Vic Sotto, a cornerstone of the iconic TVJ trio alongside Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon, recently clarified that there is no animosity between the hosts of “Eat Bulaga” and “It’s Showtime.” Speaking during an episode of TV5’s noontime show, Sotto emphasized that while the two shows are competitors, they are not enemies.
“We never considered ‘It’s Showtime’ as our enemy. They are our counterparts, our competitors, but we have a different enemy,” Sotto remarked, without specifying any further details about who this “different enemy” might be. This comment comes nearly a year after TVJ’s controversial departure from Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc., which has yet to see a public reconciliation between the involved parties.
Sotto also addressed a recent labor complaint filed against TAPE Inc. by employees who left with TVJ, noting that the dismissal of the complaint this month might soon reveal more about the situation.
Highlighting the spirit of friendly competition, Sotto explained, “An enemy is different from competition. It could be a friendly competition. It has always been the case with ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘It’s Showtime.’ It’s what makes a Filipino’s lunchtime enjoyable.”
In response to questions about the ongoing “noontime war” among fans of the two shows, Sotto described it as part of the entertainment landscape. “It’s part of the game, part of life. It’s what makes our days brighter. There are fans who squabble, but we should all just be happy,” he said.
Regarding rumors of the alleged closure of ‘Eat Bulaga’ due to financial difficulties, Sotto encouraged detractors to continue with their “false stories,” viewing them as inadvertently boosting the show’s popularity. “Just keep doing it so we can become more famous. It will pass. I have my way to deal with trolls—I just scroll past. It’s nothing to me,” Sotto concluded.
This clarification by Vic Sotto sheds light on the dynamics between two of the Philippines’ most beloved noontime shows, reinforcing the notion of competition without hostility in the entertainment industry.