Vic Sotto | Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Toni Talks

Veteran actor-host Vic Sotto made it clear that he holds no ill feelings towards GMA Network and emphasized that his disappointment lies solely with TAPE Incorporated, after the management proposed rebranding and restructuring “Eat Bulaga,” which included plans to replace the veteran hosts Tito Sotto, Vic, and Joey de Leon (TVJ).

“It was more of TVJ and TAPE Incorporated. We were happy with GMA until now, wala naman kaming masamang tinapay (we hold no ill feelings) with GMA people. We are still friends. Ang naging problema lang namin is (the only problem is) with TAPE,” Vic opened up to Toni Gonzaga.

Vic shared his deep hurt upon being informed by the management that they were being removed as hosts due to their age, despite their pivotal role in making the show a household name and a consistent success over its nearly 50-year run.

“I mean, just imagine 44 years of doing it, making money for them, and enriching them. Tapos all of a sudden, dahil nagkakaedad na daw kami (because we are getting older), aalisin na daw kami (we are being removed). Eat Bulaga ‘yan, kami ‘yon (that’s us). Si Joey nagimbento nung title (Joey came up with the name) tapos we really worked hard for it,” he said.

“Like ‘yung pinagkwukwentuhan natin kanina hindi kami sumesweldo (the one where we don’t receive our salary), tinanggap namin lahat ‘yon kasi enjoy kami show (we accepted it because we enjoy the show). We’re like one big family here, tapos bigla bigla na lang, the boss, we were called for a general meeting, announcing that Tito, Vic, and Joey, thank you; nice working with you. Sakit. Sakit non (it hurts),” continued a teary-eyed Vic.

The “Enteng Kabisote” star shared that TAPE tried to revoke their decision, but they have already begun negotiating with another network, which is TV5. He also conceded that it was the most emotional moment for the comedic trio (Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon).

“Oo totoo yon [pinaka emotional moment ng TVJ sa TV]. Nung pumutok ‘yon, nagalit ‘yung mga netizen, nabash sila mula ulo hanggang paa so medyo bumaliktad sila. Pero nandoon na ‘yung sugat, na hindi basta basta maghihilom. So we started talking to other networks,” he stated.

(Yes, that’s true [TVJ’s most emotional moment on TV]. When it exploded, the netizens were angry, they were bashed from head to toe so they turned around a bit, but the wound was already there, and it won’t just heal.)

On May 31, 2023, TVJ announced their departure from TAPE Inc., leading to a mass resignation of other key hosts and production staff. Following their exit, TAPE Inc. continued airing their reformatted “Eat Bulaga!” version, with a new set of hosts.

TVJ, TAPE Inc., and GMA Network engaged in a legal battle over the name and associated trademarks of “Eat Bulaga!” TVJ prevailed in the legal battle against TAPE, allowing them to continue the show’s legacy under their stewardship.