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Maine Mendoza, Alden Richards, Michael V., and More Pay Tribute to TVJ and ”Eat Bulaga!”

After Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ) announced their departure from “Eat Bulaga!” on Wednesday (May 31), fellow hosts followed suit. Pauleen Luna, Vic’s wife and also a former “Eat Bulaga!” host, posted a resignation letter addressed to Romeo Jalosjos Jr., the current president and CEO of Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (TAPE Inc) signed by Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Ryan Agoncillo, and Allan K. According to Luna, “writers, sales, production and cameramen followed suit immediately after TVJ’s resignation.”

TAPE Inc. has also released an official statement since then, which read: “TAPE, Inc. is saddened by the turn of events yesterday, May 31 but we respect the decision of the hosts to leave Eat Bulaga and GMA-7 Network, which has been their home for 28 years.

“We are grateful to the men and women who worked tirelessly for the past 43 years to make our noontime show number 1. The success of Eat Bulaga is not dependent only on three (3) people but on the collaborative efforts of its talents, crew, and loyal viewers.

“We are happy for the full support of GMA-7 in making Eat Bulaga bigger, to bring more fun and excitement to every Filipino.

“Abangan ninyo ang mga bagong magpapasaya at magpapatibok ng ating mga puso. Aasahan niyo ang mas masaya, mas nakakaaliw, at HIGIT PA SA ISANG LIBO’T ISANG TUWA na Eat Bulaga. Patuloy ang Dabarkads na magliligkod para sa inyo, mga Kapuso MULA APARRI HANGGANG JOLO AT SA BUONG PILIPINAS.

“Ang pag-alis ng mga hosts ay hindi dahilan para tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo.

“Maraming Salamat,” signed Zamboanga del Norte congressman Jalosjos.

TAPE Inc official statement TVJ

Screencap: @bullet888

Meanwhile, former hosts of the longest-running noontime show took to social media to pay tribute to the program and TVJ. Iconic loveteam “AlDub” were among the first few. Maine Mendoza posted, “Hanggang sa muli, dabarkads. Maraming salamat, Eat Bulaga, while Alden Richards wrote, “Loyalty. #DabarkadsAkoHanggangDulo”.

Ice Seguerra, who started his showbiz career on the show at age 3, also shared his sentiments. “Hindi ko naiintindihan ang nararamdaman ko. Lungkot ba o says? Malungkot ako sa nangyayari. Sa kawalang respeto. Malungkot ako dahil sa hiwalayang Eat Bulaga at TAPE, mayroong mga taong mag-iiba ang lagay sa buhay. Nalukungkot akong umabot sa ganito. Pero masaya ako dahil malaya na sila. Bakit ka mananatili sa isang relasyong hindi ka naman masaya. Hindi rin ako natatakot sa kinabukasan ng programa. Ang Eat Bulaga ay Eat Bulaga. Kahit saang network sila mapadpad, walang paltos silang makakalipad. Kaya sulong lang, Dabarkads. Simula pa lang ito nang mas maningning na bukas,” Seguerra said.

Ryzza Mae Dizon, another Little Miss Philippines winner, expressed her gratitude saying, “Maraming salamat po, @eatbulaga1979 TVJ sa pag-tupad ng mga pangarap ko. Hanggang sa muli.”

Then, Iza Calzado reminisced on her days as a host, too. “Isang libo’t isang tuwa… Isang taon din ako halos naging parte ng Dabarkads. Marami akong pinagdadaanan ng mga panahon na iyon. Salamat sa lahat ng pagkakataon na ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Salamat sa pagtanggap sa akin at pagyakap bilang parte ng pamilya kahit sandali lang,” she recalled. “Sa bawat pagtatapos, may umuusbong na bagong simula. Saan man kayo dalhin ng tadhana, marami kaming nagpapasalamat at patuloy na susuporta. Eat Bulaga, Forever.”

ICYMI, vlogger Kimpoy Feliciano also became a co-host in the program’s segment “Bida First: Isang Tawag Ka Lang!” before joining and becoming a grand finalist of the Dabarkads search “Bida Next”. “Hanggang sa muli, Dabarkads! MARAMING SALAMAT Eat Bulaga,” he captioned his post along with pictures of him on the set and with the former hosts.

Celebrity couple Bianca Umali and Ruru Madrid were also guest co-hosts before their GMA series “The Write One” aired on prime time. Umali said on her post, “Maraming salamat, @eatbulaga1979 sa walang hanggang pagpapasaya sa Lola ko, sa akin, sa mga Pinoy mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at sa buong mundo. 143, Dabarkads! Hanggang sa muli,” while Madrid said on his, “Hanggang sa muli, Dabarkads! Walang hanggang pasasalamat sa inyo. Salamat, Eat Bulaga.”

Sam YG kept it short but sweet saying, “Always and forever, @eatbulaga1979,” in a post with his throwback pics on the show.

At the same time, Isabelle Daza posted a series of throwback pics on her Instagram Stories. In one photo, she mentioned that “One of the hardest decisions of my life was to leave this show.”

Also once part of the show was Kyline Alcantara. “Sa aking maikling panahon na nakasama ko po kayo, pinaramdam nyo po saakin na parte ako ng inyong pamilya,” she noted. “Maraming salamat po sa pag hahatid ng kaligayahan sa aming mga Pilipino, mula Batanes hanggang Jolo. Maraming salamat, Dabarkads.”

Even the OG hosts of Eat Bulaga! are present, namely Janno Gibbs, Ruby Rodriguez, and Michael V. “Maraming Salamat, @eatbulaga1979, na minsan ay naging maliit na bahagi ako ng inyong pamilya,” said Janno Gibbs. “TVJ–my Mentors, Idols, and most of all Friends–I love you with all my heart,” said Ruby Rodriguez. And as for Michael V., he wrote a short poem:

“Panibagong laban. Mas malaman kesa Olympics ng ‘Bulagaan’.
One for all, all for one, pang-malakasan.
Not a ‘goodbye’ but a ‘see you soon’ lang naman.
Salamat #EatBulaga… ‘Dabarkads’ magpakailanman.”

 

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A post shared by Michael V. 🇵🇭 (@michaelbitoy)

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