Willie ‘embarrassed,’ wants out of ABS-CBN
By Gerry Plaza – May 23rd, 2010
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Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia
Barely a week after Willie Revillame publicly declared his disappointment at being verbally lambasted by Jobert Sucaldito (himself a ABS-CBN talent) in a radio show, he has asked to be released from his contract with the network that has been his home for many years.
With his decision, it seemed Willie has taken heed from his close industry ally, Cristy Fermin, who was also once a Kapamilya talent. Cristy had emphasized in interviews that if Willie wanted to switch sides in the network wars, he should first submit a letter to ABS-CBN seeking a release from his contract.
But that really is a necessary legal procedure, whether Cristy advises it or not. But the bottomline is that Willie wants out—due to frustration that the network has really not taken sides, especially not in his favor so far in this drama; exasperation over the continuing controversies that have hounded him since his MTB days; and what he reveals as his failing health.
In his letter to ABS-CBN, Willie was pretty much straightforward and clear:
“My devotion to the show is unparalleled that I have even been besieged by health problems due to the long hours I spend daily, thinking of how to bring “Wowowee” closer to the public. In fact, I have developed a heart blockage, which has already once posed a real threat to my life. I have sacrificed so much. Now, I have to accept the reality that I also have to take good care of my health,” Willie said in the letter.
He added: “Hence, it is very painful to hear every time my show is the target of unwanted and unnecessary tirades. I do not think that these people even have the slightest clue of what I go through to put together a show like “Wowowee”’. The show is not for me, but for those people who dream of a better life. Is it too much to ask that we be respected for what we do? Is it too much to ask that we be defended from such attacks?
“My outburst last week during the live presentation of the show is nothing more than a reflection of my frustration over these things, and was not at all meant to disrespect the network and its management. I implore you to understand that several incidents, which were beyond my control which have marred the reputation of the show to some extent, have already taken their toll on me,” Willie noted.
He further explained: “There was the “Wilyonaryo” incident wherein we were accused of deceiving contestants about their winnings; the Ultra stampede wherein I was blamed and severely criticized; the misunderstanding about my remarks when the coverage of the funeral of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino was unexpectedly shown in the giling-giling portion of “Wowowee”’s airing, for which I have apologized. In all these incidents, I took responsibility even if I was not at fault.”
Thus he declared that the main reason for leaving was to prevent further “embarrassment” to the network.
“I know that all these have caused so much strain on our relations and I would like to save the situation by asking that I be released as a talent of the station,” he said.
ABS-CBN said it will act on Willie’s request after a meeting with its controversial talent on Monday, May 24. According to Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Head, the network had long scheduled a meeting with Willie before the letter was first made public on Friday in Ricky Lo’s Philippine Star column.
“ABS-CBN believes that issues are best resolved when discussed with the parties concerned privately before they are made public,” Osorio said in a statement sent to Yahoo! Southeast Asia.
As of now, Willie remains uncertain about his future if ABS-CBN grants his release. There were talks TV5 was interested in his services. But the refurbished network denied making any offer to Willie.
However in the letter he mentioned: “(Should the network grant my release) I will have the much-needed space and time to contemplate on my direction in life and, at the same time, maintain the relationships I have built within the network, which are all worth preserving.”
Photo by AP
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame PEP
TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame
PEP
PEP - Wednesday, May 19
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[TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame] TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos
Controversial TV host Willie Revillame surprised everyone when he agreed to an exclusive taped interview on TV5's Paparazzi aired last Sunday, May 17.
Willie has been on indefinite leave from his noontime show in ABS-CBN, Wowowee, for almost two weeks now. The TV host's decision to take an indefinite leave was caused by Jobert Sucaldito's negative comments about the previous batch of contestants in one of Wowowee segments.
In the TV5 interview, Willie admitted that he has not yet decided on whether or not he will return to Wowowee. He said, "Pinag-aaralan ko lahat, pinag-iisipan ko lahat. Kumbaga, kinakausap ko rin sarili ko. Dapat kausapin mo rin. Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin? Ano pa ba ang gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo?" (CLICK HERE to read related article,)
It may be recalled that during the last sortie of presidential aspirant Manny Villar, Willie was quoted as saying: "Natatakot akong mawalan ng trabaho? Pag magaling ka, may bilib ka sa sarili mo, at mabuti kang tao, 'wag kang matakot. May kukuha sa 'yo. Ba't ako matatakot? Isa lang ba ang channel?" (CLICK HERE to read related article.)
After these statements and his interview with Paparazzi, many observers started speculating that Willie might move to TV5.
WILLIE IS NOT TRANSFERRING. In an exclusive phone interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) yesterday afternoon, May 18, TV5 head for Creative and Entertainment Perci Intalan said these talks have reached their office. However, he denied that Willie is transferring to their network.
"Of course, people have been speculating, naririnig din naman namin 'yon," he said. "Pero marami namang nag-i-speculate kung sino-sino ang lilipat sa amin, di ba? Right now, we're very flattered kasi people recognize now that we're a major player. Pero wala rin naman kaming contact kay Will 'til that point, noong interview na 'yon."
Intalan also expressed gratitude to Willie, on behalf of TV5, for giving them the exclusive interview.
"Parang we feel honored that he allowed us to interview him na exclusive, na pinagkatiwalaan niya kami to be the network that airs his first interview after the issue, di ba? But you know, to be fair rin sa kanya, he knows it's a sensitive issue. 'Yong interview lang na 'yon ang contact namin sa kanya."
GETTING THE INTERVIEW. Intalan also clarified that Willie's interview on Paparazzi was not meant to create speculation. It was conducted so they could connect it to the new segment they created for TV5's musical-variety show, P.O.5. (Party On 5).
Intalan explained, "When we were able to get an exclusive interview with Willie, malaking pasalamat namin. From way back, nagko-conceptualize na kami ng bagong segment called 'Musikat' [for P.O.5] kung saan babaliin namin yung arrangement ng mga sikat na songs to get a different version. Kasama dito sina Jay Durias [musical director of P.O.5], Bituin Escalante, Jan Nieto, Apple Chiu [a former contestant of Philippine Idol], among others.
"Naisip namin, okay si Willie kasi sikat nga yung mga songs n'ya. Tapos sabi namin, 'Why don't we try to interview him and do a feature on Willie to set the number up?' Tapos nangyari ang issue na 'yon. So, nagbakasakali kami...since hindi naman siya ganun ka-busy sa election..."
This led to seeking the help of Paparazzi host Cristy Fermin, a close friend of Willie.
Intalan recalled, "Humingi kami ng tulong kay Cristy Fermin and maybe she could do a feature on Paparazzi, di ba? 'Itong P.O.5, may bagong version ng mga kanta ko.' Parang ganun, parang endorsement lang. We were fortunate na close si Cristy at saka si Willie, so pumayag siyang magpa-interview. Doon na 'yon, na-interview namin siya."
Is TV5 planning to meet with Willie in the future?
Intalan said they haven't contacted Willie after the interview. "He went away rin naman kasi...parang pumunta siya ng Macau. And, of course, we can't really do anything unless ma-resolve 'yong situation ni Willie sa ABS-CBN," he added.
The executive added that TV5 is aware that Willie is still with ABS-CBN.
"As far as we understand, he still obviously has a contract with ABC-CBN. So, nirerespeto naman namin 'yon. So, beyond the interview, wala na rin kaming contact," Intalan said.
To clear the issue, Intalan reiterated that TV5 has not made any offer to Willie. He also hopes that the issue between the TV host and his home network would be resolved soon.
"Sa ngayon, wala naman kaming contact with each other. We don't even know kung gusto niyang mangyari 'yon [transfer]. Kami, ang alam namin, may kontrata siya [with ABS-CBN] and alam mo naman sa showbiz, may mga di pagkakaunawaan and after a week of two, mare-resolve rin naman. The point is, we were granted an interview and ang alam ko nag-uusap na sila [Willie and ABS-CBN executives]."
PEP
PEP - Wednesday, May 19
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[TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame] TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos
Controversial TV host Willie Revillame surprised everyone when he agreed to an exclusive taped interview on TV5's Paparazzi aired last Sunday, May 17.
Willie has been on indefinite leave from his noontime show in ABS-CBN, Wowowee, for almost two weeks now. The TV host's decision to take an indefinite leave was caused by Jobert Sucaldito's negative comments about the previous batch of contestants in one of Wowowee segments.
In the TV5 interview, Willie admitted that he has not yet decided on whether or not he will return to Wowowee. He said, "Pinag-aaralan ko lahat, pinag-iisipan ko lahat. Kumbaga, kinakausap ko rin sarili ko. Dapat kausapin mo rin. Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin? Ano pa ba ang gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo?" (CLICK HERE to read related article,)
It may be recalled that during the last sortie of presidential aspirant Manny Villar, Willie was quoted as saying: "Natatakot akong mawalan ng trabaho? Pag magaling ka, may bilib ka sa sarili mo, at mabuti kang tao, 'wag kang matakot. May kukuha sa 'yo. Ba't ako matatakot? Isa lang ba ang channel?" (CLICK HERE to read related article.)
After these statements and his interview with Paparazzi, many observers started speculating that Willie might move to TV5.
WILLIE IS NOT TRANSFERRING. In an exclusive phone interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) yesterday afternoon, May 18, TV5 head for Creative and Entertainment Perci Intalan said these talks have reached their office. However, he denied that Willie is transferring to their network.
"Of course, people have been speculating, naririnig din naman namin 'yon," he said. "Pero marami namang nag-i-speculate kung sino-sino ang lilipat sa amin, di ba? Right now, we're very flattered kasi people recognize now that we're a major player. Pero wala rin naman kaming contact kay Will 'til that point, noong interview na 'yon."
Intalan also expressed gratitude to Willie, on behalf of TV5, for giving them the exclusive interview.
"Parang we feel honored that he allowed us to interview him na exclusive, na pinagkatiwalaan niya kami to be the network that airs his first interview after the issue, di ba? But you know, to be fair rin sa kanya, he knows it's a sensitive issue. 'Yong interview lang na 'yon ang contact namin sa kanya."
GETTING THE INTERVIEW. Intalan also clarified that Willie's interview on Paparazzi was not meant to create speculation. It was conducted so they could connect it to the new segment they created for TV5's musical-variety show, P.O.5. (Party On 5).
Intalan explained, "When we were able to get an exclusive interview with Willie, malaking pasalamat namin. From way back, nagko-conceptualize na kami ng bagong segment called 'Musikat' [for P.O.5] kung saan babaliin namin yung arrangement ng mga sikat na songs to get a different version. Kasama dito sina Jay Durias [musical director of P.O.5], Bituin Escalante, Jan Nieto, Apple Chiu [a former contestant of Philippine Idol], among others.
"Naisip namin, okay si Willie kasi sikat nga yung mga songs n'ya. Tapos sabi namin, 'Why don't we try to interview him and do a feature on Willie to set the number up?' Tapos nangyari ang issue na 'yon. So, nagbakasakali kami...since hindi naman siya ganun ka-busy sa election..."
This led to seeking the help of Paparazzi host Cristy Fermin, a close friend of Willie.
Intalan recalled, "Humingi kami ng tulong kay Cristy Fermin and maybe she could do a feature on Paparazzi, di ba? 'Itong P.O.5, may bagong version ng mga kanta ko.' Parang ganun, parang endorsement lang. We were fortunate na close si Cristy at saka si Willie, so pumayag siyang magpa-interview. Doon na 'yon, na-interview namin siya."
Is TV5 planning to meet with Willie in the future?
Intalan said they haven't contacted Willie after the interview. "He went away rin naman kasi...parang pumunta siya ng Macau. And, of course, we can't really do anything unless ma-resolve 'yong situation ni Willie sa ABS-CBN," he added.
The executive added that TV5 is aware that Willie is still with ABS-CBN.
"As far as we understand, he still obviously has a contract with ABC-CBN. So, nirerespeto naman namin 'yon. So, beyond the interview, wala na rin kaming contact," Intalan said.
To clear the issue, Intalan reiterated that TV5 has not made any offer to Willie. He also hopes that the issue between the TV host and his home network would be resolved soon.
"Sa ngayon, wala naman kaming contact with each other. We don't even know kung gusto niyang mangyari 'yon [transfer]. Kami, ang alam namin, may kontrata siya [with ABS-CBN] and alam mo naman sa showbiz, may mga di pagkakaunawaan and after a week of two, mare-resolve rin naman. The point is, we were granted an interview and ang alam ko nag-uusap na sila [Willie and ABS-CBN executives]."
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Nokia files new US patent lawsuit against Apple
Nokia files new US patent lawsuit against Apple
AFP
AFP - Saturday, May 8
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[The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit...] The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit against rival Apple accusing the US firm of infringing five Nokia patents with its latest iPhone and iPad devices.
HELSINKI (AFP) - – The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit against rival Apple accusing the US firm of infringing five Nokia patents with its latest iPhone and iPad devices.
The suit is the latest development in a fierce battle between the two mobile world titans that has seen a sharp drop in Nokia sales and a rise in sales of Apple's iconic iPhone.
"The patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices," Nokia said in a statement.
The Finnish company said it filed the suit Friday in the Federal District Court in the Western District of the US state of Wisconsin.
"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices" the group's general manager of patent licensing Paul Melin said in the statement.
"We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia's innovation," he added.
In October last year, Nokia filed a lawsuit against Apple in a Federal district court for infringing 10 Nokia patents.
Apple hit back in December, countersuing Nokia on allegations it was infringing Apple patents.
In late December, Nokia asked the US International Trade Commission to open an inquiry into alleged infringement of its patents by Apple.
AFP
AFP - Saturday, May 8
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[The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit...] The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit against rival Apple accusing the US firm of infringing five Nokia patents with its latest iPhone and iPad devices.
HELSINKI (AFP) - – The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit against rival Apple accusing the US firm of infringing five Nokia patents with its latest iPhone and iPad devices.
The suit is the latest development in a fierce battle between the two mobile world titans that has seen a sharp drop in Nokia sales and a rise in sales of Apple's iconic iPhone.
"The patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices," Nokia said in a statement.
The Finnish company said it filed the suit Friday in the Federal District Court in the Western District of the US state of Wisconsin.
"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices" the group's general manager of patent licensing Paul Melin said in the statement.
"We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia's innovation," he added.
In October last year, Nokia filed a lawsuit against Apple in a Federal district court for infringing 10 Nokia patents.
Apple hit back in December, countersuing Nokia on allegations it was infringing Apple patents.
In late December, Nokia asked the US International Trade Commission to open an inquiry into alleged infringement of its patents by Apple.
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