‘Wowowee’ raises funds for victims

In the aftermath of the stampede last Saturday that left more than 70 people crushed to death at the Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) in Pasig City on the first anniversary of a popular game show, ABS-CBN management turned "Wowowee" into a public service program to raise money for survivors and families of the victims.

The regular time slot for "Wowowee" — 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays — gave way to the "Alay sa Kapamilya" while the network management makes a day-to-day observation and evaluation of how things develop after the tragic incident.

In the meantime, Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN vice president for entertainment, disclosed that the show will be hosted by other network talents on a voluntary basis.

"Wowowee" noontime show Willie Revillame, however, did not show up but fellow ABS-CBN hosts Boy Abunda and Toni Gonzaga took over as emcees for now "until further notice." Revillame went on leave starting yesterday, saying he would like to use his time away from the show to visit families of the 74 people killed during the stampede at the Philsports stadium where the "Wowowee" show was to have its first anniversary remote broadcast.

Santos-Concio said Revillame offered to "resign" but she prevailed upon him to think things over, citing the incident was not his fault. The network allowed Revillame to go on "indefinite leave" until he decides to return to work.

Revillame said he is still unsure whether he will return to his hosting duties after the tragedy.

"Hindi ko na kayang lumabas muna diyan sa studio kasi nagkaroon ng Mass kahapon sa studio, parang nagpa-flashback sa akin ‘yung palakpakan, sigawan. Parang hindi ko matiis (I can’t go to the studio anymore. There was a Mass there and I had flashbacks of the shouts and applause. I couldn’t take it)," an emotional Revillame said.

At least 30,000 people showed up to watch the first anniversary celebration of "Wowowee" last Saturday but this was subsequently postponed. A tearful Revillame announced the show’s cancellation that day with the help of Vice President Noli de Castro and Santos.

The "Wowowee" host thanked yesterday the people who offered to help victims of the stampede. He said SMART Communications donated P1 million in cash, mobile phones and P10,000 worth of e-load for families of the victims.

"They can sell (the e-load) to start off their businesses," he said, adding that he donated his entire salary to the victims but did not say how much his salary is.

Also yesterday, former President Joseph Estrada called up The STAR to announce that his Erap Para sa Mahihirap Foundation would raise P2 million in donations for the victims and survivors of the Ultra stampede which he will turn over to the ABS-CBN management for disposition.

"The list (of victims and survivors) is with them (at ABS-CBN)," he said.

Estrada described as "shocking" the Ultra stampede that occurred while he was recuperating at the San Juan Medical Center from a successful eye operation he had last week.

"Nakaka-awa naman ang mga tao. That goes to show the hardship of what our people suffering from poverty will even die for," Estrada lamented.

In a meeting yesterday of top network executives, the management decided to resume regular programming of "Wowowee" next week with certain changes in the format of the show. Revillame will resume his hosting of the show next week.

Initially, the network plans to issue "advance" tickets that will allow audience members to enter the studio on Mother Ignacia street in Quezon City to reduce the long queues throughout the week. Contestants on the game show can win as much as P1 million in cash and other pot prizes such as passenger jeepneys and tricycles in line with the show’s promotion of livelihood assistance.

The ABS-CBN studio itself can accommodate 2,000 people but as many as 5,000 people line up from Mondays to Saturdays to get inside and join the game show.

Revillame also asked critics yesterday to help the victims rather than blame the network or the government for the tragedy.

"I hope that we don’t start finger-pointing and finding blame. Poverty has always been around even under previous presidents. This is the time for helping one another," he urged. — With Marichu Villanueva