TELEVISION hosts Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon attribute "Eat Bulaga's" success to its loyal Dabarkads.
This month, the longest running noontime variety program marks another milestone as it celebrates its 38th year in providing fun and laughter to every Filipino household.
"Eat Bulaga," the brainchild of Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (Tape) boss Antonio Tuviera, has lived up to its promise of providing "Isang Libo'ts Isang Tuwa" since it premiered in 1979.
Four decades on, as De Leon put it, "Eat Bulaga" has remained "the extension of our homes".
He said that the show still exists not only because they go with the time, but also because they know the importance of their audience.
"We've been through seven presidents and counting. We’ve been to three different networks (RPN 9, ABS-CBN and GMA-7), dapat kasali lagi ang audience. Hindi naming ilalayo ang sarili namin. Dapat connected kami sa masses… sa viewers. Kailangan one of them ka, kailangan maabot ka," he said.
Sotto, for his part, said he never though the program that was initially established to rival "Student Canteen," the number one show during the 70s, would end up as a staple in everyone's lunchtime habit.
"When we were starting, (I thought) it's just a new show. I never thought we would reach this far."
He said the show's success is not just because of the people in front of the camera, but also the creative heads behind it.
"Credit goes to the think tanks of the show, the writers, the staff, and of course our producer, Mr. Tuviera. (The show) makes people happy. It entertains them. There’s always room for improvement," Sotto said
Over the years, "Eat Bulaga" introduced over 300 segments that reached out to people of all ages. Among the most popular ones are “Little Miss Philippines,” “That's My Boy,” “Super Sireyna,” “Laban O Bawi,” “Taktak Mo o Takbo,” “Pinoy Henyo,” “Juan for All, All for Juan,” and “Kalyeserye.”
It also introduced the phenomenal "AlDub" love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza in 2015. The two young stars said they owe much of their showbiz success to the program.
"To be part of the longest running noontime program in the Philippines is such a big blessing, Hindi kasi lahat nabibigyan ng pagkakataon makatrabaho sila at maswerte ako dahil I also consider them as my family,” Richards said.
Mendoza said that being part of "Eat, Bulaga" is like having another family.
"Hindi lang katrabaho yung turing nila sa iyo kundi parang pamilya talaga. It's not like working because you are having fun and you are with the people you're comfortable with. Once you've been part of this, parang family talaga," she said.
Sotto said that even though they've been on air for 38 years, somehow, it feels like they're just starting in the business. He said it's not like work when you are having fun.
"We make sure that they feel comfortable, we make them feel that this is a family and this is not just work. I think that's one recipe on the success of the show."
But all the laughter aside, the seasoned host/comedian said that they cannot rest on their laurels and there is still a lot of work to be done.
"Sabi nga ni Tito Sen (Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto), 'It's a public service show in the guise of entertainment", he ended. (VoxPop Philippines)
