EDITORS DESK
Praise the Lord! The Philippine television industry is alive once again!
This was the reaction of actor-television host Joey De Leon after his friends Tito Sotto, Vic “Bossing” Sotto, and the “Legit Dabarkads” transferred to TV5 Network recently.
De Leon, 76, was happy to note that a lively television industry means more jobs and opportunities for people who are working in the entertainment industry.
Not only that, De Leon realized that the shake-up in the schedules of local noontime programs would provide so much content to vloggers.
“I’m sure tuwang-tuwa kayo dahil ang dami na naman ninyong content. Nabuhay ang TV! Pasalamat sila sa amin. Walang yabang talaga,” (I’m sure you’re very happy because you have a lot of content again. TV has come to life! They should thank us) said De Leon during the group’s first media conference on TV5 in Mandaluyong City last June 20.
De Leon was also referring to the clash of three noontime programs that will broadcast simultaneously beginning July 1: GMA Network’s “Eat Bulaga,” GTV Channel’s “It’s Showtime,” and TVJ’s (Tito, Vic, and Joey) untitled noontime program.
While TVJ’s still-untitled program belongs to the same schedule as GMA’s “Eat Bulaga,” De Leon said that he’s still friends with some of the hosts in the rival program. In fact, De Leon revealed that some of them texted him about joining EB on the Kapuso Network.
De Leon admitted that he was able to watch the first episode of the revamped Eat Bulaga on GMA Network.
“Trabaho lang kasi ang lahat. Sumilip ako. Nakakatuwa dahil lahat ine-embrace kami. Hindi mo naman kasi pwedeng lokohin sa sarili mo eh. Magtanong ka sa mga tao, ano ang naiisip nila pag ‘Eat Bulaga’?” (It’s just work. I peeked in. It’s funny because everyone embraces us. You can't fool yourself. Ask people what they remember when they think of ‘Eat Bulaga?’) adds De Leon.
Bossing Vic said that he was able to catch some parts of the show. He commented: “Sinilip ko at okay naman. Siguro after 44 years mas gagaling pa sila.” (It’s okay. Maybe after 44 years, they will get better.)
But Senator Tito said that he wasn’t able to check the show because he was busy.
“Eat Bulaga” (EB) after 44 years on TV, currently holds the record for the longest-running noontime show in the Philippines. The senator claimed that it is the oldest noontime program in the world.
Looking back, “Student Canteen” was the first noontime show in the Philippines which ran from 1958 to 1965.
From 1965 to 1975, “Student Canteen” was succeeded by Magandang Tanghali and Stop Look and Listen.
In 1975, “Student Canteen” was revived by Eddie Ilarde and he was joined by Bobby Ledesma, Pepe Pimentel, Helen Vela, and Coney Reyes. From 1975 to 1979, “Student Canteen” was the only noontime program on television until “Eat Bulaga!” came along which first aired on RPN-9.
Initially, EB struggled with TV ratings and was in danger of being canceled. In 1980, EB introduced a new segment called “Mr. Macho” and the rating skyrocketed.
EB finally surpassed “Student Canteen” in terms of TV ratings. In March 1986, “Student Canteen” finally bid goodbye.
Replacing “Student Canteen” was the program Lunch Date from 1986-1993.
In 1989, EB moved to ABS-CBN after RPN-9 was sequestered by the Aquino administration.
RPN-9 revived “Student Canteen” in 1989 but it was totally cancelled a year later.
From ABS-CBN, EB debuted on GMA Network on Jan. 28, 1995. It became their home for 28 years. On May 31, 2023, EB left GMA Network following issues with Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE), producer of the noontime show.
As TVJ leaves TAPE Inc. behind, the trio is determined to make another successful noontime show on TV5. They are expected to make content for the television network and other platforms as co-producers of MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., owner of TV5.
But the question remains: who really owns the “Eat Bulaga” brand? A legal battle looms as both parties are willing to settle the issue in court.
(Robert R. Requintina is the Entertainment Editor of Manila Bulletin)