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Willie Revillame

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Buendia and the surname or paternal family name is Revillame.

Willie Revillame
Born
Wilfredo Buendia Revillame

(1961-01-27) January 27, 1961 (age 63)
Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Other names
  • Wil
  • Kuya Wil
  • Papi
Occupations
  • TV host
  • comedian
  • singer
  • actor
  • businessman
Years active1987–present
Notable work
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1990; ann. 1997)​
  • Liz Almoro
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2005; ann. 2008)​
Children4, including Meryll Soriano
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • drums
Labels

Wilfredo "Willie" Buendia Revillame (Tagalog: [wɪlˌpɾɛː.do bwɛnˌdiː.ɐ ɾɛˌbiːl.jɐˈmɛ]; born January 27, 1961),[1] is a Filipino television host, comedian, drummer, singer, songwriter, actor, and businessman. He has hosted numerous variety shows including Magandang Tanghali Bayan, Wowowee, Wil Time Bigtime, and Wowowin. He has signed contracts with four Philippine television networks including ABS-CBN, GMA Network, TV5, and ALLTV. Revillame returned to TV5 in 2024, signing a new co-production deal with MediaQuest after leaving ALLTV the year prior.

Career

[edit]

Revillame started out as the host of GMA Network's noontime variety program Lunch Date in the late 1980s together with Randy Santiago. In 1995–1997, Revillame sang the theme song of the TV drama series Villa Quintana as a duet with Rockstar 2. He later began to appear on different movies, playing sidekick to big-named stars.

In 1998, he started co-hosting the ABS-CBN noontime show 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. After the show was cancelled to make way for his big break in Magandang Tanghali Bayan, he also started appearing in Richard Loves Lucy. Other shows he hosted within the network were Willingly Yours, Masayang Tanghali Bayan and Wowowee, as well as TV5 variety programs like Willing Willie, Wil Time Bigtime and Wowowillie.

On March 20, 2015, Revillame marked his homecoming in GMA Network (his original home network), his long-awaited return to Philippine showbiz and to Philippine television via his newest weekly-variety program Wowowin, airing on GMA Network every Sunday afternoon since May 10, 2015 until it became a weekday-variety program on February 1, 2016, due to the huge popularity of the show. On February 5, 2022, GMA Network announced that Revillame's contract with the network will end on February 15, 2022. His program, Wowowin aired its final broadcast on February 11, 2022, until its resumption on ALLTV on September 13.[2][3][4] It ended its run on ALLTV on April 5, 2023, when he has reached an agreement with the network to terminate his contract.[5]

On April 26, 2024, Revillame signed with TV5 Network Inc. and MediaQuest Holdings to return to TV5 after 11 years.[6]

Business ventures

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Revillame is known for developing the Wil Tower, a condominium building in front of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City, with his business partner, former Senate President Manny Villar. It held its grand opening on September 15, 2013.[7] Revillame is also a former owner of the restaurants W Bar and Wil Steak Town at Wil Events Place located near Wil Tower Mall and ABS-CBN along Sgt. Esguerra Avenue in South Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City. Wil Tower Mall was developed by the real estate firm Vista Land, but Revillame's holdings were later sold to Villar.

Revillame was interviewed for the April 2015 episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho at his own rest house in Tagaytay after the signing of contract with GMA Network. During the interview, GMA broadcast journalist Jessica Soho said that Revillame is planning to build a 5-star resort-hotel located within the 5-hectare (12-acre) lot that he acquired from the Madrigal family. His own rest house is also located within the same lot.

Following the acquisition of Advanced Media Broadcasting System by the Villar family, Villar tapped Revillame to invest in the company's plans on broadcast ventures.[8]

Personal life

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Revillame was first married to actress Princess Punzalan.[9][10] In March 2005, he married Liz Almoro in a civil ceremony at Lipa, Batangas, officiated by then-Mayor Vilma Santos. This was followed by a church wedding in June 2005. Their marriage was annulled in 2008.

Revillame has four children, including actress Meryll Soriano.[11]

Controversies

[edit]

PhilSports Stadium stampede

[edit]

On February 4, 2006, while Revillame was hosting Wowowee, the PhilSports Stadium stampede occurred.

On August 25, 2007, the Department of Justice dismissed criminal charges against Revillame in connection with the stampede. However, Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez affirmed the charge against 14 others, including ABS-CBN officials.[12]

Cory Aquino live funeral coverage controversy

[edit]

In the August 3, 2009 episode of Wowowee, during which the live coverage of the transfer of former President Corazon Aquino's remains from La Salle Green Hills to the Manila Cathedral as part of her funeral was shown, Revillame said that he could not make people happy while the entire country was mourning. The Alliance of Filipino Journalists denounced his remarks as a sign of disrespect towards Aquino. Revillame said he had no intention of defaming the former president and her family.[13] ABS-CBN senior executive Cory Vidanes said that the network supported Revillame's action, stating that his outburst did not run afoul of the Broadcast Code of the Philippines.[14] Network entertainment official Johnny Manahan said Revillame was correct in saying that the footage should not have been inserted, but the way he said it was wrong.[15]

Jobert Sucaldito controversy

[edit]

On May 4, 2010, Revillame went into another on-air tirade on his now-defunct noontime show Wowowee, this time directing his anger at entertainment columnist and DZMM Radio host Jobert Sucaldito. Without mentioning him by name, he said he had enough of Sucaldito's alleged criticisms against the show having high-school contestants whose grades were below the passing mark for the Willie of Fortune segment and also ridiculing them on-screen. He threatened to resign from the show unless the ABS-CBN management dismissed Sucaldito, who described Revillame's rant as being "pikon" (Tagalog slang meaning 'short-tempered').[16] He went on an indefinite leave three weeks later after the network declined his resignation letter.[17]

[edit]

In a press conference on August 9, 2010, Revillame announced that he was ending his contract with ABS-CBN, even if it is supposed to expire in September 2011. He also accused ABS-CBN of violating several provisions in his contract. He narrated that his decision came out of meetings between ABS-CBN production head Linggit Tan and network president Charo Santos-Concio regarding a return to the show on July 31. However, on July 20, Tan said the management will replace Wowowee with a new show on July 31 and also offered him a one-hour weekly show. She added negative feedback still prevailed among network employees about him going to work again. Despite the move, the network stated that Revillame's Wowowee tirade only highlighted his arrogance and stressed that the contract is still in effect.[18]

Child abuse case

[edit]

On March 12, 2011, a "macho dance" by an apparently unhappy six-year-old boy while the Dr. Dre song "The Next Episode" is being played on the background on Revillame's primetime show, Willing Willie resulted in criticism, including the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development describing it as a case of child abuse. Revillame "sincerely and deeply" apologized for the segment, “which viewers may have found offensive or in bad taste.”[19][20][21][22] The Commission on Human Rights pursued an investigation of the program for violating the law.[23] In October 2015, the Court of Appeals allowed the arrest and prosecution of Revillame over the case.[24] Atty. Nards de Vera, lawyer of Revillame, clarified in a GMA News article that Revillame has already posted the bail for the two cases in September 2013, and does not need the warrant of arrest served against his client.[25] On April 11, 2016, the 3rd division of the Court of Appeal (CA) had affirmed the Regional Trial Court Quezon City Judge Roberto Buenaventura Decision. The CA said that Judge Buenaventura hadn't committed no grave abuse of discretion. In the CA's Decision, written by Justice Maria Luisa Quijano-Padilla, on the arrest and to bring to trial Willie Revillame, they said, “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.”[26]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Character/Role
1988 Bobo Cop
1990 Joe Pring 2: Kidlat ng Maynila
1991 Barbi for President
Sam & Miguel (Your Basura, No Problema) Angelo
Joey Boy Munti, 15 Anyos Ka sa Muntilupa
Sagad Hanggang Buto
Contreras Gang
1992 Pat. Omar Abdullah: Pulis Probinsiya
Mukhang Bungo: Da Coconut Nut Danding Mitra
1993 Ako
1994 Abrakadabra
The Eddie Fernandez Story
Hector
1995 Omar Abdullah: Pulis Probinsya 2, Tapusin Na Natin ang Laban
Ikaw Pa Eh Love Kita!
Sa Kamay ng Batas
1996 Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin
Masamang Damo
1997 Go Johnny Go
Bobby Barbers, Parak
1998 Kasangga Kahit Kailan Muerte
Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang Probinsyanong Wais Boy Tigas
2000 Matalino Man ang Matsing Na-iisahan Din! Mando
Pera o Bayong (Not da TV) Bartolome
2009 Nobody, Nobody But... Juan Himself
Engkwento

Television

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Year Title Role Network
1987–1989 Loveliness ABS-CBN/IBC
1987–1993 Lunch Date Himself/Host GMA Network
1988 Ayos Lang Tsong! IBC
Dance Tonight
1989 Regal Family
Pabuenas sa Siyete GMA Network
1990 Barangay USA PTV
1991 Young Love, Sweet Love RPN
Lovingly Yours, Helen GMA Network
1992 GMA Telesine Specials
1993–1994 Kate en Boogie
1993 Love Notes TV5
Four da Boys IBC
1994 Barangay U.S.: Unang Sigaw RPN
Actually 'Yun Na!
1994–1995 Haybol Rambol GMA Network
1995 Tondominium TV5
1995–1997 Villa Quintana GMA Network
1997 Gillage People
1997-1998 'Sang Linggo nAPo Sila Himself/Host ABS-CBN
1998-1999 TGIS GMA Network
1999-2004 Click GMA Network
1998–2001 Richard Loves Lucy ABS-CBN
Magandang Tanghali Bayan Himself/Host
1998–2010 ASAP Himself/Guest
1999–2000 Labs Ko Si Babe Brgy. Capt. Jonathan Royales
2002–2003 Willingly Yours Himself/Host
2002-2003 Kahit Kailan
2003 Masayang Tanghali Bayan
2004 Puso o Pera TV5
2005 Pinoy Big Brother Himself/Host ABS-CBN
Mga Anghel na Walang Langit Himself/Wowowee Host
2005–2010 Wowowee Himself/Host
2010–2013 Willing Willie/Wil Time Bigtime TV5
Wowowillie
2015–2023 Wowowin GMA Network (2015–2022)
All TV (2022–2023)
2015 CelebriTV Himself/Guest GMA Network
2016 Pepito Manaloto Himself/Wowowin Host
2018 Inday Will Always Love You
2024 Wil To Win Himself/Host TV5

Awards

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  • Best Male TV Host (2005 and 2007) - Won
  • Consumers Award Outstanding Variety Show (2008) - Won
  • Consumers Award Outstanding Male TV Host (2008) - Won
  • Novelty Singer of the Year (2010) - Won[27]
  • 2011 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Variety Show (as Willing Willie)
  • Celebrity Inductee, Eastwood City Walk Of Fame Philippines 2014- Won
  • 2015 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (Wowowin of GMA-7)
  • 2015 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Male Game Show Host
  • 2016 - Inding-Indie Short Film Festival - Best Public Service TV Personality
  • 2016 - Inding Indie Short Film Festival - Best Public Service TV Program of the Decade (Wowowin of GMA-7)
  • 2016 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (Wowowin of GMA-7)
  • 2016 - Illumine Awards for Television (Global City Innovative College) - Most Innovative Game Show (Wowowin of GMA-7)
  • 2017 - NwSSU Students Choice Awards for Radio and Television (Northwest Samar State University) - Best Game Show (Wowowin of GMA-7)
Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
2008 Awit Awards Best Novelty Recording "Sayaw Darling" Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ALAMIN: Paano sumali sa birthday text promo ni Willie Revillame". GMA News. January 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "'Wowowin' ends GMA Network run on February 11". RAPPLER. February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Pasajol, Anne (February 6, 2022). "Willie Revillame leaves GMA as contract ends". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  4. ^ GMA Network statement on Mr. Willie Revillame contract | 24 Oras - Feb. 5, 2022, February 5, 2022, retrieved February 8, 2022
  5. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (April 4, 2023). "Willie Revillame reaches agreement to terminate contract with AMBS". PEP (in Filipino). Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Pasajol, Anne (April 26, 2024). "Willie Revillame returns to TV5, announces partnership with Media Quest". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Trina Lagura. "Willie's mall soon to rise in QC". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  8. ^ Plaza, Marane (February 7, 2022). "GMA confirms Willie Revillame's departure; Willie spotted with Manny V". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Willie Revillame Opens Up About the Women in His Life". Abs-cbn.com. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  10. ^ "PEP: Princess Punzalan is happy for ex-husband Willie Revillame's success". GMA News. GMA Network. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  11. ^ "Willie longs for time with his four children". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "GMA NEWS.TV, DOJ drops raps vs Revillame over Ultra tragedy". GMA News. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  13. ^ "Criticisms mount against Wowowee host Willie Revillame - PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on May 15, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "ABS-CBN backs Willie Revillame; says Wowowee host did not violate Broadcast Code of the Philippines". Philippine Entertainment Portal. August 17, 2009.
  15. ^ "Bebe Gandanghari meets Jessica Soho, March 7". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  16. ^ "Willie Revillame threatens to resign from TV?s Wowowee - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". showbizandstyle.inquirer.net. Archived from the original on May 9, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "Willie Revillame takes 'indefinite break' from 'Wowowee'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  18. ^ "Willie Revillame rescinds contract with ABS-CBN | Manila Bulletin". www.mb.com.ph. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "Global News - Breaking International News and Headlines | Inquirer.net". Archived from the original on August 7, 2011.
  20. ^ Jojo Malig. "Boy abused in 'Willing Willie,' DSWD says". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  21. ^ "DSWD calls for censure of Willie for boy 'macho dancer;' Willie says sorry". GMA News. GMA Network.
  22. ^ "Revillame's 'hit' on a minor causes stir in cyberspace | the Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online". www.mb.com.ph. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  23. ^ "CHR to investigate 'Willing Willie' incident". ABS-CBN News.
  24. ^ Torres-Tupas, Tetch (October 18, 2015). "Willie Revillame ordered arrested over child abuse case". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  25. ^ "Lawyer on CA order: No need to arrest Willie, he already posted bail". GMA News. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  26. ^ "Court denies Revillame plea in abuse case". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  27. ^ "ABS-CBN big winner at GMMSF Entertainment Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
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