The noontime variety show “Tahanang Pinakamasaya (Home of the Happiest),” which replaced “Eat Bulaga!” last year on GMA Network Inc., has gone off the air after nearly nine months.
The news was confirmed on Monday by veteran talk-show host Boy Abunda on “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” which also airs on the same TV network. “The noontime show ‘Home of the Happiest’ has bid farewell to its viewers,” said Abunda, who was also quoted in a GMA News Online report.
Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc., the show’s producer that has a block-time agreement with GMA Network until the end of the year, has yet to issue an official statement. The show replaced Eat Bulaga in June 2023 but changed its name to “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” after losing a court dispute over trademark issues.
As of press time, the variety show’s official Facebook and YouTube pages have become inaccessible to the public. However, clips of the final episode on March 2 have been re-shared by various social media pages and YouTube channels.
In the said episode, the hosts led by Paolo Contis and actor-politician Isko Moreno bid the audience goodbye.
“Whatever you do and whatever problems you may face, do everything for love. That’s how we love you, Kapuso. Every day, Paolo, the TP family and TAPE Inc. strive to bring the ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ to every Filipino family. Thank you also to our advertisers, supporters and Kapuso.”
Contis, who is a mainstay of GMA Network, said, “Thank you very much. This is a grand Saturday. Another Saturday we won’t forget, and all of this is dedicated to you from TAPE Inc.—the provider of joy and unlimited surprises since 1979 through ‘Eat Bulaga,’ up to now here at ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya.’”
In a report from Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) website, around 97 production staff members of “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” and 33 employees of TAPE Inc. were said to be losing their jobs because of the closure.
The other co-hosts were Alexa Miro, Arra San Agustin, Betong Sumaya, Buboy Villar, Cassy Legaspi, Dasuri Choi, Glaiza de Castro, Kimpoy Feliciano, Kokoy de Santos, Michael Sager, Winwyn Marquez and Yasser Marta
PEP also reported that weak ratings and revenue losses amounting to P800 million led to the show’s closure. Legal disputes
TAPE Inc. has also faced legal disputes over the trademark and usage of “Eat Bulaga”—the show that “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” replaced, but it ultimately lost the case. In January, TAPE Inc. sought a temporary restraining order against the court order on the trademark.
“Eat Bulaga’s” original hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, have since transferred to TV5 with a new noontime show titled “E.A.T.” which started airing on July 1, 2023.
The trio severed their 44-year partnership with TAPE Inc. two months earlier. INQ
