Isko, Paolo sign long-term contracts with TAPE; other EB hosts to follow suit

MANILA, Philippines — Is the revamped Eat Bulaga coming to an end on July 29?

TAPE, Inc. has officially dismissed speculations that it will go off air.

“Regarding the issue that Eat Bulaga (EB) will end on July 29, 2023, this is not true. If ever anything ends on July 29, it’s the 43rd year of Eat Bulaga, because on the same date, we’ll celebrate the 44th anniversary of EB,” the GMA 7 blocktime producer’s legal counsel Maggie Garduque said in a statement sent to the press on Saturday.

TAPE’s contract with GMA is good until 2024 “so Eat Bulaga is committed to give fun, entertainment and help to all our Kapuso until its 45th year and beyond,” the lawyer added.

This includes securing their talents for an extended period of time. On Saturday, the relaunched noontime show’s hosts Paolo Contis and former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signed long-term contracts with TAPE.

“With the directive of our president and CEO Romy Jalosjos (Jr.), we are starting to professionalize everything also, like doing contract-signing with employees and talents as this does not only benefit the company, but more so the talents and employees who will be secured of the terms and conditions of their engagements,” Garduque said.

She also commented on Eat Bulaga’s TV ratings as compared to its rival shows, “There’s no reason for that. We don’t contest that on July 1, Eat Bulaga’s rating was low because of the anticipation of people on the launch of the other new shows.”

Though no figures were provided, she claimed that Eat Bulaga’s ratings have since picked up since July 1, the “first monthsary” of the revamp following the exit of the original hosts — Sen. Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, also known as TVJ. July 1 also coincided with the TVJ Productions’ new noontime show E.A.T. on TV5 and the debut of It’s Showtime on the GMA-owned GTV channel.

TAPE said they’re happy with the “performance of their new hosts, the ratings and the inflow of commercial loads.”

“The new EB show is fun, and the rating would speak for itself... This is a testament that people like the show. Thus, apt for the execution of long-term contracts with the hosts, starting with Yorme and Paolo, the other hosts will also be signing the long-term contracts next week,” Garduque also said.

Present during the contract signing were TAPE president and CEO Romy “Jonjon” Jalosjos, chief finance officer Bullet Jalosjos and GMA Sparkle vice president Joy Marcelo.

“Historical talaga itong nangyari ngayon. This is the first time in 44 years that we’ve actually signed our hosts. So talagang ang ganda ng pag-uumpisa namin,” Bullet was also quoted as saying in a 24 Oras report.

In a previous interview with The STAR and other media, Contis begged off from commenting on the ongoing feud between TVJ and TAPE.

“Whatever their issues are, it’s not my place to comment about it. Feeling ko lang masyadong malalim yung problema nila para makialam ako but based on my experience, I love working with Kuya Jonjon, with Kuya Bullet, with Soraya, I love the group,” the GMA 7 artist said.

“Si Kuya Jonjon (Romy Jr.) and Kuya Bullet, they respect the art, they always ask me, si Yorme, the cast, kung ano tingin mo dito, ano tingin mo dyan… Based on my experience working with them, sa ngayon, wala akong masasabi. It has been very smooth, they’re very supportive, they’re very nice to everyone and to us.”