TVJ and the Legit Dabarkads do an elevator selfie after their successful launch show on TV5 (TVJ official Facebook page)
By Robert R. Requintina & Annalyn Jusay
Philippine television is alive once again after three daily noon shows aired simultaneously and fought for audience, ratings, and advertisements.
Last Saturday, July 1, Filipino viewers were captivated by the return of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and their Dabarkads on their latest show "EAT" aired on TV5. Vice Ganda was cheered as he made a grand entrance in a helicopter to launch "It's Showtime" on GTV Channel. Fans of "Eat Bulaga" on GMA expressed their excitement as Isko Moreno, Paolo Contis and the other hosts welcomed TVJ to their new home and promised to deliver even more fun and entertainment.
E.A.T. is the title of new VJ show
E.A.T. is the title of the legendary noontime show of Tito, Vic, Joey, and the Legit Dabarkads which premiered July 1, at its new home on TV5, the Kapatid network.
The whole gang was treated to a rousing, emotional welcome at the TV5 HQ in Mandaluyong City. Aside from being shown on TV5 free TV, the show was also aired on Cignal, Sat Lite, and streamed on Youtube and Facebook. As previously announced, viewing stations in malls and public places were also set up so that legions of fans can join in the fiesta.
TVJ's family members were there to give their moral support and were seen as teary-eyed at one point. Among them Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Helen Gamboa (wife of Tito Sotto), Pauleen Luna (wife of Vic Sotto), Eileen Macapagal - De Leon (wife of Joey), Oyo Boy Sotto, and Kristine Hermosa.
The hosts said the title E.A.T. stands for a lot of things (Eto Ang Title, Eto Ang Tadhana, Eto Ang True, etc.) but it appears that they will use the title until there's an official decision on who is the rightful owner of the term "Eat Bulaga!"
"Simula ng bagong pakikipagsapalaran. Dito tayo bubuo ng kuwento. Ito na ang bago nating simula," TVJ said as they made a dramatic entrance to the TV5 studio wearing red shirts. The show stretched to almost five hours with the trio singing classic OPM hits like " Ïkaw Lang ang Aking Mahal" and " Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko."
Paolo Ballesteros dressed up as Vice Ganda from the rival noontime while Ryzza Mae Dizon impersonated Miss Tapia. The rest of the Dabarkads such as Maine Mendoza, Allan K, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, Carren Eistrup, and Ryan Agoncillo delighted the audience with their song and dance numbers.
The show's special guest was megastar Sharon Cuneta She sang her hits " Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko" and " Bituing Walang Ningning" with TVJ.
Sharon, who is the niece of Helen Gamboa-Sotto, took a swipe at TVJ's former producers when she remarked: "Karangalan ko pong narito ako dahil bumalik sa ere ang ating show ng TVJ. Pero talagang sumama ang loob ko dahil dapat inalagaan kayo. Ayoko ng pinagdaanan nyo. You didn't deserve that."
(It's an honor for me to be here now that your show is back on air. But I admit I was hurt because they should have taken care of you. I did not like what you went through. You didn't deserve that.)
E.A.T. will be shown on the noontime slot of the Kapatid network from Mondays to Saturdays. In its launch episode, it introduced some of the segments that people can start joining starting next week. Some of these are the kiddie contests " Wala Ka Sa Apo Ko," " Vortas 5" and "Wag Kayong Ganun" which replace " Bawal Ang Judgmental."
The cast of 'Eat Bulaga' (Alexa Miro Facebook)
'Eat Bulaga' congratulates TVJ
The revamped "Eat Bulaga" concluded with a moving and inspiring statement from its hosts during its first month-sary celebration on GMA Network on July 1.
"Ang bagong 'Eat Bulaga,' hindi na ito tungkol sa mga hosts. Tungkol ito sa mga viewers," said Isko Moreno, at the end of the program. "That's why kung mapapansin ninyo, bagong pamamaraan ng pagbibigay saya. Kaya nga tinatawag naming tulong at saya. Yun ang handog ng 'Eat Bulaga.' "
(The new Eat Bulaga is no longer about the hosts. It's about the viewers. That's why if you notice, we have a new method of giving fun. That's why we call it service and fun. That's the offering of Eat Bulaga.)
Isko continued: "Minsan sa buhay natin meron tayong napapamahal sa isang bagay o isang tao. But life must go on. Kapag iniwan ka, palitan mo agad. Tama naman di ba? Yung magdyo-dyowa? Kailangan ninyong mag-move on."
(Sometimes in our lives, we fall in love with something or someone else. But life must go on. If they leave, you change them immediately. Isn't that right? You have to move on.)
"If there's one good thning, eto pangkalahatan na ito, about what is happening in noontime show today, ultin ko, buffet na po. Marami na kayong mapagpipilian. In our own little way, kami'y magsisikap, na makatulong at makapagpasaya. Basta ang aasahan ninyo, ang bagong 'Eat Bulaga,' ay tungkol na sa viewers."
(If there's one good thing, here's the general thing, about what is happening in the noontime show today, I repeat, it's a buffet. You have a lot to choose from. In our own little way, we'll try to help and make you happy. The new 'Eat Bulaga,' is about the viewers.)
Paolo Contis, one of the hosts, said: "Katulad nga ng sinabi ni Yorme, ang noontime (show) ngayon ay parang buffet, pero sana, kami ang lagi ninyong piliin. Happy July 1. Today is our month-sary."
(Just like Yorme said, today's noontime (show) is like a buffet, but hopefully, you will always choose us.)
At the start of the program, Paolo said: "Masasabi nating Ito na ang bagong era ng noontime show habit ninyo. Alam namin na updated kayo sa mga nangyayari. Gaya ninyo excited din po kami.
(We can say that this is the new era of your noontime show habit. We know that you are updated with what is happening. We are as excited as you are.)
"Para sa karamihan isa itong malaking kumpetisyon. Pero para sa programa tulad ng 'Eat Bulaga,' na 44 years na na nagpapasaya, hindi po ito kumpetisyon. Ito ay aming inspirasyon."
(For most it's a big competition. But for a program like 'Eat Bulaga,' which has been entertaining for 44 years, it's not a competition. It's our inspiration.)
Isko said: "Mahal namin kayo. May sakit o wala, the show must go on. Lalabis-labisin na namin. To Tito Sen, Vic, and Joey and their Dabarkads, congratulations sa inyo!
(We love you. Sick or not, the show must go on. We're going to go all out. To Tito Sen, Vic, and Joey and their Dabarkads, congratulations to you!)
"Masaya kami may bago na kayong tahanan. Masaya kami kasi marami ng pagpipilian ang mga tao. Marami na kayong choices.
(We are happy that you have a new home. We are happy because people have many choices. You have many choices.)
"Taos puso sampu ng aming mga kasama, staff, production, the management, TAPE Incorporated, we warmly welcome and congratulate Tito, Vic and Joey. Congratulations po!" Isko added.
On May 31, TVJ and their Dabarkads left GMA Network following issues with TAPE Inc., producer of the longest-running noontime show "Eat Bulaga."
Replacing TVJ and Dabarkads were Paolo, Alexa Miro, Bayani Agbayani, Buboy Villar, Betong Sumaya, Cassy Legaspi, and Mavy Legaspi. Other hosts were added to the show, including Isko who debuted in the program on June 10.
Jhong, Vhong, Vice, Anne, Barbie, Sanya, Alexa, and Belle on 'It's Showtime' (ABS-CBN)
'It's Showtime' premieres on GTV
ABS-CBN's and GMA's biggest stars came together to mark another milestone as they joined the debut of "It's Showtime" on GMA's second free-to-air channel, GTV.
The popular noontime show opened with an all-star number featuring It's Showtime hosts Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Kim Chiu, Amy Perez, Ryan Bang, Ion Perez, Cianne Dominguez, Jackie Gonzaga, MC and Lassy with Kapamilya stars Belle Mariano, Alexa Ilacad, Jolina Magdangal, Chie Filomeno, and Erik Santos, and Kapuso stars, Sanya Lopez, Rodjun and Rayver Cruz, Pokwang, Mark Bautista, and Barbie Forteza. Famous content creator AC Soriano meanwhile joined the show's gap show, "It's Showtime Online U."
"It’s really happening. Buong bansa at buong mundo ang saksi dito sa makasaysayang selebrasyon natin. Wala nang titindi sa pinakamatinding plot twist ng taon. Dahil ang Kapamilya at Kapuso ngayon ay pinag-isa. Nakakatuwa na pinagsasama-sama ang Kapamilya at Kapuso stars," Vice said.
The show's hashtag #GnaGsaShowtime trended no.1 on Twitter worldwide as soon as the opening number began. Also making it to the trending list were Belle, Christian, Barbie, ABS-CBN, Argus, and Rayver Cruz.
ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak and head of TV Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi joined the madlang people in the studio to show their support for the whole "It's Showtime" family.
Vice thanked GMA’s bosses chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, and senior vice president for programming, talent management, worldwide, and support group, and president and CEO of GMA Films Annette Gozon-Valdes for giving "It's Showtime" a new home.
"Maraming salamat po pati na rin sa mga Kapuso na naki-party at naki-sayaw sa akin noong nagshoot ako sa GMA. Ang sarap ng pagtanggap at pagmamahal niyo dyan," the unkabogable star said.
Aside from the explosive numbers from the Kapamilya and Kapuso stars, Vice surprised the madlang people by riding a helicopter from ABS-CBN compound to GMA Network and performed "Glad You Came" with cheering Kapusos and dancers in front of the GMA Network Center.
"Unbreak My Heart" stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Richard Yap, Joshua Garcia, and Gabbi Garcia were present to witness the big day on television.
The premiere episode on GTV was also the grand finals of the first "Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets, wherein Marielle Montellano and JM Dela Cerna won as the grand champions.
They garnered a total average score of 98.3 percent from the combined hurado scores from judges Louie Ocampo, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Nyoy Volante, Marco Sison, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, Jona, and Darren Espanto plus Kapuso singers Christian Bautista and Mark Bautista. They beat John Saga and Kim Nemenzo with 95.3 percent and Eumee Capili and Anton Antenorcruz with 91.6 percent. As the first "TNT Duets" champion, JM and Marielle received P500,000 and a trophy designed by Toym Imao.
As the first season of “Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets” came to an end, “It’s Showtime” also teased its viewers to watch out for the seventh season of "TNT" today, July 3. (With a report from ABS-CBN)
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