Tito Sotto. Image: screengrab from YouTube/One PH
Tito Sotto clarified that he, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) have no involvement in the talks regarding the apparent adjustment of the noontime run of “It’s Showtime” on TV5 to make way for the trio’s new show.
Tito spoke about the recent transfer of TVJ to TV5, which he regards as a “new chapter” for them, in an interview for “Cristy Ferminute” on Wednesday, June 7.
“Kami ay nagagalak at natutuwa na magkakaroon kami ng bagong chapter ng aming mga showbiz careers, at magkakaroon din kami ng bagong kombinasyon na sinasabi ni Pareng Joey na…pangKapatid na, pang-Dabarkads pa. Galing daw kay Gretchen Ho ‘yon,” Tito said, referring to the TV5 broadcaster.
(We are ecstatic to have a new chapter [and a new combination] in our showbiz careers. [To quote] Gretchen Ho, we’re not only Dabarkads but Kapatid as well.)
When asked what made the trio decide to choose TV5 as their new home, Tito revealed, “Napakaganda po ng kanilang mga offer.” (They have very good offers.)
“Nung nag-uusap-usap kami—ilang araw namin pinagmi-meeting-an mula nung June 1 pa lang hanggang kagabi—ang TV5 ang pinakamagandang oportunidad, ang pinakamagandang offer kasi ang TV5 hindi lang air-TV, napakaraming platforms,” he stated.
(We have been having meetings about it since June 1. TV5 stood out among the rest because they provided the best opportunity and the best offer to us, and because they have several platforms aside from the [free TV].)
Tito further said that they still have no date for the launch of their new show but noted that they will be returning on-air “as soon as possible.” He added that given the preparations that still need to be done, they might be able to launch their show in the first week of July.
Tito was then asked by Fermin what will happen to “It’s Showtime” which currently holds the noontime slot on TV5.
“Ay hindi po kami nakikialam sa usapin na ‘yon,” he responded. “Ang istasyon po ang bahala pagdating do’n sa airtime at sila na ang didiskarte kung papaano po ang gagawin. Hindi po kami nakikialam do’n sa parte na ‘yon.”
(We are not interfering in the talks regarding that. The TV station will be the one to decide on the airtime [of the shows]. We have no involvement in that part.)
The former Senate president then pointed out that despite everything that has happened, they are very happy because of the support they have been receiving, especially from the several networks that offered to be their new home.
Tito also touched on the topic of the “Eat Bulaga” copyright, saying they are aiming to use the title as the name of their new TV5 show.
“‘Yan ang nilalakad namin ngayon sapagkat naniniwala kami na ang history at ang mga batas ay nakakampi sa amin,” he said. “Kami ay sumasandal sa batas, sa katotohanan at sa kasaysayan, kaya alam namin na kami ang nagmamay-ari ng title na ‘Eat Bulaga.'”
(We have been working on that because we believe that history and the law are on our side. We are banking on the law, the truth and the history, that’s why we know that we own the “Eat Bulaga” title.)
Tito then let out a chuckle after he was asked if he has watched GMA’s “Eat Bulaga” episodes with its new set of hosts.
“Hindi, hindi ako nakakapanood. ‘Di ako nanonood,” he answered. (No, I haven’t been able to watch it. I do not watch it.) /ra