‘A fresh start for the New Year.’
On Saturday, January 6, the Kapatid noontime show hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon opened on a celebratory and emotional note.
This, as they sang the ‘Eat Bulaga’ theme song in full after months of temporarily singing it as ‘E.A.T.,’ which also served as the inteirm title of the program upon their transfer to TV5 in July.
Former Senator Tito Sotto then opened the show: “Napakahalaga po ng araw na ito sa amin at sa ating lahat.”
[“This day is very important to us all.”]
He then expressed the gratitude of the team to the Lord as they achieved what they have been praying for.
“Kahapon, January 5, natanggap namin ang desisyon ng Regional Trial Court ng Marikina, Branch 273, tungkol sa unfair competition and copyright infringement case.”
[“Yesterday, January 5, we received the decision of the Marikina Regional Trial Court Branch 273 regarding the unfair competition and copyright infringement case that we filed.”]
Sotto then shared paragraphs from the rulling, including the court’s order stopping Television and Production Exponents (TAPE), Inc. and GMA Network from using ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘EB,’ the theme song, and replaying episodes and portions before May 31, 2023.
He also read the part where the RTC issued an order to the Intellectual Propety Office to cancel the trademark registration filed by TAPE on the said marks.
Although, the IPO has separately canceled TAPE’s registration in December for sections 16, 18, 21, and 25, and approved the trademark application filed by Joey de Leon for entertainment services under section 41.
‘Tito Sen’ also explained that the court order is “immediately executory.”
His brother Vic Sotto summed it all up and said: “Ibig sabihin din po niyan, eh, nanalo po tayo.”
[“That simply means that we won.”]
“Tayo po ay sumunod sa batas at kumapit sa katotohanan. Isa lang po ang sinasabi ng batas at ng mga manonood: isa lang ang puwedeng tawaging ‘Eat Bulaga’ at yun ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ dito sa TV5!”
[“We abided by the law and upheld the truth. The law and the viewers only say one thing and that there can only be one show named ‘Eat Bulaga’ and that is the one airing here on TV5.“]
Joey de Leon then thanked their supporters, the ‘Legit Dabarkads,’ co-hosts, staff, the TV5 and MediaQuest management, their legal counsel, and advertisers and sponsors.
Vic explained that their court battle is not a fight for mere title, but for the show that people have come to known and love.
Aside from that: “Sa naging desisyon ng korte, makakapagpatuloy pa rin naman ang lahat sa paghahatid ng kasiyahan sa mga manonood sa patas at payapang paraan.”
[“Despite the court’s decision, the parties can still continue to make people happy in a fair and peaceful way.”]
Vic also proclaimed their win as the win of every ‘Dabarkad’ and signalled the start of the new era by asking “let’s all move forward para sa mas masaya at mas makabuluhang ‘Eat Bulaga!'”
[“Let’s all move forward for a much happier and meaningful ‘Eat Bulaga!'”]
Joey then went on the sentimental route as he shared that the “return” of the title coincides with that of the program on channel 9, now known as CNN Philippines.
RPN channel 9 was the original home of ‘Eat Bulaga’ from its premiere back on July 30, 1979 until its departure for ABS-CBN in 1989.
The whole gang, as well the studio audience, then sang the ‘Eat Bulaga’ theme song in unison anew after that.
The updated title card also made an appearance, where the ‘E.A.T. balls’ have finally added the word ‘Bulaga’ after months of ending with ellipses.
While the program has only officially updated its title today, it has been using ‘Eat Bulaga’ for a month now after they started calling themselves by the said title in December 2023 following their win in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
Segments-wise, the show continues to use the titles that they have utilized since their July launch on TV5, such as ‘Sugod Bahay Mga Kapatid’ for the remote segment and ‘Gimme 5’ for the ‘Pinoy Henyo’ game.
‘Eat Bulaga’ airs Monday to Friday at 12 noon on TV5 and Saturdays at 11:30 am on both TV5 and CNN Phillippines.
Trendrod 