Willie ‘embarrassed,’ wants out of ABS-CBN

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