Television is a competitive industry and for a program to last for forty-two years on air is no easy feat.
Eat Bulaga is now an institution on the local entertainment landscape surviving cultural shifts, disruptions in the media, including the ever-changing ways of how people access entertainment brought about the fast-paced world of technology.
“It’s the pulse. Even before TVJ, we have a very good sense of what the people want. And through the years, it has developed and has trickled down to the people we work with,” Sen. Tito Sotto told Manila Standard Entertainment alluding to Eat Bulaga being an institution on local television.
“And we are lucky that the people behind the camera also have that kind of pulse, especially the writers. Ika nga, nababasa nila ang pulso ng masa,” the senator carried on.
For Vic Sotto, the show’s mass appeal contributes to its longevity.
“Masarap panuorin ang Eat Bulaga dahil madali siyang panoorin. Kahit nasa bahay ka kaya mong mag-multitask habang nage-enjoy, nakikitawa at minsan nakikiiyak sa show. Madaling panoorin pero may dating sa puso. Kaya nga rin tayo’y Kapuso dahil ‘yun ang pinaka importanteng ingredient sa ating buhay – puso,” said the variety show’s Bossing.
Joey De Leon, on the other hand, playfully claims how the universe seems to conspire Eat Bulaga to remain in GMA for eternity, “Hindi pa seven ang GMA, seven na kami. Mula Student Canteen, nag-Discorama, hanggang sa nabuo kaming Tito, Vic, and Joey. Palagay ko kung may mother of all, Eat Bulaga na ‘yun. Ngayon, at 27 years sa GMA-7, seven presidents na rin ang dinaanan ng Eat Bulaga at tumatakbo tayo sa ating ika-43rd year. Add mo ‘yun 4 plus 3 equals 7. Kaya hindi lang forever kundi 7-ever na ‘to.”
De Leon also added that Eat Bulaga is such an innovative show.
“We follow the trend, and sometime we also set the trend. ‘Yan ang dahilan kung bakit kami nagtagal ng ganito,” he exclaimed.
The Philippines’ longest-running and multi-awarded noontime show continues to bring “isang libo’t isang tuwa” to its millions of viewers worldwide as GMA Network and TAPE Inc. renewed their block time agreement for the airing of the program in a contract signing held Jan.11.
Eat Bulaga has provided Filipinos non-stop fun, entertainment and public service through its various segments including the well-loved ‘Mr. Pogi,’ ‘Bulagaan,’ ‘All For Juan, Juan For All,’ ‘Pinoy Henyo,’ ‘Little Miss Philippines,’ ‘Bawal Judgment,’ among others. Now, the top-rating variety show is gearing up for a more enjoyable and fun noontime experience for the Dabarkads around the globe still with GMA as its home network.
GMA Network executives showed their full support and excitement to Eat Bulaga’s contract renewal via Zoom.
Present during the virtual event were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Network Films Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, First Vice President for Program Management Department Jose Mari R. Abacan, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier-Cruz, Assistant Vice President For Program Management Department Concie Agnes, and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio.
TAPE Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio P. Tuviera and Senior Vice President for Creatives and Production Operations Jeny Ferre were also present for the momentous occasion.
Joining TVJ were Allan K, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo, Pauleen Luna, Jimmy Santos, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Alden Richards.
GMA’s head honcho believes it is only appropriate that the number 1 noontime show in the Philippines will continue to air in the number 1 television station in the country, “We at GMA Network are honored to have been chosen once again by TAPE Inc. to be the home TV station of Eat Bulaga, their very popular TV program. Many have tried to beat Eat Bulaga, the longest-running number 1 noontime TV program in the Philippines. And if I’m not mistaken, in the whole world.
Meanwhile, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes put it succinctly: “Gusto ko lang sabihin na kung may forever, mukhang ito na iyon.”
