Dabarkads turned emotional as main hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, announced the departure of the longest-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! from TV production company TAPE Inc. on Wednesday.
With a heavy heart, comedian Vic, standing between his fellow Dabarkads, Tito and Joey, took a deep breath and uttered the words that would forever change the landscape of Philippine television.
“Simula ngayong May 31, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE Inc. (Starting today, May 31, we must part ways with TAPE Inc.),” he said.
“Karangalan po namin na kami po ay nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay niyo. Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. (It has been our honor to bring joy and happiness from Batanes to Jolo and be a part of your lives. Thank you very, very much to all of you),” Vic continued thanking the public for their unwavering support throughout the years.
“Hanggang sa muli, saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa. (Until we meet again, wherever destiny takes us, the celebration of a thousand and one joys continues),” concluded the 69-year-old show host.
The announcement concluded with Joey bidding farewell to their loyal audience, saying, “Love you, bye-bye.”
TVJ, along with the other Dabarkads hosts, have been an integral part of Eat Bulaga, and the variety show has become a cherished lunchtime tradition for many Filipinos.
While earlier rumors circulated online about TVJ being removed from Eat Bulaga or the show being transferred to other networks, no official statement confirming these speculations has been made.
As the curtain falls on this chapter of Eat Bulaga, the departure of TVJ from TAPE Inc. marks the end of an era.
