WATCH: Tito and Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon announce Eat Bulaga is leaving TAPE
(From left) Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Eat Bulaga
Updated 7:40 p.m., 2:07 p.m.
“Eat Bulaga,” the longest-running noontime show, has announced its departure from TV production company TAPE Inc. on Wednesday, May 31.
A visibly emotional Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon — surrounded by their fellow hosts — made the announcement today, where Tito pointed out that they were not allowed to air any live episodes per instruction from the “new management.”
“Simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE Inc.,” Vic said. “Karangalan po namin na kami’y nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay ninyo. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Kung saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa.”
Meanwhile, de Leon expressed his gratitude to the show’s supporters, advertisers, and production team for staying by the show’s side through the years.
Article continues after this advertisement“Kung natatandaan niyo po, noong July 30, 1979 nang simulan namin ang ‘Eat Bulaga,’ 44 years na po ngayong taon,” de Leon added, as the show is about to enter its 44th year this July.
Article continues after this advertisement“Lubos ang pasasalamat sa mga naging tahanan namin, unang-una ang RPN-9 for nine years, siyam na taon po. Ang ABS-CBN for six years, anim na taon, at ang GMA for 28 years,” de Leon continued.
A copy of the mainstay hosts’ spiel was obtained by INQUIRER.net on the same day, which showed the transcript of their message.
READ: Tito, Vic, and Joey’s closing spiel as the longest noontime show “Eat Bulaga” announced its departure from TV production company TAPE Inc. on Wednesday, May 31. | @tinaarceodumlao /PDI pic.twitter.com/xlMVWdta4v
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 31, 2023
The hosts, who were spotted wearing white and black during the broadcast, were fighting back tears as they hugged TVJ after the surprise announcement.
The announcement comes weeks after reports of the noontime show’s debacle with the production company, where Tito stressed at an April 2023 interview with showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin that they vow to continue the show “whatever it takes.”
During Tito’s interview with Fermin, he also maintained that TVJ owns the rights to ‘Eat Bulaga. “Kami po ang may-ari ng programang ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Ang may-ari ng TAPE (production company) ay sina Romy Jalosjos. ‘Yun ang alam namin.”
Despite this, the reason for EB’s departure from TAPE Inc. was not announced on the show’s live broadcast. It also remains unknown if this marks the noontime show’s final episode for good.
“Eat Bulaga” has spanned over four decades, with its first episode airing on July 30, 1979 at the then RPN-9. It has since transferred to ABS-CBN, and then to GMA Network. EDV
