Image: screengrab from Facebook/TVJ
Before ending their pilot episode on TV5, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) confirmed that their new noontime show will be called “EAT.”
“Marami na tayong pinagdaanan, maraming pagbabagong sama-sama nating kinaharap, pero isa ‘to sa mga pinakamakahulugan,” Tito said. “Dadalhin namin to saan man tayo makarating.”
(We have faced a lot [of challenges] and changes together, but this is quite a meaningful one. We will carry this with us wherever we go.)
Vic then thanked the Kapatid network, MediaQuest Holdings, show sponsors as well as the Dabarkads supporters, and assured the public of many more segments to watch out for on the show.
De Leon, for his part, underscored how they have stood strong as noontime regulars under four different TV stations and seven administrations, adding in jest that they were just waiting for US President Joe Biden to assume office in the country.
“Marami pang record, Menggay, ang pwede pa nating gawin na magkakasama pero ang pinakamabigat na tumatak sa amin…,” said De Leon as he spoke to co-host Maine Mendoza and eventually broke into tears anew. (We can still make a lot of records together, Menggay, but what struck us the most was…)
“Ay yung nalaman namin na…,” Vic interjected. (…was when we learned that…)
“Mahal niyo kami,” Joey finished. (You love us.)
Vic, who also became emotional after De Leon’s statement, addressed their fans and admitted, “Dabarkads, hinihintay pa rin namin ang pag-uwi ng pangalang itinawag namin for almost 44 years,” referring to their ongoing “Eat Bulaga” trademark ownership application.
(Dabarkads, we are still awaiting the return of the name that we have been using for almost 44 years.)
“Sa ngayon ang mahalaga ay sama-sama kami, sama-sama tayo. May nagkalinga po sa amin nung panahong di namin alam kung paano at kung saan kami dadalhin ng tadhana,” he added.
(What’s important now is that we are all together, [and that] someone took us under their wing when we had no idea where fate would take us.)
Speaking about the much-awaited reveal of the show’s title, Vic then declared, “Ang title po namin ay ang title kung ano ang tawag po sa amin. Ipinapangako po namin na E-A-T, everyday ang tawanan.”
(Our title is the one we are known for. We promise that every day there will be laughter.)
Tito continued, “E-A-T, eto ang tunay (This is the real one),” which was followed by De Leon’s definition of the term, “EAT, eto ang tears—hindi, eto ang true.” (This is tears—no, but seriously, this is true.)
“Basta E-A-T, Eto Ang Title,” De Leon added. (This is the title.)
Vic then finally said, “Kaya buong bansa, buong mundo, EAT—Everyday, Always Together!” (So, the whole country, the whole world is EAT—Everyday, Always Together!)
TVJ, alongside fellow hosts Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Allan K, Paolo Ballesteros, Ryan Agoncillo, Wally Bayola, Ryzza Mae Dizon and Carren Eistrup, launched “EAT” Saturday, July 1. /ra