How will John and Willie spend ‘forced vacation’?

The first time it happened more than two years ago, all three hosts of the ABS-CBN noontime show then known as Magandang Tanghali, Bayan (MTB) – namely, Randy Santiago, John Estrada and Willie Revillame – were suspended for cracking sex-oriented jokes and, well, conduct unbecoming of a prime daytime show which is expected to be clean and wholesome. MTB was temporarily replaced with a show called Esep-Esep, the phrase former MTB co-host Amy Perez used to prod contestants in the show’s popular segment, Pera O Bayong, to move faster. Not long after the return of MTB, Willie was dropped from the show, only to be recalled two years later.

Starting Monday, June l6, followers of MTB (now called Masayang Tanghali, Bayan) will be missing John and Willie who have been slapped with another week-long suspension that surprisingly spared Randy. John’s offense was to utter a word that referred to "self gratification" while Willie (who denied it) reportedly tried to touch the cleavage of diminutive comedienne Mahal.

Here’s the official statement from ABS-CBN:

In line with the commitment of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation to the principles of self-regulation and policing of the television industry by its own members, ABS-CBN has taken the initiative to act on instances within the program Masayang Tanghali, Bayan where some of the hosts have used inappropriate language or conduct, despite constant and repeated warnings for them to be conscious of the sensibilities of the viewers.

ABS-CBN, upon its own review, has found sufficient cause to exercise its remedies under its own agreements with some of the hosts. Effective June l6 until 21, 2003, ABS-CBN shall suspend its agreements with Messrs. John Estrada and Willie Revillame as hosts of the program. In addition, ABS-CBN shall continue undertaking measures within the program to ensure that the hosts will observe the guidelines of conduct governing talents.

ABS-CBN remains vigilant and shall act swiftly on matters affecting the interest not only of the network but, more importantly, of the viewing public as well.

The suspension of John and Willie should serve as a warning/reminder to other TV hosts similarly "guilty" of polluting the airwaves with double-entendre jokes and "green" language fit only for drinking buddies in the street corner.

While John and Willie are away, being eyed to take over as MTB co-hosts are Edu Manzano (who’s now a permanent TV fixture), Long Mejia and Dagul (the dwarf). With Mahal and the equally "petite" Mura (who’s actually a man dressed as a woman), the twins Boom Boom and Jaja, and now Dagul, it won’t be long before MTB degenerates into a freak show, a veritable karnabal.

Now, have you ever wondered how John and Willie will spend their "forced" but very welcome vacation?

Yes, John will have a rendezvous with his beloved Vanessa del Bianco several miles south of Manila while Willie will fly to Las Vegas tonight to shoot episodes with Filipino migrants for his other ABS-CBN show, Willingly Yours. – RICKY LO