A writer writes an open letter to Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. demanding the company stop using the segment that he allegedly wrote for the show.
In his Facebook post, Jericho Sison Calingal publicly called out TAPE for their continuous use of ‘EB Happy’ segment despite his request.
“2 weeks nyo na pong ginagamit ng sapilitan ang IP ko,” said Calingal. “At dahil po dyan ive already filed a COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION for the said title sa Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines for Entertainment services in the nature of live visual and audio performances, and musical, variety, news and comedy shows.”
“How can i prove that its my IP? I have screenshots,conversations and original scripts to back it up. Pag-isipin nyo po ng ibang title at format ang mga writers nyo. Huwag po sana kayong mapagsamantala. Again MAAYOS po akong nakipagusap sa inyo,” he added.
In another post, Calingal shared the complete story of why he could prove that he had the rights to the said segment.
According to him, he was hired as a writer for Eat Bulaga on July 5, 2023, to create another version of ‘Bulagaan’.
He also created a team of writers to assist him in creating the said segment.
Calingal explained that he only wanted TAPE to stop using the title that he created for the segment.
“Ano po ang issue ko? Pwede naman po nilang ipagpatuloy ang segment basta Ibahin na lang po nila ang title. Kasi ang usapan po namin Jan ay Gagamitin lang ang title na yan pag kami ang magsusulat ng segment every Saturday. ANONG PROOF KO NG USAPAN. SADLY WALA PO ITS ALL VERBAL AGREEMENT PO,” he said.
Calingal also narrated that he felt disrespected when the head writer of Eat Bulaga changed the skit for the segment to lengthen it.
To resolve the issue, Calingal said that they held a meeting with the said head writer, but he made it clear that the Jalosjos brothers were not present during the discussion.
Two days after the incident, he received a message from a top official of TAPE, informing him that the showing of EB Happy would be postponed indefinitely.
However, the following week, Calingal was informed that EB Happy was being aired again without his permission.
“Dumating ang July 22 ng 2:18 ng hapon..tumawag ang isa sa mga co writers ko..at sinabing may EB HAPPY segment daw at kasulukuyan nyang pinapanood. Me and him was hurt. Bakit ako nasaktan? Kasi maayos kaming nag kausap. ang usapan kami ang magsusulat ng content ng segment every saturday. Feeling ko naisahan kami ng writer nila…yung mga writer nila(writer ng games and spiels) nagaabang lang ng idea na maganda tapos pag panget dededmahin,pero pag click I keclaim na lang nila ng walang kaabog abog. Bilang writer at creatives, that hurts,” he said.
“Naalala ko po nung unang airing ng EB HAPPY,Happy at Pumapalakpak ang mga Boss Nag congratulate ang mga Boss dun sa HEADWRITER. Pero kaming mga totoong nakaisip ng content..walang appreciation kahit kunti sa kahit kanino sa kanila. kaya ayun nag pa picture na lang kaming 4 na segment writer with the boss…” he added.
Calingal clarified that he was happy working with TAPE, but he said that his rights must be respected and they should stop using the title of EB Happy without his permission.
As of writing, TAPE Inc. has yet to give response to Calingal’s claims.