Eat Bulaga hosts leave home TV production company

MANILA, Philippines — The main hosts of the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga – former senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon – announced yesterday that they are parting ways with the show’s production company, Television and Production Exponent (TAPE) Inc.

In yesterday’s episode of Eat Bulaga, which was streamed on YouTube but not aired on GMA channel, the trio said they have said goodbye to TAPE Inc.

“Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para magtrabaho pero hindi po kami pinayagan ng new management na umere ng live (We came today to work but the new management didn’t allow us to broadcast live on air),” Tito said.

De Leon recalled that they started the show on July 30, 1979 and it has been running for 44 years. He then thanked the networks that had been their home for the past years – RPN9 for nine years, ABS-CBN for six years and GMA7 for 28 years.

“Nagpapasalamat din kami sa lahat ng advertisers mula 1979 na nagmahal, nagtiwala at sumuporta sa amin (We also thank all the advertisers since 1979 who loved, trusted and supported us),” added Vic.

Tito also expressed their gratitude to the “dabarkads and the viewers” of the show. “Sa inyong pagmamahal sa programang naging bahagi ng inyong tanghalian (For the love that you have shown to the program that has become part of your noon time),” he said.

“Lubos din ang aming pasasalamat kay Mr. Tony Tuviera sa pagkakaibigan at pagiging bahagi ng aming pamilya. At higit sa lahat, sa Panginoong Diyos na kahit kailan hindi kami pinabayaan (We would like to also extend our thanks to Mr. Tony Tuviera for the friendship and being part of our family. Most of all, to the Lord God for not ever leaving us),” he added.

“Hindi na po namin isa-isahin pa ang laman ng aming puso. Ang hangad lang po namin ay makapagtrabaho ng mapayapa, walang inaagrabyado at may respeto sa bawat isa (We will no longer enumerate what is in our hearts. We all just want to work smoothly, without offending anyone and maintaining respect for each other),” Vic said.

“Simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023, kami po ay magpaalam na sa TAPE Incorporated. Karangalan po namin na kami ay nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula sa Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay niyo. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Hanggang sa muli (Starting today, May 31, 2023, we are saying goodbye to TAPE Incorporated. It has been an honor to bring joy and happiness to the viewers from Batanes to Jolo and be part of your lives. Thank you very much everyone. Until then),” Vic added.

“Saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa (Wherever fate takes us, a thousand and one joys continue),” he concluded.

Fellow Eat Bulaga hosts Allan K, Maine Medoza, Ryan Agoncillo, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, Paolo Ballesteros and Ryzza Mae Dizon can be seen in the video giving a group hug to the team.

GMA Network, for their part, issued a statement following the announcement.

“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,” it said.

“Together with all the Filipino fans, we pray for a smooth and swift resolution of their issues. Maraming salamat sa patuloy na suporta, mga Kapuso (Thank you for the continued support, Kapuso),” it added.