With “Rock Baby Rock” playing in the background, hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ) were all smiles as they entered the TV5 Studios on Reliance in Mandaluyong City yesterday.
The overall jubilant mood stems from the decision of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to invalidate the trademark held by Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.) for “Eat Bulaga” and “EB.”
During a press conference preceding the “EAT” show, TVJ expressed their happiness over the favorable decision.
Tito remarked, “Masayang masaya kami at luminaw ang usapan,” considering it an early Christmas gift.
He stated, “We feel officially recognized.”
Joey said there was no vengeful sentiment. “Mababait na kami. Biyaya lang ito. Pag tumagal ka ng fifty years, forty-eight to be exact, babait ka. Wala na paghihiganti sa puso, ngingiti ka na lang. Ay salamat naman para sa mga tagahanga at followers namin”
Vic found inspiration in the challenges they faced.
He expressed, “Ang mga pagsubok na hinarap namin simula nangyari itong kaguluhan na ito, nagsimula nung pinatitigil kami dahil sa kung anuman rason nila. Sa madaling salita, pinapaalis kami sa programang minahal namin ng apat na dekade, sa TV show na amin pinaghirapan, kin-reate, dugo, pawis tapos bigla ka sasabihan, out na kayo, ang sakit. So eto, ang mga developments na ito, mas nag-i-inspire sa amin ituloy. Laban lang.”
TVJ acknowledged TAPE’s right to appeal the decision. On when they will use the name “Eat Bulaga,” legal counsel Atty. Enrique “Biko” dela Cruz related that their advice had always been for TVJ to use it. However, he noted, “Pero ang TVJ ang nagparaya, nagsabi ayaw ng gulo, tutal may proseso, respetuhin natin ang proseso. Ngayong lumabas na sinasabi mismo ng gobyerno na ang talagang may-ari ang may karapatang ng title na Eat Bulaga at EB ay TVJ, dapat sila ang rumespeto para isa lang ang gagamit. Kung ang tanong kelan gagamitin, anytime pwede na nilang gamitin.”
During yesterday’s opening of “EAT,” the original theme song with the words “Eat Bulaga” was used.
“Bali-baliktarin man ang mundo, ito ang ‘Eat Bulaga’,” Vic said at the start of the show.
Meanwhile, Paolo Contis, one of the hosts of TAPE’s “Eat Bulaga,” vowed that they shall continue helping people and spreading joy, regardless of the ongoing legal battle. Contis stated, “Mahaba pa po ang laban. Ibig sabihin legally, wala pang final.
“Ito lang po ang pangako namin – anuman ang mangyari, ang sinimulan po namin na tulong at saya ay itutuloy namin araw-araw dahil yun naman po ang dahilan kung bakit kami pumapasok araw-araw.”
