Apparently, “Eat Bulaga!” was prohibited from airing on Wednesday (May 31, 2023) as revealed by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ) via YouTube. Nevertheless, the hosts of the longest-running noontime show showed up on cam to announce their departure from Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (TAPE Inc).
“Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para magtrabaho pero hindo po kami pinayagan ng new management na umere ng live,” Tito began their statement. Joey then reminisced their journey and said, “July 30, 1979 po nang simulan namin and ‘Eat Bulaga!’, 44 years na po ito ngayong taon, kaya lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa mga naging tahanan namin–ang RPN9 for 9 years, ABS-CBN for 6 years, at ang GMA for 28 years. Dalawampu’t walong taon. Thank you very much.”
Vic continued by thanking their advertisers, supporters, and viewers. “Salamat din sa lahat ng adverstisers mula 1979 na nagmahal, nagtiwala, at sumuporta sa amin,” he said.
“Ganoon din sa inyo, mga dabarkads–sa mga nanunuod, sa inyong pagmamahal sa programang naging bahagi ng inyong tanghalian,” Tito added. “Lubos din ang aming pasasalamat kay Mr. Tony Tuviera, sa pagkakaibigan at pagiging bahagi ng aming pamilya. At higit sa lahat, sa Panginoong Diyos na kahit kailan hindi niya kami pinabayaan.”
Then, Vic segued to their objective. “Hindi na po namin iisa-isahin pa ang laman ng aming puso, ang hagad lang po namin ay makapagtrabaho ng mapayapa, walang inaagrabyado, at may respeto sa bawat isa.” After a short pause, he went on to say “Simula ngayong araw–May 31, 2023–kami po ay nagpapaalam na sa TAPE Incorporated. Karangalan po namin na kami’y nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay niyo.”
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Hanggang sa muli. Kung saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa,” Vic concluded the statement.
However, reports say that GMA Network has clarified that the program still had a block time agreement with its producer, TAPE Inc., until 2024. “We are saddened by today’s unexpected turn of events,” GMA Network told The Philippine Star. “Together with all the Filipino fans, we pray for a smooth and swift resolution of their issues.”
Watch TVJ’s official statement below:
Both Vic and Tito’s daughters, Danica Sotto-Pingris and Ciara Sotto, chimed in on Instagram in line with the hosts’ announcement. Danica wrote, “We love you, Daddy! We love you, TVJ and EB fam! Eat Bulaga forever! The best is yet to come!”; while Ciara said, “I’m sharing this here because this was not allowed to go live on air on your television sets. We may all feel like it’s the end of an era, but we hold on to God’s promise that ‘God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.’ –Romans‬ â€8‬:â€28‬ We love you, TVJ! We’ll always love you, @eatbulaga1979.”
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Meanwhile, Joey’s son Jako de Leon posted a throwback photo of the iconic trio with the message “Kahit saan man sila, kami, at tayo dalin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa. 44 YEARS, close to 14,000 episodes, 3 stations, and tens and millions of audiences AND COUNTING. See you on the NEXT round trip mula Batanes hanggang Jolo! Love you, @angpoetnyo, Bossing, @helenstito [heart hands emoji] @eatbulaga1979.”
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