Exactly a week after cutting ties with Television and Production Exponents, Inc. (TAPE, Inc.), longtime producer of “Eat Bulaga,” brothers Tito and Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon – TVJ – have found a new home
Jane Basas, president and CEO of TV5, announced the partnership of the Mediaquest Group and TVJ in a media release dated June 6.
“I’m honored that these pillars of the Philippine entertainment industry have agreed to work with us. Our partnership strengthens our ability to continue to deliver the best for Filipino viewers here at home and all over the world.
“I’m happy that Tito, Vic, and Joey will now call TV5 their home,” the release quoted Basas as saying.
The announcement stated that the agreement with Mediaquest Group is for “Tito, Vic, and Joey and the Dabarkads to produce content for TV5 and other Mediaquest platforms.”
Last May 31, TVJ said goodbye to TAPE. The rest of the “Eat Bulaga” hosts – Maine Mendoza, Ryan Agoncillo, Allan K., Ryzza Mae Dizon, Paolo Ballesteros, Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo – soon followed suit.
Following their departure from “Eat Bulaga,” former Senate President Tito Sotto mentioned in interviews that they were heartened by the many offers they have been receiving from as many as four different networks.
But there were clues. Four days ago, Joey de Leon dropped hints on Instagram: “Sabi ko noon, we are not signing off, we are just taking a day-off. In other words, pahinga muna. In English, TAKE FIVE!”
Yesterday, he referenced his TV5 gag show in his post: “Dati may ‘Wow Mali!’ ako for more or less 20 years. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ang MALI pala pag binaliktad mo, LIMA! Wow, tama!”
After the revelation, the rest of the “Dabarkads” posted the video announcing the partnership of TV5 and TVJ. Maine tagged @tv5manila in her caption: “Tuloy and isang libo’t isang tuwa @tv5manila” while Ryzza Mae wrote: “Ang aming bagong tahanan @tv5manila #TVJ Thank you Lord.”
Being broadcast on the noontime slot on TV5 is the Kapamilya program, “It’s Showtime,” which started airing on the Kapatid network in July of 2022.
There are no details yet as to what the title of TVJ’s show will be on TV5 and what timeslot it will occupy.
The new hosts of GMA’s noontime show debuted last Monday, June 5.
Twins Mavy and Cassy Legaspi, comedians Buboy Villar and Betong Sumaya, Paolo Contis, and Alexa Miro, former host of TV5’s defunct show “Tropang LOL,” opened “Eat Bulaga” (EB).
On GMA network’s official Instagram page, the photos of Cassy, Mavy, Paolo, Betong, Buboy, Kokoy de Santos, and XOXO’s Dani Ozaraga, Mel Caluah and Lyra Micolob were posted.
The caption read: “All for love, love for all for Eat Bulaga!
“Nandito na sina Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, Paolo COntis, Betong Sumaya, Buboy Villar, Kokoy de Sanbtos, andn XOXO’s Dani Ozaraga, Mel Caluag, and Lyra Micolob para pasayahin pa lalo ang inyong ponanghalian! Tutok lang sa Eat Bulaga.”
