MANILA, Philippines- "Ito na ang huling araw natin na magkasama!"
This was Willie Revillame's farewell message to the thousands of people watching Wowowillie for the last time both in the studio and in their homes.
Willie moved to TV5 in 2010 after he had issues with the management of ABS-CBN. His show aired in the Kapatid network for three years.
“Ilang minuto na lang po, hindi muna tayo magkikita-kita,†he started. “Marami kaming pinagdaanan bago po mabuo ang programang Willing Willie, Wowowillie, Wil Time Big Time.
“October 23 (2010) po nagsimula ang isang programa—nagmula sa tanghalian, naging gabihan. Alam n’yo nine years n’yo na akong kasama sa pananghalian, naging sa gabihan, bumalik sa tanghalian," Willie said.
He said that during the airing of the gameshow, all he wanted was to give the people hope.
After a short speech, the staff of the show reminisced how everything started since they moved in TV5.
An video showing the evolution of the game show from Willing Willie to Wil Time Bigtime and to Wowowillie.
After the presentation, Willie performed live some of his singles like “Ikaw na Nga†and “I Love You,†which made everyone in the studio emotional.
Then he called onstage all the hosts, dancers, and staff of “Wowowillie.†This time he shared his sentiments about being a host.
“Hindi po biro ang mag-show araw-araw kahit wala ka sa mood, may sakit ka, kailangan mong ngumiti. May namatay, may sakit ang anak mo, may sakit ang pamilya, may sakit ang staff mo, hindi po biro sa amin ‘yon dito sa Wowowillie.
“Kailangan paglabas namin sumisigaw ka, nakangiti ka kahit nagdurugo ang puso mo. ‘Yan po ang aming obligasyon, ‘yan po ang aming kaligayahan—ang magbigay kasiyahan sa inyong lahat.â€
He alsop thanked everyone, starting with TV5’s former and current executives: Manny V. Pangilinan, Noel Lorenzana, Rey Espinosa who he said convinced him to be a TV5 talent.
He also thanked the people working behind and in front of the camera for “Wowowillie,†and even mentioned its former hosts Ethel Booba and Ate Gay, whom he once had a rift.
“Ako po ‘yong taong hindi nagtatanim ng galit kahit kanino. Ako po ‘yong taong wala sa akin ‘yong hatred, bitterness, wala po sa akin ‘yon,†he added.
Willie, meamwhile, did not mention why Wowowillie is going off air despite its good ratings.
“Mawawala po kami dahil sa aming paningin, e, masyadong mahal kami, pero hindi po totoo ‘yon—mahal namin kayo, ‘yon po ang importante,†he sad.
Willie also hinted that the game show may still air in the future again, although he jokingly said he has yet to get offers.
“Kapag may kumausap, pag-iisipan," he said.