(From left) Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Eat Bulaga
Updated 5:20 p.m.
TAPE Inc., is “saddened” by “Eat Bulaga” mainstays Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon’s departure from the production company, but it stressed that “life must go on.”
Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos, the chief finance officer of TAPE Inc., released an official statement through his Instagram Stories on Thursday, June 1.
“TAPE, Inc. is saddened by the turn of events yesterday, May 31, but we respect the decision of the hosts to leave ‘Eat Bulaga’ and GMA 7 Network, which has been their home for 28 years,” the statement read.
“We are grateful to the men and women who worked tirelessly for the past 43 years to make our noontime show number 1,” it added. “The success of ‘Eat Bulaga’ is not dependent only on three people but on the collaborative efforts of its talents, crew, and loyal viewers.”
The production company then assured fans of its commitment “to provide quality entertainment,” and thanked GMA network for its “full support in making ‘Eat Bulaga’ bigger.”
TAPE also teased about the noontime show’s new hosts, saying, “Aasahan niyo ang mas masaya, mas nakakaaliw at HIGIT PA SA ISANG LIBO’T ISANG TUWA NA ‘Eat Bulaga.”
“It is unfortunate, but life must go on. As with life, we have to accept changes but we have a duty to every Filipino,” it said of TVJ’s departure. “Ang pag-alis ng mga hosts ay hindi dahilan para tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo,” the statement concluded.
Image: Instagram/@bullet888
Aside from Jalosjos, the statement was also signed by Romeo Jalosjos Jr., as president and chief executive officer. The two are children of former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Sr., who owns TAPE.
TVJ announced that they are leaving TAPE on Wednesday, May 31, weeks after reports of the noontime show’s debacle with the production company. EDV