Eat Bulaga host Paolo Contis admitted that they were affected by being called ‘fake’ by the critics of Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. after being put as a replacement for the Dabarkads who left the show on May 31, 2023.
During the closing spiel of Eat Bulaga on July 29, 2023, Paolo insisted that they’re not fake and their intention to help the people and make them happy was legitimate.
‘MASAKIT PO SA’MIN KAPAG TINATAWAG NIYO KAMING ‘FAKE BULAGA’’ Paolo started.
“Sa 44 years, lahat po tayo ay naging bahagi nito. Hindi po maiiwasan na may mga magsasabi na wala naman po kaming ambag dahil bago lamang po kami dito. Pero ang mahalaga lahat naman po ay ginagawa namin para ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng saya at tulong sa inyo.
“Hindi na po kami mahalaga. Maaari pong dumating ang araw hindi na rin kami ang andito pero basta ang mahalaga ay ipagpapatuloy namin ang matagal ng hangarin ng Eat Bulaga. Ang magbigay ng tulong at saya,” he also said.
Several hosts couldn’t stop themselves from being emotional while listening to Paolo.
It can be recalled that ‘Fake Bulaga’ term was made popular by veteran columnist Cristy Fermin who’s an active supporter of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.
“Hindi ko alam kung anong itatawag ko diyan. Sa kanilang… napapahinto ako. Fake Bulaga ba? O ano bang sasabihin ko? Kasi hindi talaga sila original,” Cristy said.