Willie Revillame will be ‘on fire’ in October

If plans do not miscarry, popular singer and television host Willie Revillame will be “on fire” again with a television program in October.
Showbiz and television industries are abuzz with reports that Willie is close to signing a “multi-million-peso” contract with the revitalized Channel 5, now popularly known as TV5.
The reports surfaced even as Willie is in the midst of a legal battle against his former mother studio, ABS-CBN, which claims that he is still the network’s talent and, therefore, could not appear in other shows in other television stations, without its consent.
Willie and his lawyer, however, are firm on their stand that ABS-CBN had actually released Willie of its obligations of its contract when it axed his show “Wowowee,” despite of an agreement that he would return to the show which made millions of fans and advertising money to the network and him.
In an article by a local daily, Revillame’s new show, reportedly titled “Willing-Willie,” is said to premiere on the Kapatid network beginning Oct. 10.
The report added that network mogul Manny V. Pangilinan is giving his “all-out support” for the show, going as far as encouraging TV5’s sister companies to do likewise.
Unlike his previous show on estranged home network ABS-CBN, Revillame’s new program will not air at noontime but prime time, at 6 to 8 in the evening, according to a Manila Bulletin report of Rowena Joy Sanchez.
Another report said that Viva Entertainment big boss Vic del Rosario will co-produce the show, brainstorming nonstop with Revillame to create new concepts for “Willing-Willie.”
The report added that Revillame is now working day and night for the preparations for the new show along with his staff crew who are mostly his co-workers from his axed show “Wowowee.”
In a PEP Scoopbox post on Sept. 9, a source revealed that the production rehearses in a studio along Timog Avenue.
Former Viva Hot Babe Maui Taylor is also reportedly being considered as Revillame’s co-host.
Revillame has been rumored for many weeks now to be making a comeback on TV via the Kapatid network.
TV 5 management denied earlier reports about the deal with Willie. On August 18, the station through TV5’s Corporate Communications office issued its statement of denial. “TV5 denies reports confirming that Willie is all set to do Wowowee on TV5,” it said.
Some of his colleagues from “Wowowee,” including business unit head Jay Montelibano, had already resigned from replacement show “Pilipinas Win na Win.”
It was gathered that Revillame has assured his former “Wowowee” co-workers who are joining him on TV5 that he willo cover their salaries while they wait for the launch of the new show.
Sanchez sought comment on Revillame’s latest moves from Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications. Osorio said: “Willie continues to be bound to ABS-CBN and we will challenge in court any contract involving his production or exhibition of another program with another network.”
Revillame’s camp, meanwhile, has filed for the judicial confirmation to rescind his contract from the network. ABS-CBN has until Sept. 15 to formally answer the charges. Willie is represented by Leonard de Vera, who was a long-time practicing lawyer based in San Francisco, California.