Just last week, GMA’s Felipe Gozon declared an end to the network war as he led the Kapuso executives in signing a five-year contract with former rival ABS-CBN to air the Kapamilya show “It’s Showtime” on GMA’s sister station, GTV.
On Saturday, however, it was a showdown on noontime. GMA 7’s “Eat Bulaga” went head to head with “It’s Showtime” on GMA and TV5’s own “EAT,” led by former “Eat Bulaga” triumvirate Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ).
GTV’s “It’s Showtime” opened with a spectacular opening number. It had the feel of the “ASAP” of old – electrifying and bongga. Vice Ganda led the song and dance numbers.
Anne Curtis had her own spot. Kapuso ang Kapamilya stars performed on one stage – brothers Rodjun and Rayver Cruz, Barbie Forteza with Kim Chiu and Belle Mariano, Sanya Lopez with Chie Filomeno and Alexa Ilacad plus featured. The highlight followed Vice as he boarded a chopper on the ABS-CBN building to GMA headquarters where he was escorted down the Kapuso lobby staircase before breaking into a song and dance on GMA’s driveway.
(Photo from It’s Showtime’s Facebook page)
“Kapamilya,Kapuso unite. Madlang pipol, eto na ‘yun…,” greeted Vice, “Ang hindi natin inakalang mangyayari…. Buong bansa, buong mundo saksi dito sa makasaysayang selebrasyon natin. Walang hihigit sa pinagkamatinding plot twist ng taon. Dahil ang Kapamilya at Kapuso ngayon pinag-isa.”
It was star-studded and grand. It was a lot – and for some, too much, especially compared to TVJ’s lipat bahay to TV5.
“We start humble,” said Vic during the media con a few days before July 1. And they did.
TVJ’s “E.A.T.” opened with the “dabarkads” packing up their suitcases and a “LalaMove On” truck. TVJ rode a Jeep to TV5 Studios and walked to the stage, emotional and hugging each other. They are in tears as they sing “Ikaw ang Aking Mahal” to their audience which included Tito’s wife Helen Gamboa-Sotto, Joey’s wife Eileen De Leon, Vic’s wife Pauleen Luna-Sotto, who were also in tears.
It was truly a family affair, as Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Tito’s niece, joined the trio on their debut. She sang “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko” and expressed her support for the OGs of noontime.
“Karangalan ko pong narito ako dahil bumalik sa ere ang ating show ng TVJ. Pero talagang sumama ang loob ko dahil dapat inalagaan kayo. Ayoko ‘yung pinagdaanan niyo, you didn’t deserve that,” she said, alluding to the falling out of TVJ and longtime “Eat Bulaga” producer TAPE, Inc.
(Screen grab from Isko Moreno’s Facebook page)
Meanwhile, over GMA, the new “Eat Bulaga” host Isko Moreno congratulated TVJ and also welcomed their new kapitbahay, “It’s Showtime.”
The former Manila mayor likened the competing noontime shows to a “buffet.”
“To Tito Sen, Vic, and Joey and their Dabarkads, congratulations sa inyo. Masaya kami, may bago na kayong tahanan. Masaya kami kasi marami nang pagpipilian ang tao. At least ang noontime show ngayon para ng buffet. Marami ka ng choices,” he said.
The three shows competed for viewership and also advertising load, with “E.A.T.” leading in both.
But the clear winners are the viewers. Local noontime TV has become exciting again, and with three shows in competition, it’s safe to conclude that everyone will leave no stone unturned to give their best to the audience. — (GFCT)
