Willie is back on Wowowee

Author: Angela Casauay
Column: Manila, Entertainment

AFTER more than one month of absence, Wowowee main man Willie Revillame is back for good.

"Nitong Lunes hanggang kamatayan," Willie proclaimed, indirectly dispelling earlier rumors that he would resign from the show.

A grand opening number welcomed Willie's return.

Four groups of dancers, clad in ethnic wear, flamboyant costumes, Indian-inspired clothes, and red and white ensemble plus performers tapping on drums comprised the opening number.

Willie entered the Wowowee set while a dramatic song played on the background.

He took his time going to his audience, who hugged and kissed him nonstop.

After that, a video collage of the host's shows abroad while he was on a "self-imposed" leave was shown.

"My heart was bleeding during all the times I wasn't here," said Willie, who was wearing a red long sleeved shirt and then changed into a red polo.

"May isa lang ako payo. Bawal na ang mainit ang ulo! (I only have one advice. Being hot-headed is prohibited!)" he proclaimed.

Celebrity guests including Vicky Belo, Crystalle Henares, and talent manager Keren Pascual danced and shrieked in delight with the audience who was donning masks with Willie's face on them and flags with the word "Wowowee."

Ben Chan, owner of the Bench clothing and lifestyle store, sponsored the shirts with the words "Wil love you" that was worn by the audience.

"It's Wowowee time," Willie was able to say again to a shower of confetti.

"Buhay ang saya at buhay ang pag-asa. ABS, tunay na Kapamilya ka," he added, before breaking out into the Wowowee theme song.

Contestants in popular segment "Willie of Fortune" seemed to be extra hyper that day, with one contestant going on a greeting spiel for more than 15 minutes.

Co-hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Pokwang, and resident dancer Saicy Aguila all said they missed Willie and welcomed him with a hug.

Willie was on leave for almost two months month following an emotional outburst that happened when he expressed disapproval on the showing of an insert video of the late former President Cory Aquino's cortege side by side with dancers during the opening number.

The incident did not sit well with the viewers. It sparked an online petition calling for Willie's resignation. It also prompted the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to file a case against the host.

But MTRCB and ABS-CBN arrived at a settlement extending Willie's leave until September 20, 2009.

Source: Sunstar Daily