TVJ trio bids goodbye to TV producer TAPE
2023-May-31 16:28
2023-Jun-02 18:02
GOODBYE DABARKADS. Tito Sotto (left), Vic Sotto (middle), and Joey de Leon (right) announced their departure from Television and Production Exponent (TAPE), Inc. on Wednesday, May 31. PHOTO: EAT BULAGA/FACEBOOK
Dabarkads didn't see this coming.
On Wednesday, May 31, Eat Bulaga main hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, otherwise known as TVJ, took to YouTube to announce that the Philippines' longest-running noontime show has parted ways with its producer, Television and Production Exponent (TAPE) Inc.
The announcement came before 1 p.m. when the show aired a replay instead of a live telecast.
"Pumasok po kami lahat ngayong araw para makapagtrabaho pero hindi po kami pinayagang umere ng new management," Tito explained, with co-hosts Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Allan K, Paolo Ballesteros, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Ryan Agoncillo gathered behind him.
(We all came in today to work, but we were not allowed to go on air by the new management.)
"July 30,1979 po ng simulan namin ang Eat Bulaga…44 years na po ito ngayong taon. Kaya naman lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa mga naging tahanan namin – ang RPN for 9 years, ABS-CBN for 6 years, at ang GMA for 28 years." Joey and Tito continued as they expressed their gratitude to every loyal viewer, Dabarkad, and broadcast network that made their show last for 43 years.
(On July 30, 1979, we started Eat Bulaga…It's been 44 years now. So we are deeply grateful to the homes we had – RPN for 9 years, ABS-CBN for 6 years, and GMA for 28 years.)
After expressing his thanks, Vic announced TAPE, Inc, will no longer produce Eat Bulaga.
"Simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE, Inc. Karangalan po namin na kami'y nakapaghatid ng tuwa't saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo, at naging bahagi ng buhay ninyo. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat," Vic said.
(Starting today, May 31, 2023, we are bidding farewell to TAPE, Inc. It is our honor to have brought joy and happiness from Batanes to Jolo and to be a part of your lives. Thank you very, very much.)
"Saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang ng isang libo't isang tuwa," Vic declared, raising his fist alongside Tito and Joey, before they and the show's co-hosts went for a group hug.
(Wherever fate takes us, the joy continues.)
This development has left Eat Bulaga's future uncertain.
A month earlier, Tito spoke about controversies surrounding the noontime show.
In an "Updated with Nelson Canlas" episode, Tito fired back against the "false statements" TAPE executive and Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos said in an interview with Boy Abunda.
Tito disclosed that TAPE owed him and Joey 30 million pesos each.
Rumors of a potential transfer to the rival network Kapatid channel, TV5, have yet to be confirmed as of writing.