Paolo Contis admits they can’t replace Tito, Vic and Joey in ‘Eat Bulaga’: ‘We’re just called to work’

Eat Bulaga

“Eat Bulaga” new hosts Alexa Miro, Cassy Legaspi, Paolo Contis, Mavy Legaspi, Buboy Villar and Betong Sumaya; Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. Image: Instagram/@sparklegmaartistcenter, @eatbulaga1979

Paolo Contis clarified that the new “Eat Bulaga” hosts are not aiming to replace Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon in the noontime show, but the actor appealed to fans to give them a chance as they were only called to help.

Contis said this in an exclusive interview with GMA entertainment reporter Aubrey Carampel, as seen on “24 Oras” on Monday, June 5. Contis’ fellow hosts Betong Sumaya and Buboy Villar were also present during the interview.

“We’re very honored na kami ‘yung napili to continue the show,” the actor told Carampel. “Syempre lilinawin lang din natin na walang planong palitan—wala kaming chance palitan si Tito, Vic and Joey. Wala kaming chance do’n.”

(We’re very honored that we were chosen to continue the show. But of course, we would like to clarify that we do not plan on replacing—there’s no chance for us to replace Tito, Vic and Joey. We don’t stand a chance against them.)

“We were just called to work to continue the show because gusto ng TAPE na makapagbigay ng papremyo, saya every day (TAPE wants to give prizes and happiness every day),” he continued.

Sumaya then spoke about how they felt uplifted by the welcoming atmosphere at the “Eat Bulaga” studio.

“Pag pasok mo dito, ‘yung atmosphere dito sa TAPE talagang naramdaman mo na nando’n sila para bigyan kami ng suportang itaas ‘yung—kasi minsan syempre di ba ang dami mong nararamdaman, pero dito alam mong solid ‘yung samahan,” he stated.

(When you enter [the studio], you can really feel in the atmosphere that TAPE is there to support us. There are times when you would feel [an unwelcoming vibe] in a production, but here you would know that their bond is tight.)

Villar, for his part, noted that he is focused on providing entertainment to the viewers as he said, “Nagtiwala po sila sa akin at magtitiwala rin po ako sa mga nanonood.” (They trusted me so I will also put my trust in the audience.)

Before ending the interview, Contis then made an appeal to fans as he vowed to exert their “100%” effort to continue the show.

“I hope you give us a chance kasi at the end of the day tinatawag kami para tumulong sa tao, makapagpasaya ng tao (because at the end of the day, we are called to help and bring happiness to people)—how can you say no to that?” he said.

The new set of hosts composed of Contis, Sumaya, Villar, Mavy and Cassy Legaspi, and Alexa Miro were introduced on June 5. After the live “Eat Bulaga” episode, the hosts along with TAPE executives Romeo Jalosjos, Jr., Bullet Jalosjos and Soraya Jalosjos held a thanksgiving Mass at the studio, as seen on Bullet’s Instagram Stories.

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Aside from clips from the Mass, Bullet also treated fans to behind-the-scenes moments from the noontime show.

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

Image: Instagram/@bullet888

TVJ announced their departure from TAPE last May 31. Tito later disclosed that they only came up with the decision to “disengage” from the production company moments prior to the announcement, after TAPE forbade them from airing live episodes that day.  /ra

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