Tito, Vic, Joey will stay as ‘Eat Bulaga’ hosts amid ‘rebonding,’ TAPE executive says
Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. Image: Instagram/@eatbulaga1979
Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos, the chief finance officer of production company TAPE Inc. which handles “Eat Bulaga,” assured the public that mainstays Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) will remain as hosts of the variety show as it undergoes “rebonding.”
In an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Jalosjos addressed the several speculations surrounding the country’s longest noontime variety show, including the alleged “takeover” of the Jalosjos family in its production company.
“Wala naman pong takeover. It’s just that, people have been retiring—si Tony Tuviera nag-retire na po starting March and Tita Malou Fagar also—so it’s just right na pumasok na rin po and maging active ang board of directors sa kompanya,” he said, explaining show producer Tuviera had already “asked to retire” even before the pandemic.
Jalosjos noted that his dad, Romeo Jalosjos, “begged” Tuviera to stay a little bit longer but that Tuviera decided to step down last March—a decision Romeo agreed to. Bullet also pointed out that their family has always been the major stockholder in the production company, but some may have been unaware of this because his dad “has always been quiet in regards to ‘Eat Bulaga.'”
The Dapitan mayor further clarified that he and his sister Soraya have been part of the board for around four years now, but that they hadn’t been “actively participating” because they did not want to “shake anything when nothing was wrong with it.”
“People are talking about rebranding but ang joke nga ni Joey mismo, ‘It’s not a rebranding. It’s actually a rebonding.’ Rebonding ng kompanya, ng mga pamilya sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ ng executives, at ng GMA,” he explained. “What we are doing right now is trying to get involved, immersed ourselves sa show and I think it’s about time na maipasok na rin ang pamilya sa ‘Eat Bulaga.'”
Bullet admitted that they had a “difficult time at first” as they are still building a relationship and earning the trust of the production. He then credited Tito, Vic, Joey and Tuviera for being their “guide” and for assisting them in their journey as the board of the company, stressing that all is well between them and the rest of “Eat Bulaga” hosts.
“Kamusta ang relasyon ng dad mo sa TVJ?” Abunda asked, to which Bullet responded, “I think it’s OK, very good. They still communicate especially after the meeting. They wanted to just clarify what’s happening to the show.”
Bullet was referring to the meeting that happened in February wherein they announced the retirement of Tuviera and the appointment of Bullet’s brother, Cong. Romeo “Jon-jon” Jalosjos Jr. as the president of TAPE Inc.
“[TVJ] have always been a part and will always be a part of ‘Eat Bulaga’ so kahit baliktarin natin, hindi talaga sila pwedeng mawala. ‘Eat Bulaga’ cannot live without TVJ and I think, personally my opinion also, that TVJ cannot live without ‘Eat Bulaga,'” he continued.
TVJ stays with ‘Eat Bulaga’; ‘Eat Bulaga’ stays with GMA
Bullet revealed that they are now working toward improving “Eat Bulaga,” and that therefore changes and new segments will be observed. Although he did not state any specific plans, Bullet assured the public that no one would be removed from the show.
“Are you assuring the public that TVJ will stay?” Abunda asked, to which Bullet answered, “Definitely,” adding that other cast members will also still be part of the show.
“We just want to assure the public that we’re coming up with a—I can’t say new but a more improved ‘Eat Bulaga.’ I think we’re gonna be adding more shows and like I said, bigger prizes and more exciting segments,” he continued.
Bullet then dismissed speculations that the show will be transferred to NET25, saying he has been in communication with GMA executives regarding the changes in the variety show. He also noted that their current contract with the network is effective until 2025.
Bullet further assured the public that the company is financially stable in contrast to the rumors on social media. He also reiterated that there is no bad blood between the Jalosjos family and Tuviera, and that TVJ has been very “cooperative” with the new board of the company.
During the latter part of the interview, the Dapitan mayor was asked by Abunda about what he thought fueled those kinds of rumors about the show.
“I think it’s just a fear of change… And with change, there’s always some sort of transformation. We have to accept that and we also need to understand that we have to adapt,” he replied. “People who don’t adapt and who don’t understand, sometimes sila ‘yung naiiwan.” /ra
