TAPE exec talks about future of ‘Eat Bulaga’; confirms upcoming changes in the program

‘Tuloy ang ligaya sa Eat Bulaga!’

That is what TAPE Chief Financial Officer and Dapitan City, Zamboanga Mayor Bullet Jalosjos assured viewers during his live interview with Boy Abunda on ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. He said that he was allowed by the board to publicly talk about ‘Eat Bulaga’ and the noontime show’s future.

First, he detailed what was the reason for Antonio P. Tuviera’s exit from the executive producer chair at ‘Bulaga’. According to Jalosjos, Tuviera retired in March after 4 decades in his EP role. That is despite the request from his father, TAPE Chairman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. for Tuviera to stay in the position. Bullet also denounced rumors that Tuviera was forced to rertire because of the senior Jalosjos. He also said that there is no feud between Tuviera and any member of the Jalosjos family.

Bullet confirmed that Tuviera is still part of TAPE and ‘Eat Bulaga’ as a consultant for the show.

Second, he discussed the ownership of TAPE, Inc. Bullet says the Jalosjos family combined has 70% share in the company, while Tuviera was given 20% of the company decades ago as a sign of gratitude for his contributions for ‘EB’. The Jalosjos kids, including Bullet and his sister Soraya, entered the board only “3 or 4 years ago,” the CFO said.

Bullet also described their entry to TAPE and ‘Eat Bulaga’ post-Tuviera “difficult,” due to them being newbies in the business. He says that they are still “in the process” of building a rapport with the team. Jalosjos says that Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ), as well as Tuviera himself are guiding them in their work as members of the board.

In terms of approval, since the beginning, the senior Jalosjos had a say in greenlighting shows and segments of ‘Eat Bulaga’.

Third, he discussed what occurred on the controversial general assembly on February 28. Bullet says that it was actually Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. who called the said meeting on February 28 to discuss the Jalosjos kids’ involvement in the business and announce Tuviera’s retirement. It was also on the same occasion when Romeo ‘Jonjon’ Jalosjos, Jr. was appointed as TAPE’s new President. As for the senior, he still participates in the business actively in the company as Chairman of the board.

‘Juan major issue for all’: Eat Bulaga reportedly facing an internal crisis

Fourth, CFO Bullet says that instead of a ‘rebranding,’ they will take the changes as an opportunity for a “rebonding.” “A rebonding of casts, the show, the staff, management and TAPE’s relationship with GMA,” he said.

He also confirmed that TVJ asked for clarification about the changes, but Jalosjos assured them that they will still remain as they are “integral to the show, as the show is to their career.”

Current hosts, like Paolo Ballesteros, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, among others, will all remain, as they will still be assigned to planned new segments in Eat Bulaga. He also said that none of the hosts will leave, but there are indeed new hosts that will be introduced.

Jalosjos describes relationship with cast members as “okay.”

Fifth, in terms of the content, he confirmed that ‘Eat Bulaga’ will indeed undergo a reformat, “with improved segments and bigger prizes.”

TAPE to reformat ‘Eat Bulaga’

Jalosjos also denied rumors of the show transferring to NET25. The show will continue to be seen on GMA in the foreseeable future, as TAPE still has a contract with the Kapuso network that is set to expire in 2025.

Mayor Bullet also denied rumors of financial issues within the company, saying TAPE is “stable” and is able to pay “the hosts and [its airtime in] GMA.”

Lastly, he also shared his opinion on the controversy that surrounded the show these past few months. He says that it may be brought about by the natural reaction of reluctance to change, especially that the show was virtually under the same reins for more than 43 years. But he assured that despite the upcoming “improvements” in the show, “tuloy-tuloy ang ligaya sa ‘Eat Bulaga’.” [The fun continues in ‘Eat Bulaga’.]