Michael V. and Tito Sotto Missed The US Tour of “Eat… Bulaga”

MANILA, Philippines — As reported on “24 Oras,” Michael V (also known as Bitoy) and his family were scheduled to fly to the U.S. on September 16 to join the cast of “Eat… Bulaga” for a tour. Unfortunately for Bitoy, he got afflicted with sore eyes two weeks before his scheduled flight. What’s worse, his wife and kid also caught it and as such, they were prevented from flying.

“24 Oras” reported about the still-dismayed Michael V, who apologized to the PAL passengers he and his family inconvenienced when they were asked to deplane due to their sore eyes. The conflicting ruling between the quarantine doctor and another doctor that double checked their condition while on the plane caused delay in the flight’s departure.

“Paumanhin na rin sa mga na-delay sa flight at doon sa mga Kapuso at Dabarkads natin na naghihintay sana sa Anaheim (USA)," he said.

Having been warned by his wife, an ex-flight stewardess, that they might be prevented from flying, Bitoy said they went through “due process… Ginawa naming ‘yung kailangan naming gawin, na before kami mag-board dumaan kami ng quarantine. Na ipinasa naman kami. Binigyan kami ng certification,” Bitoy shared on “Startalk” on September 25.

“Tapos eto na, medyo na-delay ‘yung flight at nakapasok na kami sa loob. Habang naka upo, doon nilapitan kami ng isa pang doctor… second opinion daw. At sila raw ay nagsu-supersede nung quarantine, kaya kami’y pinababa ng eroplano.”

Bitoy clarified, however, that being asked to deplane was not the issue. “Wala namang problema sa ’min kung paliparin kami o hindi, ang ano ko lang sana maayos ang sistema kasi apparently galing sa kanila mismo… na palaging nangyayari (na mali ang abiso ng quarantine doctor), eh bakit? Sana ginawan nang aksiyon," Bitoy lamented on “24 Oras” on September 24.

While they left the plane without any complains, what dismayed Bitoy further was that he saw some negative comments about the incident posted by one of the airlines’ crew members on a social networking site

Bitoy had reportedly written a complaint to the management of PAL, but as of this report, they had not received any response. An additional report on GMANews.tv said that a spokesperson for PAL said they would investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, Bitoy wasn't the only no-show at the US show of “Eat… Bulaga” last September 18. Even Senator Tito Sotto opted not to take a trip to the US for medical reasons involving his family.

“Nangyari kasi Sunday pa lang of that week, kinonfine namin sa ospital ‘yung panganay kong apo, si Romino, dahil nagkaroon siya ng dengue. Napilitan siyang itakbo sa ICU,” he told “Startalk” on September 25.

While in there hospital, the doctor reportedly had to do everything to revive his veins. “Hindi ko na maisip ang kahit anong bagay, medyo talagang hindi ko kayang magtrabaho,” Sotto added.

What’s worse, Romino’s mom — Senato Sotto’s eldest daughter — Apples also contracted dengue the following day.

“Nagre-recover pa lang kami emotionally,” he stated. “Ako rin, parang medyo down pa ako nang unti, hindi pa talaga yung natural natin, pero pinagpapasalamat namin sa Panginoong Diyos na pinagbigyan niya yung mga dasal namin. Pinagpapasalamat ko nalang na bumuti, at kahit papaano naka revocer yung apo ako, at pati na rin si Apple.”