WILLIE REVILLAME
Selfless Giving
For almost 15 years, Willie Revillame has been a household name among Pinoys because of his game shows that give a sense of hope, especially to the less fortunate ones.
Because of this, the Kapuso TV host does not see himself getting tired of doing his job: “Wala akong kapaguran kapag nakikita ko na 'yung saya nila, e.”
Words by Nherz Almo
Photos courtesy of Wowowin Show
Helping people in need should not have an end, says Willie Revillame.
For the Kapuso game show host, giving hope to less fortunate Filipinos is a lifetime commitment.
Thus, it is important to continuously create new ways to reach out to his audience, who not only expect entertainment but also wish to win prizes.
This is the reason he agrees to become the face of the new mobile game that Synergy 88 and August Media plan to develop this year.
“Inisip naming ito nang mabuti, almost one year, para sa buong pamilya.
“You can play and you can win, kaya nga Wil2Play.
“Ito po, pangalan ko ang ginamit para ako ang nag-e-encourage sa inyo kasi baka may chance.
“It’s a game of chance. It is an extension of Wowowin. After ng 6:30, ano na ang susunod? Maglalaro pa rin po kayo para manalo.”
Just like his daily show, Willie promises to give variety of prizes in Wil2Play.
“Ibibigay ko ang lahat ng kailangan n’yo—may jacket, may cellphone, may pang-grocery, may bisikleta, may motorsiklo, may kotse, at may house and lot. Basta ang importante lang, kung papaano mag-join, papaano sumali.
“Ang concept o idea, makatulong at makapagbigay… dream come true talaga lalung-lalo na sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino.
“Ako, ang naisip ko rito, ‘yung mga walang bahay, para naman mabigyan nila ng magandang buhay ang kanilang [pamilya].
“Alam n’yo naman, mahirap ang buhay sa ating bansa so, siguro, 24 oras tuluy-tuloy ang saya, tuluy-tuloy ang bigay ng pag-asa.”
Willie further mentions that he is constantly thinking of ways to help his followers outside Wowowin, and Wil2Play is one of these.
“Ako din naman ‘yan, e, ako rin naman ang nag-isip kung papaano manalo.
“Walang ‘Hep-Hep Hooray!,’ walang ‘Pera o Kahon,’ pero ibang klase para tuluy-tuloy ang saya ninyo.
“Walang tulugan ito, ika nga, wala ng tulugan ito para manalo kayo at matupad ang lahat ng pangarap ninyo.
“‘Yan po ang Wowowin at kasama, siyempre, ang Wil2Play.”
WILLIE CONTINUES TO APPEAL TO THE MASSES
Last July, Willie Revillame made a turnaround flight to Singapore on his own private plane to seal the deal with Philippine-based digital game developer Synergy Media and Singapore-based August Media Holdings.
Willie thought it was just going to be a simple contract signing event.
But he was surprised to see a special setup prepared for him at the reserved area of the upscale restaurant Salt Grill and Sky Bar at the 55th floor of Ion Orchard.
“Actually, hindi ko ine-expect na ganito kalaki ito,” he repeatedly said while signing the contracts with the executives of the two digital media companies.
His new business partners think it was just fitting to throw a special event like this to the future ambassador of the mobile game they aim to launch early next year.
They are, after all, confident that the Filipino TV host will be very helpful to reach their target audience, the masses.
While having a chat with Willie and a few of his Wowowin staff, August Media Holdings CEO Jyotirmoy Saha revealed that he discovered Willie when they watched one of the tapings of his show at GMA Network Center in Quezon City.
He fondly recalled the experience, “The first time I attended Willie’s show, I was actually amazed at the kind of outpouring emotions from the common folk who have attended his taping.
“Since then, I have watched many, many episodes of his show.”
This made them consider the 58-year-old TV host as a new business partner.
– Willie Revillame
Mr. Saha related, “When we were discussing that we need to create a game for the mass market and the game service for the mass market, it was very clear that we need a personality associated with it and who represents the games of the mass market—there was no other better person than Willie Revillame.”
Synergy Media’s co-founder, Bernard Chong, attested to Willie’s appeal to the masses.
He said, “We decided to get Willie because Willie makes a lot of people happy.
“He’s loved by a lot of people. He’s the expert in making a lot of people happy by changing their lives.
“So, we partnered with him for the better reach of the talent and the service that we could do with the Filipino people.”
Since he’s very familiar with his audience, Willie commits to closely work with the developers of the game.
“I have to be involved kasi alam ko ‘yung pulso ng mga tao,” he said.
Willie also stressed, “Alam mo, in every project na ginagawa ko, I have to be involved kasi alam ko kung ano 'yung mga pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin.
“I wanna share this to all our kababayan especially doon sa malalayo sa kanilang pamilya.”
WILLIE GIVES BACK
It’s not actually surprising how Willie continues to win the heart of Pinoys.
Aside from charm, Willie’s desire to help his mass audience never faded.
For almost 15 years, Willie Revillame has been a household name among Pinoys because of his game shows that give a sense of hope, especially to the less fortunate ones.
Prior to Wowowin, Willie had four other variety game shows in two other TV networks.
He started doing solo hosting in Wowowee on ABS-CBN in 2005.
After five years, Willie transferred to TV5, where continued giving prizes via Willing Willie or later renamed as Wil Time Big Time (2010) and Wowowillie (2013).
When he moved to GMA in 2015, Willie co-produced Wowowin with the network.
Throughout these years, the popular game show host says he never gets tired of doing his main purpose—to help the people.
“Wala akong kapaguran kapag nakikita ko na 'yung saya nila, e,” he tells GMANetwork.com in an interview.
“At saka ‘yung mga palakpak nila, napapawi na ‘yon.
“‘Yon na ang gamot sa pagod ko. ‘Yong gamot naman sa kalungkutan, 'yung programa, 'yung Wowowin.”
Although he has transferred to different networks, hundreds of people still flock to his studio, which is currently housed at Studio 6 of GMA Network, during taping days.
Aside from getting a chance to win cash prizes, these people also look forward to meeting Willie personally; and if they get lucky, a chance to hug and kiss the well-loved TV personality.
While Willie enjoys the attention he continuously receives from fans, he admits that at his age, he’s not so much interested in gaining more popularity or even more profit anymore.
“It’s not about me, hindi na,” he declares.
“Tapos na ako dun sa mga pinagdaanan ko sa buhay, sa mga naramdaman ko at nakita ko.
“Kung anuman ang mayroon ako, blessing ito lahat.”
As he continues, Willie reiterates his intention to help fellow Filipinos.
“Hindi na para sa akin ito. Ang lagi kong concern is manalo sila.
“To be honest with you, palagi kong sinasabi sa staff ko, sa mga kasosyo ko sa GMA, ‘Kumita lang tayo ng piso, masaya na ako.’
“It’s not about receiving a lot, it’s about giving a lot.
“Para sa akin, mas masarap 'yung binibigay mo ay mas marami.
“Kasi, kapag marami kang napapasaya, pagtulog mo sa gabi, ang himbing na ng tulog mo.
“That’s the important thing, sa tao.
“Alam mo, sobrang mahal ako ng Diyos. And sa sobrang mahal ako ng Diyos, ginagawa niya akong tulay, di ba?
“Kasi, hindi naman na ako nag-iisip pa ng sarili ko.”
PUBLIC SERVICE ON TV
Meanwhile, for someone who has a lot of followers such as his audience, Willie can actually become a politician, which has been a nagging question to him every time he is interviewed by reporters.
However, the TV host remains firm about his decision to not get into politics.
“Wala naman akong bahid ng politics,” he comments.
He also relates why he avoid getting involved in politics.
“Fair kasi sa akin ang lahat. At saka, you know, mahirap kapag nasa pulitika ka, e.
“Kapag namimigay ka ng pera, binibili mo ‘yong tao. Mahirap, pinagbibili mo 'yung boto.
“Dapat galing ‘yan sa puso mo kapag nagbigay ka ng tulong.”
He adds, “Ako, ang tingin ko sa sarili ko, hindi ako pang-pulitika. Why? Mahirap kapag may kaaway ka, e.
“Kasi, kapag tumakbo na ako, may kaaway agad ako. Makakaaway mo agad ‘yung kalaban mo, e.
“You know, magsisiraan na kayo, parang hindi maganda.
“E, ang sarap ng ganitong buhay, you have your own game show, mayroon pang Wil2Play.
“Parang ang sarap na lahat gusto ka, lahat mahal ka.
“Masarap ang tumutulong ka nang taus-puso. Ang sarap nang nagbibigay ka na walang hinihintay na kapalit. Hindi ka binoboto para manalo.
Like other celebrities who are not interested in politics, Willie is already content with doing public service through his hit game show Wowowin.
“Ako, ang feeling ko, dito lang ako talaga.
“Ako, sa akin, wala na akong hihilingin pa sa biyayang ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoong Diyos.
“Ito na lang ibinabalik ko na lang sa mga taong ito.
“Kung sinuman ang nagdala sa akin sa kung saan ako ngayon, ito naman 'yung giving back, kumbaga, binabalik ko lang sa kanila,” Willie concludes.
