What arrest? Lawyer says Willie Revillame already posted bail in 2013

A 2011 child abuse case against Willie Revillame has been upheld by a Court of Appeals ruling, but a lawyer for the often-controversial TV host was quick to refute reports that his client would soon be arrested.

“Contrary to reports, Mr. Revillame is not evading the complaint against him as he has submitted himself to the legal process. Upon the finding of probable cause by the regional trial court of Quezon City Branch 86, Mr. Revillame sought and was immediately granted bail,” Atty. Leonard de Vera said in a statement on Monday.

“Mr. Revillame voluntarily posted bail in the amount of P80,000.00 on September 4, 2013 or more than two years ago. Accordingly, it is unnecessary for the trial court to issue a warrant of arrest against Mr. Revillame,” De Vera added.

The original case was filed in 2011 by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in response to the public outcry that met a “macho dancing” performance by a 6-year-old boy as instigated by Revillame in his TV5 game show “Willing Willie”.

“As part of Mr. Revillame’s right to due process, he appealed the trial court’s finding of probable cause against him before the Court of Appeals by way of Petition for Certiorari. However, the resolution of this appeal remained pending for 2 years, until the Court of Appeals ruled last September 7, 2015,” De Vera explained.

Revillame’s lawyer further decried what he called “inaccurate reports spreading in social and mass media” which he said were “being misinterpreted by certain quarters on account of Mr. Revillame’s success in his new show ‘Wowowin’ now being aired in GMA 7.”

“It is evident that these reports are intended merely to taint and besmirch Mr. Revillame and his new show in the Kapuso network,” De Vera concluded.

However, media reports had merely taken their cue from the CA ruling, which was released only last Friday.

Part of the decision penned by Justice Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla and concurred by Justices Normandie Pizarro and Samuel Gaerlan read, “As there is probable cause for the petitioner’s commission of a crime, his arrest and arraignment should now ensue so that this case may properly proceed to trial, where the merits of both parties’ evidence and allegations may be weighed.”

The decision was welcomed by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman who recalled that the DSWD filed the case against Revillame in 2011 for violating Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

“It can be recalled that Mr. Revillame made a six-year old boy perform gyrating dance movements on national television in an earlier version of his show,” Soliman further noted.

She said the DSWD remains committed in its “mandate of promoting and protecting the welfare of children, in all aspects and settings.”

Meanwhile, De Vera maintained that his client is innocent.

“Mr. Revillame has the Constitutional right to be presumed innocent while his case is being heard by the court. We categorically assert that there is no evidence that Mr. Revillame is guilty of the the crime charged against him. Mr. Revillame remains confident that he will be vindicated as he had absolutely no criminal intent when he invited the child contestant to showcase his talent. He had done nothing to degrade, debase, or demean the dignity of the child,” he asserted.

source: interaksyon.com

‘Wowowillie’ bows out with 4-hour farewell show; Willie Revillame vows to return soon

Almost five months after Willie Revillame announced that his noontime show on TV5, “Wowowillie”, will have its last show on October 12, the popular but ofent-controversial comedian and TV host made good on his promise with a grand four-hour “farewell party” at the Delta Theater.

Despite the heavy rains, the place was packed with a standing room only audience, many of whom came from places like Bataan, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, the United States, Kuwait and Japan. Upon acknowledging the crowd, Willie immediately hollered that each one be given P5,000 each.

Yes, lots of money were given away throughout the show as Willie and co-hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Grace Lee, Ava Jugueta, Joy Viado and Cacai Bautista conducted the usual contest portions.

Randy Santiago, who had filled in for Willie for several days leading up to the final show, was also on hand to help out in the hosting chores and even performed a song number with rapper and Saturday mainstay Abra.

Other musical numbers were provided by soul siren Nina as well as by Mariel, Ava, Joy, Cacai and former co-host Camille Villar, who departed last February to pursue masteral studies in Spain.

Former co-hosts Arci Muñoz and Lovely Abella were also around to join the celebration while Camille’s parents and long-time Willie allies, former Senator Manny Villar and wife Senator Cynthia Villar, were among those Willie acknowledged in the audience.

Reflecting not only on the 10-month run of “Wowowillie” on the air but also on his three years with the Kapatid network as host of previous shows “Willing Willie” and “Wil Time Bigtime”, Willie asserted how his shows were able to connect with the masses though the countless prizes they were able to give away.

“Dito po ang pinapansin ang mga hindi pinapansin. Ang importante po dito binibigyan ng halaga kahit sino ka lalo na ang mga taong kapuspalad,” Willie intoned during his final speech to close the show. “Yung mga tao pong akala nila wala nang pangarap pero merong pag-asang binibigay ang mga programang katulad nito. Nandito kami hindi lamang po maging masaya kami, nagiging masaya kami kapag nakapagbibigay kami ng kasiyahan sa inyo sa araw-araw.”

In thanking the Villars in particular, Willie noted that his shows were able to give away a total of 28 houses and lots from Camella Land and Vista Land. “Sina Senators Manny at Cynthia Villar, parang 911 yan. Isang tawag lang namin, bigay agad ng bahay yan,” he stressed.

Like his previous shows, the 10-month run of “Wowowillie” was not without its share of controversies.

Co-host Ethel Booba had a falling out with Willie that she said had started as early as the show’s initial broadcast last January 26 when he jokingly blamed her for the two power failures that marred the show. Ethel said the last straw came when he berated her and fellow co-host Ate Gay on the air the following month after allegedly complaining on the result of a costume contest won by choreographer Anna Feliciano.

Ate Gay himself left the show in April after he felt slighted when then newly hired co-hosts Cacai Bautista and Joy Viado took his usual place as the finale act of the show’s mini-concierto segment.

Another former co-host, Lovely Abella, was reportedly dismissed after she accepted an out-of-town engagement without the show’s consent.  Unlike Lovely, Ethel and Ate Gay were not present during the final show on Saturday. Still, Willie acknowledged their contributions while stressing that he harbors no hatred and bitterness towards anybody.

Then there was the show’s run-in with the Movie Television Review and Classification Board who conducted a gender sensitivity seminar for the show’s cast and crew after the bountiful cleavage of dancer Charm went on full display during the show’s “Tutok to Win” segment, which also took place last April.

But after Willie’s announcement last May that the show’s days are numbered and will formally say goodbye this October, “Wowowillie” was devoid of controversy and ran smoothly, if uneventful, in its final months.

In his final speech, Willie thanked everyone who helped him in his career, from ABS-CBN executives Charo Santos-Concio, Cory Vidanes and Gabby Lopez who gave him his first break on “MTB” and “Wowowee” to TV5 COO Bobby Barreiro, former president CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa, president and current CEO Noel C. Lorenzana and Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

“Ngayon lang po ako umalis ng network na binigyan pa ako ng handa,” he quipped as he also revealed that MVP hosted a farewell dinner for him the night before his last show.

Reserving his most heartfelt gratitude to the masses who helped who brought him to where he is now, Willie promised that he and his team will soon return on the air.

“Pag natapos po ang mga usapan,” he assured without giving away any details. “Dito na po magsasara ang aming pinto, sa pagbukas po muli nito, sana ay tayo-tayo pa rin ang magkikita.”

source: interaksyon.com

Walking through WIl Tower Mall

Even though construction is still underway for the WIl Tower Mall, a 42 storey twin tower complex, the mall area opened its doors, welcoming guests to the first four levels of the commercial establishments of the Wil Tower Mall at the Eugenio Lopez Drive, Quezon City. Tower one, is set to turn over by 2014

The mall was formally launched in an exclusive party for VIPS last Sunday September 15. The opening was graced by Vista Land Chairman Manuel Villar, his wife Sen. Cynthia Villar, Imelda Marcos, Dra. Vicky Belo and daughter Cristalle Henares, Ogie Alcasid, and Randy Santiago, among others. The mall opened its door to the public a day after,

Currently only two stores are operational, the WBR Bar and Restaurant owned by Willie Revillame and Beyond the Box, a premium Apple reseller. According to the staff, the WBR Bar and restaurant takes off the menu  of another Revillame-owned diner, Wil’s Steak Town. Some of the house specialty includes the Oxtail Kare Kare (for Php450), pizzas, and steaks.

Other stores that will soon open are Bench, Fila, Bench Fix Salon, Fully Booked, Zapp Laser Skin Care, , Italianni’s, Krazy Garlik, Pho Hoa, My Thai, and Nail Spa. The condo brochure also promises a grocery store. According to our source, everything is set to open by the end of the year.

source: interaksyon.com

Ethel Booba rules out return to ‘Wowowillie’, reconciliation with Willie Revillame

Out of “Wowowillie” but certainly not off the air for long, controversial comedienne Ethel Booba leads the cast of TV5’s new reality competition series, “Boracay Bodies”.

The show will premiere on Saturday, April 6, at 9PM and takes over the reality show timeslot that once belonged to “Artista Academy”, “The Amazing Race Philippines” and, most recently, “Kanta Pilipinas”.

To be hosted by Phoemela Baranda, “Boracay Bodies” also features Wendy Valdez, Victor Silayan, Helga Krapf, Joross Gamboa, Luke Jickain, Brent Javier and the equally controversial Krista Miller as Ethel’s fellow competitors.

Not surprisingly, Ethel fielded the most number of questions from the media during the press conference on Tuesday night.

Dubbed in the show as “The Diva”, Ethel said she’s more than happy to be cast in “Boracay Bodies” where she will get a chance to be more herself and show more of her competitive spirit.

The questions, however, immediately shifted to her controversial departure from “Wowowillie” as Ethel was once again asked if she was willing to reconcile with Willie Revillame and come back to the noontime show.

“Kahit anong mangyari, mahal na mahal ko ‘yun,” she said in reference to Willie. “Sobra lang sigurong lalim ng friendship namin kaya siguro naging kampante kami sa isa’t isa. Pero wala na, hindi na. Malabo na kaming magkabati nun.”

Ethel confessed that she really wanted to quit pronto when Willie jokingly blamed her on the air for the two power failures that marred the premiere broadcast of “Wowowillie” last January 26.

“Sabi niya, ‘Malas ka talaga’. Nasaktan ako dun. Gusto ko siyang sapakin nun. Alam naman niya na madali akong mapikon at totoo, madalas akong na-o-offend sa mga biro niya,” she admitted. “Halos everyday, umiiyak ako.”

Ethel said she also got hurt when Willie said that he helped get her career back on track considering that it was she who also helped Willie when he was down. “Sabi niya, tinulungan niya akong makabalik. Look who’s talking. Para namang hindi ko din siya natulungan noon,” she said.





Be that as it may, Ethel said she was able to take all of that and reported to the show like a good soldier. “Sa lahat ng mga naging shows ko, sa kanya lang ako hindi na-late. Never na nangyari ‘yun nung nandun ako sa show niya,” she noted.

The last straw, however, came during that fateful day of February 28 when Willie publicly berated both Ethel and Ate Gay shortly after the two lost in a costume contest won by choreographer Anna Feliciano.

“Nagalit sila dahil hindi sila nanalo sa costume… Ang lalaki na ng ulo n’yo!.. If you want to resign right now, go! Hindi ko kayo pipigilan,” Willie said.

According to Ethel, that’s not what really happened. Contrary to what was earlier reported, she did not storm into Willie’s dressing room and raised her voice to vehemently complain about the contest.

“Hindi ko siya sinugod sa dressing room niya. Siya ‘yung nagpunta sa dressing room namin, wala pa nga siyang shirt nung pumasok siya. Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanya tungkol sa contest na ‘yun, eh kausapin niya si Ate Gay at umiiyak, nagtatampo sa result,” she recalled.

Ethel did complain to Willie about something else: a joke he earlier made about the skimpy costume she wore for the contest in which he was trying to bait her into saying something against Anne Curtis, one of the hosts of rival noontime show, “Showtime”.

“Sabi nya, ‘gusto mong gayahin si Anne Curtis, gusto mo ring magpakita ng singit’ so nasabi ko, ‘We’re talking about talent, not singit’. Tapos nun, pinutakte na ko sa text at Twitter ng mga fans ni Anne, nagagalit na sa kin,” she revealed.

“Nung sinabi ko sa kanya ‘yun, sabi niya sa ‘kin, ‘Sige wag kang mag-alala, akong bahala, ipagtatanggol kita’. Akala ko, totoong kaibigan ko siya.”

To her surprise, Willie said something else on the air going as far as questioning their sense of gratitude and reminding them who’s the boss: “Mag-isip kayo dahil ako ang nagpapasuweldo sa inyo!” he blurted out.

“Nung sinabi niya yung salitang ‘kayo’, pati ako nadamay na so nasaktan ako dun. Nakita at alam ni Ate Gay at ng mga PA (production assistants) ang totoong nangyari dun,” Ethel further pointed out.

The bottom line, according to the outspoken comedienne, is this: “Babae ako, lalaki siya,” suggesting that he should have treated her with more respect than what she had to endure during the short time she was on “Wowowillie”.

Even though the jokes were made in the spirit of fun, Ethel apparently was not very pleased that it often came at her expense.

As for Ate Gay telling a different story in his own interviews and eventually coming back to the show, Ethel said she understood where the gay comedian is coming from.

“Sabi ni Ate Gay, ‘Ikaw naman kahit hindi magtrabaho okay lang, ako kailangan ko ito’. Naintindihan ko yun, kung may Allan K ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ at may Vice Ganda naman sa ‘Showtime’, gusto din naman niyang magkaroon ng ganoong following, so siya naman sa show ni Willie,” she said.

Since she left the show, Ethel admitted that she continues to receive feelers from Willie’s camp about reconciling their differences and even possibly returning to the show.

“Mga mga text from people na malalapit sa kanya. Hindi naman ite-text ‘yun kung walang approval niya so I think alam kong alam niya ‘yun,” she surmised.

Still, she had already made up her mind about not returning and, at least for now, not reconciling with Willie. But after all is said and done, Ethel said she continues to consider Willie a dear friend.

“Kaya ko lang naman nasasabi ang mga bagay na ito ngayon at sa mga tweets ko kasi nga, may pinaghuhugutan. Masyadong malalim ang friendship namin. Siguro, masyado lang siyang na-spoiled kaya naging ganun siya,” she concluded.

source: interaksyon.com

After only a month, Ethel Booba out as ‘Wowowillie’ co-host?

Ethel Booba and Ate Gay were conspicuously absent on “Wowowillie” on Friday, prompting speculation that the two had been axed from the one-month-old show following a row with main host and co-producer Willie Revillame.

During Thursday’s program, Willie reported that he had castigated Ethel and Ate Gay in the dressing room for being “unprofessional”. He said the two comedians had vehemently complained to him after they lost to choreographer Anna Feliciano in the show’s “Mini-Concierto” segment.

“Nagalit sila dahil hindi sila nanalo sa costume… Ang lalaki na ng ulo n’yo!.. If you want to resign right now, go! Hindi ko kayo pipigilan,” Willie said.

He questioned their sense of gratitude and reminded them that he was their boss: “Mag-isip kayo dahil ako ang nagpapasuweldo sa inyo!”

He was particularly angry at Ethel whom, he said, he had hired despite the misgivings of many.

On Friday Ethel’s Twiter account was bombarded with questions about her fate as a co-host on “Wowowillie”.

She poked fun at a couple of queries, which mistakenly referred to the show with  the names of Willie’s defunct programs, “Wowowee” and “Wiltime Big Time”.

source: interaksyon.com

Willie Revillame says new show has blessings of Joey de Leon, Sharon Cuneta

A mellow and relaxed Willie Revillame told media on Wednesday that “Wowowillie” has the blessings of Joey de Leon and Sharon Cuneta — two colleagues who might have something to say about his new variety show on TV5, set to debut on Saturday.

Joey, of course, is one of the pillars of “Eat Bulaga”, Philippine television’s noontime champ for over three decades, with whom Willie famously feuded in 2007 when he was still hosting “Wowowee” on ABS-CBN.


The two have since mended and enriched their friendship, so Joey’s sentiment was one of Willie’s first concerns when TV5 president and CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa first broached the idea of a return to the noontime slot (11:30AM to 2:30PM).

“Nasabi ko naman ‘yun kina Atty. Ray. Ayoko kasi na may masabi rin sa akin sina Joey. Yes, there was a time, nabanggit ko nga, hangga’t maaari hindi kami magsasalubong sa same time slot,” Willie told media at a press conference on Wednesday at his nightclub Wil’s Events Place.

Willie decided he needed to reach out to Joey. He spoke to him two weeks ago shortly after “Wil Time Bigtime” — his second TV5 show in the early evening slot — went off the air.

“I called him up. Out of respeto. Sabi ko sa kanya, I have to tell you, magkakaroon ako ng noontime show. And you know naman Joey, he’s very gentlemanly in every way. Okay naman sa kanya,” he related.

Willie said Joey — who is also a Kapatid because he co-hosts TV5′s Sunday noontime variety show “Game ‘N Go” — even quipped that they’re too old for petty rivalries and, who knows, they might even end up together in one show someday.

Willie had also been exchanging text messages with Sharon, whose talk show “Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid” was terminated recently, paving the way for “Wowowillie” to take over its venue — TV5′s Delta Theater studio on Quezon Avenue.

“Magka-text kami ni Shawie. Wala pa siya ngayon dito, nasa Amerika pa ‘ata pero dapat kasama siya sa almost a hundred stars na guests sa Saturday. Kami, walang sama ng loob sa isa’t isa,” he said.

Willie noted that Sharon’s current negotiations for her own new program are a private matter between her and the TV5 bosses: “Sila ng TV5 ang nag-uusap. Kaya, hindi ko sila puwede panghimasukan.”

Ever since he transferred to TV5 in 2010 and hosted “Willing Willie”, he always found the remote location of its studio in Novaliches to be a liability.

“Ang mga matatanda o senior citizens nagbi-biyahe pa ng malayo para lang makapanood ng programa. Jeep-jeep, truck-truck nandiyan sila sa gilid ng studio, dun pa sa TV5. Nagpa-park sila sa SM Novaliches. Nakikita namin ang efforts nila,” he shared.

Needless to say, he is very excited about planting his roots on fresh ground. Willie said TV5 spent over P100 million and his own production company chipped in P35 million to expand and refurbish the theater. The result, he believes, should give the “Wowowillie” studio audience the illusion of being in a Las Vegas theater.

Willie said it was not his but TV5′s idea to return to noontime and go up against “Eat Bulaga” and “It’s Showtime”.

“Wala naman sa isip ko ang noontime. Kasi by October tapos na dapat ang kontrata ko. And now, they are asking me kung gusto ko pa itong ituloy ng three to five years. Saka ko na muna iisipin ‘yun dahil ang focus ko eh, nandito ngayon sa big day namin sa Sabado.”

That big day also happens to be his 52nd birthday. As he turns a year older and begins another chapter in his career, he does not feel the pressure of competition this time around.

“Kung sasabihin na pressured ako, wala. Sa akin, there is no competition right now. More on nakatutok ako sa content ng show. Hindi sa numbers game. Kailangan ko munang palakihin ang show, pagandahin at pasayahin ang mga taong manonood nito,” he said.

Willie vowed to give away more meaningful prizes to contestants, the kind that would have a lasting impact on their livelihoods. He also revealed his plan to provide houses to his own staff, many of whom placed their fortunes on his hands when they joined him when he left ABS-CBN for TV5.

And finally, he expressed his hope that “Wowowillie” would further boost TV5′s ascendant status in the ratings game, if only to make the network bosses, especially TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, happy.

“Siyempre, gusto nating matulungan din ang istasyon. Kasi dito naramdaman ko ‘yung pagmamahal. Imagine, big boss tine-text ka, kinukumusta ka, tinatapik ka sa balikat for a job well done. Very inspiring na amo. At sasabihan ka ni MVP ng ‘Your pain is our pain, your fight is our fight.’”

source: interaksyon.com

Willie donates P1M to NGO, says he harbors no bitterness against anyone

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

Willie Revillame, ikinuwento ang surprise visit niya kay Joey de Leon sa Startalk

Masayang ikinuwento ng television host na si Willie Revillame ang pagpunta niya sa bakuran ng GMA 7 para personal na batiin at ibigay ang regalo niya kay Joey de Leon na nagdiwang ng kaarawan sa showbiz talk show na Startalk TX nitong Sabado.

Sa artikulong isinulat ni Jojo Gabinete na lumabas sa Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), sinabing ikinuwento ni Willie sa kanyang programang Wil Time Bigtime sa TV5 nitong Sabado ng gabi ang masaya niyang karanasan sa pagbisita sa Startalk.

Pinalakpakan at pinuri rin ni Willie ang kabaitan at mainit na pagtanggap sa kanya ng mga empleyado sa Kapuso station. (Basahin: Joey de Leon, sinurpresa ni Willie Revillame sa bakuran ng GMA-7)

Dahil hindi dapat malaman ni Joey na darating siya, sinabi ni Willie na itinago siya sa control booth. Habang nagtatago, panay umano ang pagkuha nila ng litrato ng mga empleyado at staff ng Startalk.

“Palakpakan natin ang staff ng GMA, walang competition, walang personalan," ayon kay Willie. “Yung mga technical nila, yung mga director, yung mga writers. At pagpasok ko sa studio ng Startalk, nagulat… parang hindi makapaniwala na ako, e, nandoon sa GMA."

Ayon pa kay Willie, nagpaalam siya sa mga boss niya sa TV5 bago magpunta sa bakuran ng GMA-7 at pinayagan naman siya.

“GMA-7, salamat po! Atty. Ray Espinosa, Boss Bobby [Barreiro], salamat pinayagan ninyo ako. Siyempre, magpapaalam ka muna sa mga boss mo," kwento pa ni Willie.

Una rito, sinabi ni Joey na pambihirang pagkakataon ang papunta ni Willie sa show na tinawag niyang kaibigan at little brother. - FRJ, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Wil Time Bigtime turns 2

MANILA, Philippines - TV5’s Wil Time Bigtime continues to give back to its loyal viewers two years after its host Willie Revillame began his top-rating reality-game show last October 2010.

The show recently added another lucky contestant to its list of mega jackpot winners. Zyra del Rosario, a finalist of Eat, Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines back in 2000, emerged the winner of no less than P3.5 million worth of prizes recently. She became the show’s fourth winner of P1M, Camella house and lot and Foton van.

Meanwhile, for its anniversary month, Wil Time Bigtime launched the Two-Tok SMS promo where cash and house-and-lot packages will be given away. Felix Cañoneo Jr. of Bohol was the first to win a Camella house and lot in last week’s draw. Three more houses and lots are still up for grabs in the next three weeks.

To register in the SMS promo, text WILREG <full name/age/complete address> to 5656 (example: WILREG Juan Dela Cruz/26 /81 Ojeda St., Quezon City). Upon registration, viewers can start sending as many anniversary greetings for Wil Time Bigtime. Text WIL<anniversary greeting> and send to 5655 (example: WIL <Happy anniversary Kuya Willie!>. One anniversary greeting is equivalent to one entry. The more entries sent, the more chances of winning.

Three promo subscribers will win P20,000 cash and P300 load prize daily, while one lucky subscriber will win a house and lot every week. A Foton van will also be given away every weekend for the entire month.

Stay tuned to Wil Time Bigtime Mondays to Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 5 p.m.

source: philstar.com

Court releases Willie Revillame’s P426-M bond over ‘Wowowee’ case

A Quezon City court has released the P426 million surety bond posted by TV5 host Willie Revillame in connection with a 2010 civil case he filed against his former employer ABS-CBN.

Judge Alexander Balut of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 76 found the bond unnecessary and allowed its discharge.

Revillame posted the bond following an October 2010 resolution issued by then Branch 84 Judge Luisito Cortez for him to post P426,917,646.96 to answer for any damages that ABS-CBN may suffer while he was hosting a new show on TV5.

This was after he filed an P11-million damage suit against the network where he used to host the noontime show “Wowowee” and asked the court to make a judicial confirmation of the end of his contract.

ABS-CBN answered with a P426-million counter-claim and alleged that Revillame had reneged on his contract, which was set to expire in 2011.

In a six-page order, the court dismissed ABS-CBN’s application for preliminary injunction.

ABS-CBN also tried but failed to get a temporary restraining order against Revillame’s hosting of TV5′s “Willing Willie” show under Cortez’s court.

Last year, Revillame reformatted “Willing Willie” and changed its name to “Wil Time Bigtime”.

Balut also suspended the proceedings pending finality of a Court of Appeal’s decision of the case between TV5 versus ABS-CBN and Makati City RTC Branch 66 judge Joselito Villarosa.

InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5.

source: interaksyon.com

Willie Wins

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has denied a motion to reconsider its 2011 decision that dismissed the P127-million copyright infringement case filed by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. against television host Willie Revillame and TV 5.

In a resolution written by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, the CA said that ABS-CBN “failed to raise valid justification to warrant a modification or reversal of the pronouncements made in the assailed decision.” With its ruling, the CA made permanent the writ of preliminary injunction it had earlier issued that banned the proceedings before the Makati City regional trial court (RTC) in connection with the case. (Rey G. Panaligan)

source: mb.com.ph