnered a 6.3 percent average program rating and 6.22 million audience reach. That is still high for noontime numbers with their former producer TAPE, Inc.’s Eat Bulaga (EB) coming in second at 3.25 percent on GMA and It’s Showtime with 1.62 percent on GTV, .97 percent on A2Z and .33 percent on the Kapamilya Channel.

Jose Manalo (left) and Wally Bayola share their reaction on their noontime ratings lead.

The following days we still saw a substantial lead of the TVJ Productions’ show, which left us to wonder if the competition is really between TAPE’s EB and It’s Showtime having closer ratings numbers and audience share figures.

While ALT or second accounts were set up to question the strong lead of the noontime OGs, as well as “Kingdom” accounts that pretend to be legitimate but are never an official affiliate of other shows and try to counter the success of TVJ and the Legit Dabarkads, plus, keyboard warriors who attack anyone posting about the factual success of E.A.T., this did nothing for the hoping competitors.

In theory, it might have even been driving people away to join the community they’re promoting because of the negativity they spew online.

But what do we expect? They’re collectively known and labeled under the category of trolls or as what henyo master Joey said, “Bash is for bashura (garbage),” while the show dedicated a segment with a message to them called Babala! ‘Wag Kayong Ganun!

The amazing part about the E.A.T. gang all throughout this is that they never engage with the lowly gutter noise of the Internet and that’s what makes them fly high. TVJ and the Legit Dabarkads are focusing solely on improving their show for the audience and staying in their lane.

We spoke to Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola this week and here is their reaction on their noontime ratings lead, with reference to their humble showbiz beginnings.

“Kailangan iyon lagi ‘pag sinabi mo nag-rate ka o matagal na show mo, hindi kailangan mo mag-mataas. Hindi maganda na ganoon (ang) attitude ng isang artista,” Jose said.

“Siguro na-train na rin kami, iyong nakikita namin sa TVJ kung gaano sila ka humble din. Kami rin hindi kami nanggaling sa kutsara at tinidor na kinakain. Noong bata kami kumakain kami straw nga ata ginagamit namin! Para mas matipid mabubusog ka agad,” he further quipped.

For his part, Wally added, “Hindi namin pinapansin iyong mga iyan kasi lahat naman iisa lang ang gusto at iyon ay magpasaya ng tao.”

While this strategy is working very well for the E.A.T. family, the show’s new segments have become viral already. One of which is Vortas V, wherein tough male performers transform into fierce dancers with Beyoncé-esque moves that leave the audience in shock.

Wally revealed that it was Jose and TVJ Productions, Inc. COO Jenny Ferre who thought of it over casual lunch time banter and bonding session.

“Nakaupo lang mami ni Jenny, tapos may lalabas na lang na, ‘Uy maganda iyon!’ Tara gawin natin. Kapag may lumabas na ganoon nabubuo lang iyon sa kwentuhan,” Jose shared.

Same goes when both of them go on shows. It has been a natural practice.

“Kapag bumibiyahe kami, hindi kami nagsusulat ng routine. Kapag may nakita na kami na pang-banter papunta sa show, ginagamit na agad namin sa show.”

Their zeal for delivering great content for viewers, said Wally and Jose, is at an all-time high. Though no show is perfect, they strive to improve all aspects of E.A.T. as days go by.

“Para kaming mga baguhan na nag-ta-trabaho. Sabik na sabik kami! Isang buwan kami hindi humawak ng mic. Hinahanap nga ng mga audioman yung mic. Nalagay ko sa bulsa ko!” Jose shared.

Meanwhile, Wally is still over the moon over the love that they have been receiving from the public since their comeback.

“Overwhelming, hindi kami makapaniwala! Na ganon kalakas o init (ang) pagtanggap. Iyong pasasalamat, ‘di natin maalis,” he said.

Catch E.A.T. on TV5 from Mondays to Fridays at noontime, and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.