Paolo Contis and former Manila mayor Isko “Yorme” Moreno, the new hosts of GMA 7’s revamped noontime show Eat Bulaga, have formally signed long-term contracts with the production company TAPE Inc.
The hosts were joined by TAPE executives Bullet and Jonjon Jalosjos, along with Joy Marcelo from GMA Sparkle Artist Center and TAPE legal counsel Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque at the APT Studios where the contract signing was held on Saturday, July 8.
Paolo and Isko expressed their gratitude to TAPE and their Kapuso viewers.
“I’m very thankful for TAPE’s trust in me and Yorme… Both of us are committed to deliver help and fun to our viewers for a long time so we consider this an important day. Like what we always say, Eat Bulaga will stay as long as its audience is there. They are Eat Bulaga, not the hosts,” Paolo said in a media statement.
Similarly, Yorme thanked the show’s staff, “Thank you very much to the creative and production staff of G sa Gedli.’ Paolo and I share the same goal of the new Eat Bulaga — to give out help and fun. This time, the viewers are our priorities.”
A report by the local news outlet Pang-Masa quoted Atty. Garduque as stating that the contract-signing was intended for the security of the hosts’ tenure.
“Hindi lang hosts ang papipirmahin namin kundi pati empleyado na first time ginawa ng TAPE,” said Atty. Garduque.
TAPE, Inc. doused speculations widely circulating on social media that the recently relaunched Eat Bulaga will go off the air this coming July 29.
Atty. Garduque 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, but thereafter, its rating has been picking up.”
TAPE’s team acknowledged that the new EB hosts are going through a rough patch, being bashed online and hounded by fake news.
Nevertheless, TAPE bosses are saying they’re happy with the performance of their new hosts, the ratings, and the inflow of commercial loads.
The Eat Bulaga team is also gearing up for its month-long celebration to mark the 44th anniversary of the longest-running noontime show. This will peak on July 29 as its “Big Day.”
Atty. Garduque clarified, “Regarding the issue that Eat Bulaga will end on July 29, 2023, this 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.”
“On that day, EB has plenty of surprises that televiewers shouldn’t miss.”
She also noted that 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,” said Atty. Garduque on the program’s longevity.
“With the directive of our president and CEO Romy ‘Jonjon’ Jalosjos, 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.
“Jalosjos shares his confidence in the new EB hosts. He’s also happy in the developments on the show.
“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 contract with the hosts, starting with Yorme and Paolo, the other hosts will also be signing the long-term contract next week,” concluded Atty. Garduque.
