Weeks ago, the grapevine was rife with rumors that a major shakeup is going to happen beginning April 30 in GMA’s noontime show, “Eat Bulaga.”
With the recent interview revelations of Sen. Tito Sotto – one third of the show’s triumvirate with Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon – it seems there will indeed be changes in the 43-year-old show (going 44 in July) if the trio’s call for “noli me tangere” is not heeded.
In a recent half hour sit-down with Cristy Fermin on her online show, “Showbiz Now Na,” Sen. Sotto related what has been happening inside the program since its producer, Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.), called for a meeting at the beginning of the year.
He related that the general assembly left many of the show’s hosts and staff confused and surprised. “‘Yung mga sinasabi sa amin ay hindi maganda, wala sa timing, hindi katanggap-tanggap. Nung una sabi namin hindi pwede,” said Sotto.
“Sinabi namin, teka, pag nagkaganyan, magkakaproblema tayo. So ang nangyari, nakipag-usap at nagkaroon kami ng tinatawag na status quo, sapagkat ‘yung mga gusto nila, ayaw namin.
“At ‘yung gusto namin, pumayag sila later on, after two meetings. Hindi papalitan ‘yung director, ‘yung aming head writer, director at ‘yung iba pa naming kasama sa programa.”
He cleared that he, Vic and Joey – TVJ – wanted to contain the issue and refused to be interviewed in spite of several requests from media outlets, including Fermin’s. “Ayoko naming i-fuel ito, ayokong sigaan ‘yung isyu.
“Sinabi namin sa leadership ng TAPE – status quo ang issue pagkat pag kami ang nagsalita, marami kaming masasabi.”
Sotto said it was long-time friend and TAPE executive Tony Tuviera who wrote the invitation for the general assembly but it was former Cong. Romy Jalosjos, Tuviera’s partner in TAPE, who spoke about the show and its financial problems.
“Nagulat kami nagkwekwento si Romy, nagsasabi sya ng background ng ‘Eat Bulaga’ na medyo lihis sa alam namin,” said Sotto.
“Kinukuha po ang kredito?” asked Fermin.
“Parang ganun,” he answered.
Sotto cleared that TAPE Inc. and “Eat Bulaga” are separate entities with the former being the producer and the latter, the creator of the show.
Sotto also mentioned Jalosjos saying “Eat Bulaga” only started making money because of the “Miss Gay” portion was not accurate. “Kinorek ko later on. We have never had a portion titled ‘Miss Gay.’
“‘Baka magkamali tong mga bagong empleyado natin sa sinasabi mo.’ At umangat ng rating ng ‘Eat Bulaga’ sa ‘Macho Man,’ ‘Mr. Macho.’ Ang Village People nag promo doon.”
When asked by Fermin if he was surprised with what Jalosjos said that Tuviera should be retired because Tony was “matanda” and “naka baston na nga lang,” he replied, “Medyo nasaktan kami duon. I’m sure nasaktan si Tony kasi parang kailangan i-retire si Tony kasi nakabaston na. Marami sa amin ang nasaktan.”
He also confirmed what Cristy said that Tuviera was removed as soon as the children of Jalosjos entered the scene.
“[Tony Tuviera] is the president and CEO executive officer, tinanggal siya. At ang sabi gagawin na lang consultant,” related Sotto.
“Maraming sinabi si Romy na nagulat kami,” he continued.“I’m being very candid about this. What I’m expressing to you is yung sinasabi nung iba naming kasama. Mga empleyado, maliliit, malalaki.. Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Tony na aalisin na yung P10 million a month nya, gagawin na lang P200 thousand ang kukunin sa ‘Eat Bulaga.’
Nagkakatinginan kami kasi hindi namin alam na may P10 million a month pala sya sa ‘Eat Bulaga.’”
Many people were asked to retire – with no assurance that they will be re-hired – because of the money woes, said Sotto. Wanting to unearth the truth, he decided to inquire from the Securities and Exchange Commission and found out that the company recorded a net profit of 2021 of P213 million.
Amidst the many issues on infighting, credit grabbing, etc., Cristy asked Sen. Sotto what his message to Jalosjos was.
“Let sleeping dog lie. Noli me tangere. Leave it alone. It’s doing well. It’s not broken,” he said emphatically.
“Wag maghimasok kung walang alam…,” said Cristy.
“Lalo na,” agreed Sotto. “’Yan pinakamabigat sa lahat.”
For Tuviera, Sen. Tito said he is saddened by his departure.
“Gusto namin kasama pa rin namin sya. Gusto namin hindi kami magkaka hiwa-hiwalay.
Nakakalungkot dun. Ni re-retire, gagawing consultant. Papalitan ng mag-aaral. I don’t know what the future holds for us pag banyan usapan.”
“Sa mga nangyayari at hindi kayo nagkakasunduan, matutupad pa kaya ang, ‘Mula Aparri hanggang Jolo’ or ‘Mula Aparri hanggang kung saan na lang’ yung tuwa o galak na binibigay nyo?” Fermin asked.
“Hindi,” he said, “Itutuloy namin ‘yun.
“Ang target namin, umabot pa ng 50 years. Umabot ng golden 50 years ang ‘Eat Bulaga.’
Wherever. Kung saan man abutin…”
To the question how much he loves “Eat Bulaga,” he said:“Mahigit kalahati buhay namin itinaya namin dun. ‘Wag na wag nilang kalimutan, lalong lalo na ‘yung nagbintang na ginawa lang kami. Gawa na kami bago kami pumasok ng ‘Eat Bulaga,’ kaya nga kami kinukuha. We were pinch-hitters of ‘Student Canteen,’ sa ‘Discorama’ regular kami, 1977-1978 pa ‘yan. ’Student Canteen,’ pinchhitters kami ni Eddie Ilarde and Bobby Ledesma, pag absent ‘yung dalawa, kaming tatlo ang pinapapasok. And then we had ‘Iskul Bukol’ in 1978 – one year before ‘Eat Bulaga’ and it was the number one primetime show from 1978-1988.
Kaya hindi pwedeng sabihin ang statement na ‘yun. Dapat nag-iingat.”
“Masamang masama po ang loob niyo sa mga Jalosjos?” Fermin inquired.
“Masama ang loob namin sa nangyayari. Let me put it that way, para hindi naman ako maging offensive,” he replied.
