Isang libo't isang tuwa: TVJ and Dabarkads are back on air July 1

Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon - the Philippines' longest-standing noontime show hosts - were teary-eyed as their trio, and the rest of the Dabarkads, were warmly welcomed into their new home on TV5 by no less than the chairman of MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Manuel V. Pangilinan.

The new name of TVJ's new show is something that "will still have to be decided on." What was announced is that their new show will start airing on Saturday, July 1, occupying the 11:30 am to 2:30 pm time slot of the Kapatid network.

Pangilinan, or MVP for short, stressed that it was part of their duty to provide a "home" for the Philippines'  "iconic entertainment phenomenon."

"It's our obligation to provide them (TVJ & Co.) a home because that's what the Filipinos love. It's as simple as that," the business tycoon stated.

IN SEARCH OF A NAME

"Me masakit na bagay. Meron kaming tahanan pero walang titulo," Joey lamented during their Media Day held at the TV5 Studio 6 in Mandaluyong City on June 20.

(It hurts. We have a new home but we don't have a title.)

The veteran hosts have declared that they are prepared to do legal battle to get back the name "Eat Bulaga!" as the name of their new show.

"Basta kahit anong mangyari, Eat Bulaga! pa rin kami," Vic Sotto stressed.
(No matter what happens, we are still Eat Bulaga!)

"You can just imagine, after 44 years, minahal mo. Ako, more than half of my life, sa Eat Bulaga! Pagka absent ako, parang me kulang sa buhay ko, tapos kukunin lang ng kung sino sino. Aba hindi pwede," he insisted.

(Imagine loving someone for 44 years. I was in Eat Bulaga! for more than half of my life. Whenever I was absent, I felt like something was missing. And then somebody will take it away from me just like that. I won't allow it.)

His pronouncement was supported by Tito himself, the most senior member of the group.

"Eat Bulaga! is TVJ and TVJ is Eat Bulaga!," Tito declared while adding that they have already filed for a copyright claim with the Intellectual Property Office. "We are definitely working on the legal side na Eat Bulaga! Si Joey ang nag-imbento nun eh. History and the law back us up. It may take some time but we will be able to use Eat Bulaga! I am sure of that."

In the meantime, the group floated several alternative names as replacement, including E.A.T. Bulaga! where E.A.T. shall stand for "Eto Ang Totoo" (this is the truth). Allan K, one of the co-hosts, said he also proposed Legit Bulaga!

Even with a legal battle for the use of the "EB" name, TVJ bared that they are working to "enhance" the segments that their multitude of viewers have come to love through the years, citing Pinoy Henyo as an example. "One or two new portions" will be added as well in their new show on TV5.

"(We have) the longest-running television show in the world, 44 years ha. Whether Eat Bulaga! or EAT which can stand for Eto Ang Totoo, whatever name it is, kami yun eh. So whatever it is, we will strive to have it continue even past gold, past 50. Yun ang panaginip talaga namin eh...makarating ng 50," Tito remarked.

(It is really our dream to reach 50 years in this business.)

New partnership: From left: MediaQuest Holdings president CEO Jane Basas, MediaQuest chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon (TV5 Facebook)

TVJ AS CONTENT CREATORS

The Media Day was attended not only by the press but also the top executives of the MVP Group of Companies. Joining Pangilinan in the podium were Jane Basas and Guido Zaballero, both president and CEO of MediaQuest and TV5, respectively.

Also present were the "Legit Dabarkads" of  Ryan Agoncillo,  Allan K, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Carren Eistrup.

Under an "ïnvestment agreement," MediaQuest holds a majority 51 percent stake in  the newly-formed TVJ Productions chaired by Tito.

According to Pangilinan, "the format under which we made arrangements with them (TVJ) and the Dabarkads is that they are not talents anymore, they are part owners with the content they produce."

"At the end of the day, what's important is that it's a win for the Filipino people," Zaballero added. "This proves that TV is really alive. We look forward to working with TVJ Productions to make it an even bigger success. When the viewers of TV5 increase, it will be good for all our businesses."

Basas expressed confidence that they will have "a beautiful friendship and fruitful business partnership" with TVJ.

"We promise you that you will love it here," she told the trio, while adding that they're currently working on relaunching Wow Mali! and Iskul Bukol with TVJ.