A total of 130 employees were affected as Tahanang Pinakamasaya, the noontime show produced by Television and Production Exponents Inc. and aired on GMA, had its last episode on Saturday, 2 March.
While it seemed to be business as usual for its hosts, the regular employees’ livelihoods will surely be in peril.
According to a report by the Philippine Entertainment Portal, 97 employees were from the production department of Tahanang Pinakamasaya and the remaining 33 worked directly at TAPE, which is owned by businessman Romeo Jalosjos Sr. with Antonio “Tony” Tuviera as its former head.
In his closing spiels, Tahanang Pinakamasaya host Isko Moreno thanked the advertisers and supporters for their unwavering support.
“Do everything for love, ganyan ang pagmamahal namin sa inyo, mga Kapuso (that’s how we love you),” Moreno said.
Later on, a video surfaced on YouTube showing the emotional staff and hosts of the noontime show.
A news organization reported that TAPE’s debt to GMA Network has ballooned to P800 million. It added that the original contract of Tahanang Pinakamasaya with the TV station was up until December 2024.
Meanwhile, another host, Chariz Solomon, confirmed, via social media, that Tahanang Pinakamasaya aired its farewell episode last Saturday.
“Sis, true ba last day n’yo kahapon Saturday? (Is it true you had your last day last Saturday?),” an Instagram follower asked.
“Sadly, opo (yes). But praying for best days ahead,” Solomon replied.
An official statement is expected to be released as of this writing by the GMA Network and TAPE.
Replays of the show are also reported to be aired from today until 7 March.
In December 2023, Eat Bulaga pioneers Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon — collectively known as the TVJ trio — won their copyright case against TAPE over the trademark ownership of the noontime show they used to host. Since then, TAPE changed the title of the program to Tahanang Pinakamasaya.