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Aug 13, 2010
says goodbye to ABS-CBN
Goodbye ABS-CBN. This may yet be the last word of singer and television host Willie Revillame as announced that he was finally leaving the ABS-CBN Network after his program “Wowowee” was axed and replaced with a new program.
Later, the network said Willie’s contract will still have to end in 2011. Willie, however, insisted that his contract with the network has ended because of the treatment of the network of him. It was gathered that Willie was poised to join another television station, but there was no confirmation to the report. Willie himself said he has not decided on the offers of other television stations. Accompanied by his lawyers, Leonard de Vera and Ferdinand Domingo, the controversial television explained his position on the row.
According to Willie, he had a thorough deliberation before making any decision and revealing it to the public. Willie disclosed that prior to reaching his decision, he had three meetings with ABS-CBN executives. First meeting was with ABS-CBN’s Linggit Tan at his Tagaytay residence, Willie said.
The singer-host said in that first meeting, he was told that the network has decided to retain him to “Wowowee” on July 31. “Napag-usapan namin yung mga bagong segments at kung ano pa yung mga dapat gawin sa bagong programa,” Willie added.
Willie said his second meeting took place last July 13 at ABSCBN Compound with the network’s President Charo Santos-Concio where the topic was his mostanticipated comeback to the show. “On July 13, I met naman with Ma’am Charo Santos at kinumpirma niyang babalik na ko at sabi pa niya, galingan mo, ha. So nag-meet na ako with the staff para pagplanuhan ang pagbabalik ko,” he said. He added: “But on July 20, nakipag-meet uli sa’kin si Linggit Tan.
Hindi na raw ako babalik sa ‘Wowowee’ at okay raw ba sa’kin ang once a week show sa Studio 23? Sabi ko, magsara na tayo. Napakasakit ng sinasabi mo sa’kin. Marami pa raw ayaw na bumalik ako sa ‘Wowowee.’ Binuhos ko ang buong buhay ko sa ‘Wowowee.’ Napabayaan ko ang sarili ko. Ang gusto ko lang, magpasaya ng tao sa araw-araw kaya nagpapaalam na ako sa ABSCBN.” “Sa pagkakaalam ko tapos na ang lahat, na babalik na ako sa July 31,” he said. ”After the meeting, pinagisipan ko na po lahat kung ano pa yung mga gagawin ko para mas mapaganda yung show,” he added. Willie said he then decided to plan on his return, citing his intention of making public apology on the issue. Willie said he had the final meeting last July 20 at the Imperial Suites in Quezon City. According to Willie, Tan offered him a once-a-week pre-taped show or a new program at Studio 23 also owned by ABS-CBN.
“Parang lahat ng inisip kong idea at lahat ng inayos ko nawala lahat,” he said, adding the he was just surprised that the initial plan was recalled. “From that time, nag-decide na ako. Sa araw na ito, ako na po ang gagawa ng decision at ako po ay nagpapaalam na sa ABS-CBN. Tinatapos ko na po ang kontrata ko sa ABS-CBN,” he said. Last July 30, “Wowowee” finally ended its five-year broadcast and was then replaced by “Pilipinas, Win na Win” hosted by Kris Aquino and Robin Padilla with “Wowowee” resident cohosts Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion and Pokwang.
Willie disclosed that he does not have any bad feelings for the network and this decision will let everybody move on from all what had happened for the past months. But the ABS-CBN released an official statement on Willie’s statement through their Corporate Communications Head Bong Osorio, refusing to free him from the contract. “He violated the behavioral provisions of his contract when he threatened the ABSCBN management during the May 4, 2010 episode of Wowowee, with a resignation if management does not fire another artist of the network. His behavior was generally seen as a display of disrespect and arrogance, completely unacceptable to the Filipino public,” the statement said. “As the one who violated his contract, Willie has no right to have it unilaterally invalidated. Contracts are binding agreements that must be respected by the contracting parties involved,” it added.