TAPE ensures job security for ‘Eat Bulaga’ employees

“Eat Bulaga” producer Television and Production Exponent Inc. (TAPE) announced that the job security of the program's crew is its primary concern for renewing the show's trademark certificate of registration.

According to lawyer Maggie Abraham-Garduque, TAPE's legal counsel, had they not done so, the non-renewal could potentially harm the livelihood of workers who opted to stay with TAPE Inc. following the departure of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) from the program in May.

Former Mayor Isko Moreno leads the set of young ‘Eat Bulaga’ hosts. FACEBOOK PHOTO/TAPE INC.

“It was [done] not only to continuously provide help and [bring] fun to audiences [but] the certificate of registration of 'EB' was also worth renewing for the more than 160 employees of TAPE Inc. working at 'Eat Bulaga,'” Garduque told The Manila Times.

The lawyer also clarified that only 20 percent of TAPE employees left the company when TVJ resigned.

“We can't expect our show to bring joy to others when we know that the people working in front of the camera or those behind the scenes are suffering. We're a real family here in 'EB' and we always do our best to care for everyone,” Garduque said.

The Bureau of Trademarks under the Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued a Certificate of Renewal of Registration to TAPE Inc. for the “Eat Bulaga!” trademark, which makes the production company the continuous owner of the names “Eat Bulaga!” and “EB” and their logos until 2033.

According to the certificate from IPOPHL, the trademark and tradename was first registered on June 14, 2013, and renewed on June 14, this year. The new registration is valid for another 10 years or until June 14, 2033.

Furthermore, TAPE Inc. was granted ownership for classes 16, 18, 21, and 25 for goods or merchandise items with the EB trademark.

According to IPOPHL's website, a trademark is “a word, a group of words, a sign, a symbol, a logo, or a combination thereof that identifies and differentiates the source of the goods or services of one entity from those of others.” Registration of the trademark protects a brand's identity in the marketplace, providing the owner with “exclusive rights to prevent others from using or exploiting the mark in any way.” Garduque also dispelled speculations that “EB” will transfer from GMA to the ALLTV network. She emphasized that there is “no need or reason” for the noontime show to leave GMA, which has been 'EB's' home for nearly 28 years. Its existing block-time agreement with the said network is valid until 2025.

Meanwhile, a release from former Manila Mayor and current “EB” host Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso expressed optimism over the audience's appreciation of the show.

“We're really trying to put our best foot forward every single day. And we're very happy also with the [ratings]' numbers,” Moreno said in an interview.

Domagoso cited 'EB's' August 19 rating based on an AGB Nielsen report, which noted that the show earned a 3.48 percent Philippine National Television Audience Measurement (PHINTAM) rating, surpassing rivals “EAT's” 3.44 percent of EAT and “It's Showtime's” 2.81 percent ratings.

The show also accumulated a 3.57 percent Rural Television Audience Measurement (RTAM) rating, above “EAT” (2.22 percent) and “It's Showtime” (2.19 percent) for the same date.

These ratings, however, vary among market research sources like Kantar and Comscore, and do not include the number of online views each show garners from various free-to-stream social media platforms.

Nevertheless, Moreno compared “EB” to a buffet meal, which always has much to offer those who partake in the feast.

“For us, we only spread love and good vibes. That is our mindset everyday,” he said.

Moreno also applauded “EB's” creative and production team and TAPE Inc.'s management for its continued goal to develop a viewer-centric program that “aims to pay happiness forward.”

WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTS FROM TMT ENTERTAINMENT