(From left) Paolo Contis, Isko Moreno. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Isko Moreno Domagoso
Isko Moreno and Paolo Contis, hosts of the revamped “Eat Bulaga” (EB), congratulated Tito and Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and the original Dabarkads on the airing of their pilot episode on TV5, as they spoke about the start of a new era in noontime television.
The first day of July was a historic time in noontime TV as the comedy trio, also known as TVJ, premiered their new show “Eat” on TV5. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” broadcast its first episode on GMA Network’s GTV as it witnessed Kapamilya and Kapuso stars performing together on one stage.
Contis spoke about this during EB’s episode, which took place on the same day, saying July 1 was a “special” day as it marked a “new noontime habit” on TV.
“Alam ko updated kayo sa mga nangyayari at nag-aabang kayo. Gaya ninyo, excited din po kami. Para sa karamihan, isa itong malaking kumpetisyon. Pero para sa programa gaya ng ‘Eat Bulaga’ na 44 years na po na nagpapasaya, hindi po ito kumpetisyon, pero ito po ay aming inspirasyon,” he said.
(I know that you’re all updated and are looking forward to today’s events. Likewise, we’re also excited. To those who are unaware, this is a big competition. But for a show like “Eat Bulaga” that made people happy for 44 years, this is not a competition. This is our inspiration.)
For his part, Moreno extended his warm regards to TVJ and original Dabarkads, as he likened all the noontime shows to a “buffet” spread where viewers get to choose what they want to watch on TV.
“Tama si Paolo [Contis]. Bago tayo magsimula, to Tito Sen, Vic, and Joey, and their Dabarkads, congratulations sa inyo. Masaya kami may bago na kayong tahanan,” he said. “Masaya kami na marami nang pagpipilian ang tao. At least, ang noontime show ngayon para nang buffet, marami ka nang choices.”
“Taos-puso, ang aming mga kasama, staff, production, the management TAPE Inc., we warmly welcome and congratulate Tito, Vic, and Joey. Congratulations po sa inyo,” he continued.
(Paolo Contis is right. Before we start, to Tito Sen, Vic, Joey, and their Dabarkads, congratulations to you. We’re happy that you have a new home. We’re happy that people now have a lot of choices. At least, the noontime show scene is like a buffet with a lot of choices… With all our hearts, our mates, staff, production crew, our management TAPE Inc., we warmly welcome and congratulate Tito, Vic, and Joey. Congratulations to you.)
Following this, the former Manila Mayor vowed that he and his fellow “Eat Bulaga” hosts will do their best to turn the noontime show as an “afternoon full of joy and hope.”
“Ngayon naman, kami dito ni Paolo at sampu ng aming mga kasama, sa mga viewers natin, in our own little way [and] in a different manner, we will try to make your afternoon full of joy and hope. Dahil ang gusto namin, araw-araw sa tanghalian, kasama niyo kami, ang ‘Eat Bulaga, ‘tulong at saya ang handog namin sa inyo,” he said.
(Right now, Paolo, me, and our 10 fellow hosts, we will do our best for our viewers — in our own little way and in a different manner, we will try to make your afternoon full of joy and hope. Because we want you to be with us during lunch time everyday. “Eat Bulaga” we’ll provide help and happiness to all of you.)
On ‘It’s Showtime’
As “It’s Showtime” premiered its first episode on GTV, Contis welcomed the ABS-CBN noontime show as their “neighbors,” saying he’s glad to call the hosts as fellow Kapuso stars.
“Iwe-welcome ko na rin ang isa pang nagbibigay-saya [sa’tin]. Mas nauna ‘to sa amin pagdating sa mga hosting, pero ngayon kapitbahay na natin sila. [Kaya] sa ‘It’s Showtime,’ welcome! Dahil ngayon kapitbahay na namin kayo, masaya kami na matatawag na namin kayong Kapuso,” he said.
“Kaya kung ano ka man, parte ka man ng Madlang People, Dabarkads, or kung Kapuso ka man, maraming salamat. Masaya kami na na dito kayo. Ang importante, tuluy-tuloy lang po ang pagbibigay namin ng saya dahil ang importante naman ay yung mga viewers natin. Welcome to your new home, ‘It’s Showtime,’” he continued.
(I will also welcome our new mates. They first started hosting before us, but now they’re our neighbors. So to “It’s Showtime,” welcome! Now that we’re neighbors, we’re happy that we can call you as Kapuso… So whether you’re part of the Madlang People, Dabarkads, or Kapuso, thank you. We’re happy that you’re here. What is important is that we’ll keep on bringing joy since it’s important for our viewers. Welcome to your new home, “It’s Showtime.”)
The Kapamilya noontime show previously broadcast under TV5’s noontime slot, before “EAT” took over starting July 1. Despite this, executives of its parent company Mediaquest earlier denied claims that it removed “It’s Showtime” in favor of TVJ’s new show.
The media conglomerate also hinted that the return of the now-defunct comedy shows “Wow Mali” and “Iskul Bukol” were apparently among its plans following the signing of TVJ. EDV