Willie Revillame insists that he always considered John Estrada a good friend even though they had not spoken to each other in two years before they reconciled last week.
“Never naman kaming nag-away talaga. Wala akong bitterness kahit kanino. Kung ‘yung iba, may bitterness sa akin, nasa sa kanila ‘yun”, declared the “Wil Time Bigtime” host during the simple turnover rites of his P1 million donation to the non-government organization Save Our Women at the US Embassy Wednesday afternoon.
Willie confirmed that he personally extended his condolences to John when he arrived past Thursday midnight on the last night of his father’s wake at the Heritage Memorial Chapel.
When asked if the reconciliation with John extends to other bosom buddy and fellow “Magandang Tanghali, Bayan (MTB)” alumnus Randy Santiago, Willie simply said that he has not seen Randy as of late. It can be recalled that like John, Randy was also believed to have offended Willie following their decision to both co-host “Happy Yipee Yehey” on ABS-CBN.
As a result of the acrimonious split with ABS-CBN and his friends’ decision to stick it out with the network, Willie famously snubbed John’s wedding with Brazilian model Priscilla Mireilles in February 2011, a ceremony in which he was supposed to be the best man.
Willie has avoided controversy since “Willing Willie” turned into “Wil Time Bigtime” and has done what colleagues consider an admirable job of running the popular variety game show.
One of those colleagues was former fierce rival, Joey De Leon who publicly greeted Willie on his birthday last January with a taped message on “Wil Time Bigtime”.
“Bihira ang taong nakakapagpatawa sa akin sa buong bahay ko pero isa na diyan si Willie Revillame. Nakakatawa at nakakatuwa ka talaga, minsan lang nakakaasar ka lang pag kalaban ka. Pero sana ay magpatuloy ka pa sa pagpapasaya sa tao,” Joey said.
One minor issue in the show that keeps cropping up involved the departure of past co-hosts Rufa Mae Quinto, Sugar Mercado and Iwa Moto, which were not necessarily attributed to Willie himself. The host hopes to address that with the debut of a new co-host this coming Saturday.
“Panoorin nyo na lang para malaman nyo kung sino. All I can tell you is that she’s smart, articulate and very much ready to host the show with me,” Willie enthused.
With regards to his P1 million donation to Save Our Women, Willie said it’s a no-brainer to assist a non-profit organization that “aims to further the advocacy against Violence Against Women and their Children and concentrates mostly on domestic and intimate-relationship violence.”
“Actually, pinag-usapan naming ng mga lawyers naming ito sa Wil Productions at sa Wil Foundation, sana eh sa munting tulong naming ay muling makapagsimula ang mga biktima ng domestic violence dito sa ating bansa.”
In accepting the donation, Patti Gallardo, founder and executive director of the Baguio-based NGO and a victim of domestic violence herself, said that the donation is a huge amount that will go a long way towards the building of a center for victims and survivors while also empowering them financially.
US Ambassador to the Philippine Harry Thomas, Jr. also announced that the US Embassy in Manila will host a Silent Auction on November 26 for the benefit of Save Our Women.
Among the many items up for grabs in the auction are four pairs of boxing gloves autographed by multi-titled boxing champ and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, a painting by actress Chin Chin Gutierrez from the collection of Jim and Shanti Ward, a basketball autographed by Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and a designer dress by celebrated designer Paul Cabral.
source: interaksyon.com
