Is “Eat Bulaga” going off the air by the end of this month?
Not true, according to the lawyer of Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE), the producer of the longest running noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”
(Clockwise from left) TAPE lawyer Maggie Abraham-Garduque, "Eat Bulaga" on GMA and "E.A.T." on TV5 (Photos: Abraham-Garduque's Facebook account, Sparkle GMA Artist Center on Instagram, TV5)
TAPE lawyer Maggie Abraham-Garduque reacted to the comments by showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin, who said on her show “Cristy Ferminute” on YouTube on July 6 that “Eat Bulaga” will be on air only until July 29 based on rumors that were circulating.
“It is not true na hanggang July na lang ang ‘Eat Bulaga’” Abraham-Garduque told Manila Bulletin. She served as a lawyer for TV host and comedian Vhong Navarro in his rape case.
On the YouTube show, Fermin said ,“Pero gaano po katotoo na hanggang katapusan na lang po ng Hulyo ang inyong programang ito, ang hindi lehitimong Eat Bulaga?”
“Parang July 29, parang ganon ang umiikot na kwento ngayon. Alam nyo po, kapag walang apoy, walang usok. Kapag walang usok, walang apoy,” she added, explaining that this was because “Eat Bulaga” is not earning.
Fermin added, “Negosyante ka. Kunwari negosyante ka, alam mo ang pasok at labas ng iyong ROI, di ba yung return of investment. Kapag alam mo na iyong isinusugal mo sa isang negosyo ay hindi compensated ng pumapasok, isasakripisyo mo iyan e. Dun ka sa kumikita. Walang negosyante na nagnegosyo para lang magpatalo.”
About the rumored cancellation of “Eat Bulaga,” Abraham-Garduque said, “There is no reason for that.”
Based on data from Nielsen Phils. Tam Nutam People Ratings, TV5’s “E.A.T,” headlined by former “Eat Bulaga” hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, got a rating of 6.3 percent on July 3.
“Eat Bulaga” on GMA placed second with 3.3 percent followed by “It’s Showtime” with 2.9 percent.
“We do not contest that on July 1, mababa ang rating of ‘Eat Bulaga’ because of the anticipation of people on the launch of new shows but thereafter makikita na tumataas na ulit ang ratings nito. Ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ ay para sa tao at hanggang maraming manonood ang tumatangkilik patuloy ang eat bulaga sa pagbibigay ng saya at tulong sa mga kababayan natin,” said Abraham-Garduque.
She added, “‘Eat Bulaga’ segments are doing great lalo na yung segment ni Yorme and Buboy. ‘Eat Bulaga’ likewise launched ‘Hey! Mr. Rider’ na sobrang patok na patok sa mga members ng motorcycle associations. Abangan din nila ang mga celebrity riders na makikisaya sa segment na to.”