'Wag na': Joey de Leon reacts to TVJ as National Artists suggestion

MANILA, Philippines — Joey de Leon has another suggestion when some fans said he, Tito Sotto and Vic Sotto, a.k.a TVJ, should be considered in the nominations for National Artist. 

"May nag-suggest gawin na raw kaming National Artists pati 'Eat Bulaga.' Sabi ko WAG NA," wrote the TV host/comedian on Instagram earlier this week. 

He followed it up with his own suggestion and explained why he came up with it. 

"Gawin nyo na lang kaming FUNCTION ALL ARTISTS! Eh kasi we’ve covered nearly everything — radio, TV, newspaper, recording, movies, arts, politics, etc.," he said. 

TVJ has been a notable trio on TV, radio and films, spanning five decades of acting, creating music and hosting the country's longest-running noontime show "Eat Bulaga" since the 1970s. 

Vic, together with his other brother Val, were part of the disco band VST&Company, founded in 1976. The name of the band was an acronym for Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who was also the vice-president of record label Vicor Music Corporation. 

In 1978, Tito and Vic joined Joey to star in the comedy sitcom "Iskul Bukol." A year later in 1979, the trio began hosting the noontime show "Eat Bulaga."

A post shared by Joey de Leon (@angpoetnyo)

To this day, the trio continues to host the noontime show, which recently started to use "Eat Bulaga" instead of "EAT" after figuring out in the trademark issue with its former producer Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) earlier this year.  

Apart from the trio, some fans of singer/host/actress Regine Velasquez-Alcasid also suggested for the artist to be included in the list of nominees for National Artist. 

Regine was named the first Powerhouse honoree at the inaugrual Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards held last March 22. 

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