The partnership of MQuest Ventures and former Senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon is now official with the signing of an agreement under which the former acquires 51% equity of TVJ Productions, Inc., the media production company set up by the iconic trio, last Tuesday at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.
“Welcome home, TVJ,” said MQuest Ventures president and CEO Jane Basas.
The agreement solidifies the partnership between Mediaquest and TVJ to produce media content for the various distribution channels and platforms of Mediaquest.
TVJ Productions’ first project is the new noontime show of TV5 set to air its pilot episode on July 1.
“Our new show with TVJ and Dabarkads is only the beginning. We plan to make TV series, live shows, and movies at TVJ Productions. This will surely delight Pinoys here at home and overseas,” Basas also said.
The iconic trio of Tito, Vic and Joey were profuse with thanks at their press con at the Kapatid studios.
“This is it. It’s good to be home,” said former Senator Tito Sotto, chairman of TVJ Productions. “We appreciate the warm welcome from our Mediaquest family. Now it’s time to get to work.”
“Maraming salamat, Boss,” said an emotional Vic to Manny V. Pangilinan, Mediaquest chairman.
“Nakakaiyak talaga. Katulad ng nabanggit ni MVP, ang feeling namin para kaming St. Joseph, Mama Mary na naghahanap ng bahay, di ba? “Hindi ko naman sinasabi na ito’y sabsaban. Napakagandang sabsaban nito. Pero binigyan nya kami ng tahanan. Thank you,” Joey said, voice breaking.
“In other words, more than thank you: ‘salamuch’,” he added.
“More than the kind words, it’s the different approach coming from somebody that is high up there when it comes to business, pagkatapos ay biglang gustong tulungan ang iconic program ay napakalaking bagay po sa amin at sa ating mga kababayan,” added Tito.
Pangilinan then compared the trio’s iconic show “Eat Bulaga” to the Pinoys’ favorite pastime – basketball.
“Maybe the best analogy I could provide you is when na-involve kami sa basketball ng Pilipinas and we received comments from colleagues in the basketball industry, bakit nyo, ang laki ng gastos nyo sa pagsuporta sa Gilas, and yet alam nyo naman maliit ang Pinoy di ba? Hindi tayo mananalo, we will never be world champions, at least not in our lifetime. And my answer was very simple, ‘Mahal ng Pilipino ang basketball. Pwede ba naming talikuran ang minamahal ng mga Pinoy? Ganun din sa ‘Eat Bulaga’.”
A visibly moved Vic replied: “Maraming maraming salamat. Kumatok kami, pinagbuksan nyo kami ng pintuan. At agad agad ramdam namin ang pagmamahal, pagmamahal na hindi boss kundi isang kapatid. Maraming maraming salamat, TV5, Mediaquest. Siguro nga dito na kami dinala ng tadhana.”
TVJ will be joined by the Dabarkards – Maine Mendoza, Paolo Ballesteros, Ryan Agoncillo, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Allan K in the variety program set to air from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. There will be new and improved portions, the hosts assured. But the title is not yet final.
“Sa akin, ‘Eat Bulaga’,” insisted Vic.
