TV host-comedian Joey de Leon surprised viewers of his weekly talk show, “Startalk,” when he made one dare after another as he fumed over a report published in the tabloid Balita that his noontime variety program for 29 years, “Eat Bulaga,” was a flop in its recent US show.
In his article, “Bakit Nag-Flop ang Eat Bulaga sa US?” published on July 29, Balita entertainment editor Dindo Balares claimed a GMA-7 executive, whom he did not name, confirmed the show was indeed a flop. However, if one thoroughly reads the article, the author merely referred to second-hand sources in his statements and that he did not witness the event himself in Los Angeles, California.
The taped “Eat Bulaga” US show, billed “Eat Bulaga Grand Fiesta sa US”, which was aired last Saturday on GMA-7 apparently wasn’t a flop. Footage of the show revealed the venue, the LA Sports Arena, was jampacked. Even a California state senator, Leland Yee, was shown on stage declaring July 19, the day of the US presentation, as “Eat Bulaga” day.
This blog writer however is inviting anyone who attended that particular show to comment and give their own crowd estimates.
Because of what was apparently a false report, Joey fumed and called Dindo a liar. He then urged Dindo to come clean and name the GMA-7 executive who confirmed the seeming falsehood.
“Mapapatawad ko lahat yon na sabihing pangit ang show niyo. For 29 years, sukang-suka na ako sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ okay lang, personal na opinion niyo yan at nangyayari pa yan. Pero sa isang event na tapos na, binaligtad mo, nagsinungaling, galit ako sa mga sinungaling. Dalawa lang naman ang kinagagalitan ko dito eh, ang sinungaling at mandaraya,” Joey told his “Startalk” co-hosts Butch Francisco and Lolit Solis in the live interview last Saturday.
If Dindo could name the GMA-7 executive, Joey said he would forget Dindo’s “transgressions” and even offer him a once-in-a-lifetime gift.
“Hinahamon kita. Bibigyan kita ng ticket sa eroplano papuntang Estados Unidos, first class o business class for two para makasama mo ang dyowa mo. Isang linggong stay sa kahit anong hotel sa Amerika, sagot ko with pocket money na $5000. Sabihin mo lang sa akin kung sino ang GMA executive (na yon),” Joey added.
The biggest surprise came when Joey turned the tables on GMA-7, which he said regularly invites Dindo to its press conferences and functions.
“May nag-kumpirma sa akin na uma-attend ka sa mga presscon dito sa GMA. Eto ang hamon ko pati sa GMA. Pag inimbita niyo uli ang taong yan, mag-re-resign ako sa lahat ng shows ko sa GMA.” Joey emphasized.
Joey previously resigned as entertainment columnist of the Manila Bulletin, Balita’s sister publication, over Dindo’s article.
As of this posting, Dindo remained silent over Joey’s charges.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
May kasabihan na ang “punong mabunga kadalasan ay pinupuna at binabato pa”. Kabilang show ang madalas gumawa niyan palibhasa wala ng maipalabas na mabuti ung sa sa DOS.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I watched it on TV, obviously maraming nanood ng Eat Bulaga sa US. As in masayang masaya ung mga tao especially with the presence of Marian and DIngdong. This certain Dindo Balares is not credible, baka gusto sumikat or mapansin or baka naman kaya nabayaran. Eat Bulaga kaya yan, dito nga sa UAE kahit magkasunod lng ung visit nila talagang sold out ung ticket. Orbit subscriber nga kami pero wala na tiket na mabili.Besides, ang mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa sabik sa mga ganitong shows. So I agree with Joey, sinungaling itong writer na ito. Basta we like Eat Bulaga, we like Joey kc sobrang intelligent nya, when u watch “taktak mo or tatakbo” marami kang mapupulot sa kanya, sa kahit na pinkasimpleng tanong, nakaka-amuse tlaga sya. Go Joey, your brilliant man!