The three-way battle for the country's top noontime show just became even more interesting.
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, viewers witnessed three formidable noontime programs simultaneously go at it — an event that is rarely, if not, never been seen, in the history of that timeslot.
So how did each of the shows fare? Here are just some of the highlights...
EAT
Tito, Vic and Joey versus Eat Bulaga!? The thought was unconceivable for Pinoy viewers to even ponder.
But a messy divorce 43 years later, and here we are.
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon officially returned to the noontime slot with a new program aired on TV5.
Given all the drama surrounding TVJ and Eat Bulaga! producer TAPE Inc. in the past weeks, the occasion was much-anticipated, eagerly awaited by Filipino viewers still in awe with the sudden turn of events.
For context, Tito, Vic, and Joey were the faces of Eat Bulaga! since the show started in 1979. It stands as the longest-running noontime show in the country.
Change in management within TAPE coupled with internal issues, however, prompted the three veteran comedians to part ways with the program, giving way to a new set of hosts.
In their exit, TVJ brought with them fellow ex-Eat Bulaga! mainstays, dubbed Dabarkads, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Allan K, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Carren Eistrup, and Maine Mendoza.
Read: Eat Bulaga! war and how it changes Philippine TV: A Timeline
WARM WELCOME, EMOTIONAL ENTRANCE
Opening the program to drum up anticipation were ex-volleyball star Gretchen Ho, actress-host Kaladkaren, and former University of the Philippines Maroons standout Mikee Reyes.
The Dabarkads were greeted by a crowd of people patiently and excitedly waiting outside and inside the studio.
Tito, Vic, and Joey, meanwhile, arrived in style, in a black Mercedez jeep.
The trio exchanged pleasantries with the crowd, network executives, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., and Vice Mayor Carmelita "Menchie" Abalos.
As they make their way to the main stage, Tito, Vic, and Joey, were overwhelmed with emotions, shedding tears and sharing a hug before proceeding to sing the VST & Co. classic hit, "Ikaw Ang Aking Mahal."
TVJ and the legit Dabarkads
FAMILY AFFAIR
Showing all-out support to the hosts were their family members, particularly the Sottos and De Leons, who came to cheer and boost the morale of everyone in the show.
Seen among the studio audience were Vic Sotto's wife, Pauleen Luna, who is rumored to be pregnant, his children Danica Sotto-Pingris, Oyo Sotto, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
Oyo's wife, former actress Kristine Hermosa, was also in attendance.
Joey's wife Eileen Macapagal-De Leon and their children Jocas and Jako de Leon were also spotted.
Cheering Tito was his daughter and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) head Lala Sotto.
Pauleen, Kristine, and Eileen were caught by the camera in tears, displaying emotions shared by many viewers and loyal Eat Bulaga! viewers.
(Clockwise) Pauleen Luna; Oyo Sotto and wife Kristine Hermosa; Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto; and TVJ.
Read: Pauleen Luna cries, Vico Sotto makes rare appearance at TVJ show pilot telecast
SEGMENTS TO WATCH FOR
A noontime show would not be complete without games and prizes, a formula that was mastered by the TVJ-led Eat Bulaga! for so many years.
This one is no different and the Dabarkads gave viewers a sneak peek of the fun games that will be rolled out in the coming days.
These are "Wala Ka Sa Apo Ko," "Give Me 5," "That's My Boyfriend," "Basta, Walang Ganun," and "Vortas 5."
Likewise, the Dabarkads flexed the show's many sponsors, proof that the program is starting off on the right foot, financially wise.
There were, of course, rumors that the current Eat Bulaga! is struggling to keep old sponsors and attract new ones in the wake of the departure of the show's mainstays.
THE MEGASTAR SPEAKS HER MIND
Gracing the program was the Megastar, Sharon Cuneta, who performed two of her biggest hit songs: "Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko" and "Bituing Walang Ningning."
Sharon's relationship with TVJ and the old Eat Bulaga! goes way, way back.
"I have a 44-year history with Eat Bulaga! — I used to appear there regularly starting in their first home, RPN 9, in my St. Paul uniform without makeup!" Sharon wrote on Instagram.
Sharon, who credited Tito, Vic, and Joey, for helping pave the way for her entry to show business as a youngster, added, "I will be there for them whenever they call me. It’s PAYBACK TIME, which is how it forever will be for me towards Eat Bulaga! No one can ever put a beloved institution down."
TVJ with Megastar Sharon Cuneta
During her guesting, Sharon symphatized with TVJ and the Dabarkads, saying, "Pero talagang sumama ang loob ko dahil dapat inalagaan kayo [TVJ & Dabarkads].
"Ayoko yong pinagdaanan ninyo. You didn't deserve that.
"Maraming show sa noontime. May kanya-kanyang nagmamahal pero iba pa rin ang pagmamahal sa mga kasama ng TVJ at ng Dabarkads.
"Huwag nating pababayaan na mawala ang kaligayahan ng taong bayan."
THEME SONG
Many were surprised and happy upon hearing the old, distinct Eat Bulaga! theme song being played and sang by TVJ and the Dabarkads.
The lyrics of the song remain the same, except that the mention of the name Eat Bulaga! in the chorus was omitted for obvious reasons — a comical sight that elicited laughter from studio and TV viewers.
SO, WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE SHOW?
The name of the new show was pretty much up in the air throughout the airing.
In the end, Vic addressed the issue, while insinuating that they're still hoping to regain the beloved Eat Bulaga! name.
A trademark dispute is reportedly ongoing between TVJ Productions and TAPE Inc.
Read: Vic Sotto on Eat Bulaga! trademark: "Kukunin lang ng kung sinu-sino? Aba! Hindi puwede."
Said Vic, "Mga Dabarkads, hinihintay pa rin namin ang pag-uwi ng pangalan na itinawag sa amin for almost 44 years.
"Sa ngayon Dabarkads, ang mahalaga sama-sama kami, sama-sama tayo may nagkalinga po sa amin noong panahon na hindi namin alam kung papaano at kung saan kami dadalhin ng tadhana.
"Ang title po namin ay ang title na alam niyo kung ano ang tawag sa amin. Pinapangako po namin na every day, E.A.T ang tawanan."
Tito butted in, "E.A.T, Eto Ang Tunay."
Joey, meanwhile, added, "Basta, E.A.T, Eto Ang Title."
Continued Tito, "Araw-araw po ang pagbubulaga namin sa inyo."
Joey, added, "Manghina man ang tuhod namin o pumuti ang buhok, hindi magbabago ang misyon namin na magdala ng tuwa't saya sa inyong lahat."
Regardless of the name, Pinoy viewers seemed happy and content to welcome back TVJ and the Dabarkads to their homes every afternoon, six days a week.
- TVJ's new show on TV5 is called "EAT..."; TVJ yet to reclaim Eat Bulaga! name
- Vic Sotto blurts out "Eat Bulaga!" while hosting new TVJ noontime show on TV5
WATCH REPLAY OF EAT... HERE:
IT'S SHOWTIME
With Eat Bulaga in rebuild mode and E.A.T. — the new show hosted by TVJ — still in its infancy, It's Showtime finds itself in unfamiliar territory.
Given that the two shows are reestablishing themselves, It's Showtime emerges seemingly as the veteran among the programs now competing for noontime TV supremacy.
Not that the show top-billed by Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, and Anne Curtis has nothing to prove.
It's Showtime is also undergoing a transition, jumping from TV5 to GTV, the subsidiary channel owned by GMA Network, Inc.
GMA Network is once the arch-rival of It's Showtime's home network, ABS-CBN, making the partnership historic.
KAPAMILYA X KAPUSO
At the contract signing formalizing the partnership, GMA chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon happily declared that the "TV war, is finally over."
It's Showtime took this message to heart, bringing together stars from both networks on stage to jumpstart its maiden airing on GTV.
Kapuso stars who graced It's Showtime include former Kapamilya talents such as Rodjun and Rayver Cruz, Mark Bautista, Pokwang, Jolina Magdangal, and Christian Bautista.
Joining them were fellow Kapuso celebrities Sanya Lopez and Barbie Forteza.
Gamely, the Kapuso guest stars blurted the show's signature opening greeting, “What’s up, Madlang People?!”
Barbie said, “Ang saya dito,” when she was interviewed at It's Showtime Online.
“Ang saya naman dito, grabe,” remarked Sanya.
She continued, “Grabe din yung pag-welcome niyo sa amin, and gusto naming i-congratulate ang It’s Showtime.
“Grabe, ramdam na ramdam namin na pamilya tayo dito, Kapamilya, Kapuso na.”
Rayver, meanwhile, said, “Nakaka-miss yung mga tao dito sa Kapamilya natin, kaya Kapamilya, Kapuso, big things are coming and umpisa pa lang ito.”
Pokwang commented, “Masaya lang na magkasama na ang Kapuso, Kapamilya.
“At the end of the day, ang winner dito yung mga followers natin, yung atin mga fans.
“Mas lalawak ang pagbibigay ng saya sa kanila, hindi ba?
“Share-share lang tayo ng happiness sa ating mga Kapamilya at Kapuso.”
Kapamilya stars Alexa Ilacad and Belle Mariano, among others, also graced the special occasion.
The stars of Unbreak My Heart — the drama series co-produced by ABS-CBN and GMA Network — Richard Yap, Jodi Sta. Maria, Gabbi Garcia, and Joshua Garcia, were also present.
VICE GANDA'S OPENING NUMBER
One of the highlights during the opening performance was that of Vice Ganda riding a helicopter and performing on the grounds where the GMA Network main headquarters is located.
Vice slayed the production number complete with backup dancers and the GMA Network building as a backdrop.
"PLOT TWIST NG TAON."
Vice put into words the magnitude of the event, something that was unimaginable to Filipino viewers in the past years because of the so-called network war.
“Madlang People, eto na yun. Ito na ang inaabangan ng lahat, ang trending na usap-usapan at inaabangan sa social media, ang hindi natin inakalang mangyayari. Heto na," said Vice.
“It is really happening right now, right here, buong bansa, at buong mundo, saksi dito sa makasaysayang selebrasyon natin.
“Wala nang hihigit sa pinakamatinding plot twist ng taon—dahil ang Kapamilya at Kapuso ngayon ay pinag-isa.
“Kaya naman pasabog din ang pa-welcome natin sa GTV, dito sa It’s Showtime.”
It's a new era for Philippine television, indeed — and we're all for it.
Read: Vice Ganda on 'It’s Showtime' airing on GTV: “Pinakamatinding plot twist ng taon.”
WATCH REPLAY OF IT'S SHOWTIME HERE
EAT BULAGA!
It's business as usual for the country's longest-running noontime show.
Compared to its rivals, the revamped Eat Bulaga! did not veer away from usual programming to keep up with It's Showtime and E.A.T.
This made sense as Eat Bulaga! with its current set of hosts, has been airing for a month now, with the viewers already familiar with what it offers.
ACKNOWLEDGING ITS RIVALS
It didn't mean that the new Eat Bulaga! was oblivious to what was happening around it.
The show's co-hosts Paolo Contis and Isko Moreno, in fact, spoke about the competition at the start and end of the program.
"Mga Kapuso, espesyal tong Sabadong to para sa Eat Bulaga! dahil masasabi natin, eto ang bagong era ng noontime television habit ninyo," Paolo remarked.
"Alam naman natin, alam ko updated kayo sa mga nangyayari at nag-aabang kayo. Gaya ninyo, excited din po kami.
"Para sa karamihan, isa itong malaking kumpetisyon. Pero para sa programa gaya ng Eat Bulaga! na 44 years na po na nagpapasaya, hindi po ito kumpetisyon, pero ito po ay aming inspirasyon."
Isko, meanwhile, compared the current set-up to a buffet, with the viewers having more choices to satisfy their need for afternoon entertainment.
Said Isko, "If there's one good thing, 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."
Isko also tipped his hat off to Tito, Vic, and Joy, and the Dabarkads, saying, "Congratulations sa inyo. Masaya kami may bago na kayong tahanan.
"Taus-puso, sampu ng aming mga kasama—staff, production, the mangement TAPE Inc.—we warmly welcome and congratulate Tito, Vic, and Joey. Congratulations po sa inyo!"
Paolo also congratulated It's Showtime for finding a new home.
"Iwe-welcome ko na rin ang isa pang nagbibigay-saya. Mas nauna to sa amin pagdating sa mga hosting, pero ngayon kapitbahay na natin sila," said Paolo.
"Sa It's Showtime, welcome... Dahil ngayon kapitbahay na namin kayo, masaya kami na matatawag na namin kayong Kapuso.
"Kaya kung ano ka man, parte ka man ng Madlang People, kung Dabarkads ka man, kung Kapuso ka man, maraming-maraming salamat.
Read: Eat Bulaga! congratulates TVJ on its new noontime show, welcomes It's Showtime to its new home
MUSIC ICONS
Aside from carrying out games and giving out cash prizes, Eat Bulaga! also delivered the tunes courtesy of their guest performers.
Rapper Andrew E dished out his old hit "Banyo Queen" to the delight of the studio audience familiar with his brand of music.
The rock group Aegis was also in attendance, performing their heart-wrenching arena love anthems that got the viewers singing.
In closing, Isko reiterated Eat Bulaga!'s commitment to help and entertain viewers not just in the Philippines, but abroad.
"Ang bagong Eat Bulaga!, hindi na ito tungkol sa mga hosts. Tungkol ito sa mga viewers," Isko stressed.
"That's why kung mapapansin ninyo, bagong pamamaraan ng pagbibigay saya. Kaya nga tinatawag naming tulong at saya. Yun ang handog ng Eat Bulaga."
For Eat Bulaga!, the show must go on.
WATCH REPLAY OF EAT BULAGA! HERE: