TITO Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon announced yesterday that they are parting ways with TAPE Inc.
In a livestream of “Eat Bulaga!” on its YouTube channel, the three veteran hosts turned emotional as they reminisced about the 44 years they spent on the long-running noontime show.
“Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para makapagtrabaho pero hindi po kami pinayagang umere ng new management ng live. Hindi po kami pinayagan mag-live ng new management,” Tito said.
“Kung natatandaan niyo po, July 30, 1979 nang simulan namin ang ‘Eat Bulaga!,’ 44 years na po ngayong taon. Kaya naman lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa mga naging tahanan naming, unang una ang RPN 9 for nine years, ang ABS-CBN for six years, at ang GMA for 28 years,” added de Leon.
Vic then thanked all the advertisers and viewers, who patronized the noontime program for over four decades ago. The three likewise thanked former TAPE Inc. CEO Tony Tuviera for his trust and friendship.
Vic added, “Simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE Inc. Karangalan po namin na kami’y nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay niyo. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Hanggang sa muli, saan man kami dalahin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa.”
Following the surprising announcement of the trio which took social media by storm, GMA Network issued a statement saying it is saddened by this “unexpected turn of events.”
“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,” the network 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,” it added.
TV5 ‘transfer’
A reliable source confirmed to Philstar.com that “Eat Bulaga!” is in talks with Bacolod City mayor Albee Benitez for a transfer to TV5.
Benitez is the founder and owner of Brightlight Productions, the TV production company behind “Eat Bulaga’s” former rival noontime show “Lunch Out Loud” that was later reformatted into the now defunct “Tropang LOL,” as well as Korina Sanchez’s show “Rated Korina” and variety show “Sunday ‘Kada” – both still airing on TV5 and ABS-CBN’s affiliate platforms. (ABS-CBN News/with a report from Philstar.com)
