MANILA, Philippines — The Marikina Regional Trial Court has favored the hosting trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon — collectively known as TVJ — in the trademark ownership of the “Eat Bulaga” name over Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE).
TVJ went live on their official Facebook page earlier today, January 5, at 5 p.m. to read out an email tha t Tito received from the Marikina court regarding its decision.
Vic explai ned that they were in a meeting discussing about the trio’s plans for their current show on TV5 titled “E.A.T” for 2024 when the former Senate president received the email at 4:23 p.m.
Tito opted to just read the dispositive portion of the lengthy decision that indicated the court’s resolution.
“Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered in favor of the plaintiffs (which include TVJ) against the defendants (TAPE and GMA Network),” Tito read, pointing that TAPE and GMA were asked to stop using the “Eat Bulaga” and “EB” trademark, logos and jingle.
The resolution also indicated that TAPE and GMA were asked to stop replaying episodes, clips, or segments of “Eat Bulaga” from before May 31, 2023, which was the date when TVJ decided to part ways with TAPE.
Skipping over the damages that further favored TVJ, Tito read out that the Intellectual Property Office should now cancel any trademark registrations under TAPE over “Eat Bulaga.”
“Sa madalin g salita… nanalo po tayo,” the Sotto brothers said after a pause, holding back tears of joy, which led to applause and cheers from the “E.A.T.” production team.
“Patunay ito na sinasabi na tayo ang may -ari ng ‘Eat Bulaga,'” Tito said. TVJ began shaking each other’s hands before Vic continued, “Atin talaga ang ‘Eat Bulaga.'”
The production team then joined TVJ on camera, as the studio band performed the “Eat Bulaga” theme song. They sang the complete lyrics.
TVJ offered their thanks to God, the Marikina Regional Trial Court, their lawyers from DivinaLaw, the production staff, and family and friends.
The “Eat Bulaga” theme song was performed again as the production team did the congo around the teary-eyed TVJ.
It now remains to be seen if TAPE and GMA will comply with pausing their iteration of “Eat Bulaga,” and when TVJ will decide to take on the name for their own noontime variety show. — Video editing by Martin Ramos
RELATED: TVJ files injunction vs TAPE, hopes to use ‘Eat Bulaga’ by January
MANILA, Philippines — Veteran showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin claimed that if Kim Chiu revealed the real reason for their breakup, Xian Lim would no longer have a showbiz career.
In her “Cristy Ferminute” show, Cristy said that a reliable source close to the couple shared with her that Kim respected Xian, so the actress did not disclose the real reason for her separation from the actor.
“Mabait itong si Kim Chiu. Respetedo niya ang kaniyang kapuwa. Edukado siya. Kapag ito ang nagsalita, matinding pasabog ang kalalabasan,” Cristy said.
“Kapag nag-salita na raw si Kim Chiu, goodbye na sa kaniyang career si Xian Lim. Ano kayang ibig sabihin noon?” she added.
Cristy repeated how good of a person Kim is because the actress also chose not to say anything bad about her former boyfriend, actor Gerald Anderson. Kim and Gerald dated from 2006 to 2010.
Two years later in 2012, Kim started dating Xian, who was her leading man in the 2011 drama “My Binondo Girl.”
“Ewan ko lang this time, ha. Dito kay Xian Lim. Kasi mukhang pabor sa kanya ang lahat ng tao na, ‘Mabuti naman nagtanggal ka na ng helmet sa ulo. Nauntog ka na sa katotohanan,’” she said.
Kim and Xian revealed that they broke up last December.
“To Xi, thank you for the almost 12 years of beautiful memories together … You will always have a place in my heart. Thank you for showing me what love is,” Kim said.
“As we close this chapter of our lives, I ask for everyone’s kindness and respect. I hope this clears everything as we all move forward with our lives,” she added. — Video from OnePH YouTube channel
RELATED: ‘End of a love story’: Kim Chiu confirms split with Xian Lim