Willie Revillame leaves Villar’s AllTV
WILLIE REVILLAME in file photo with John Lloyd Cruz director Edgar Mortiz
Don’t look now but the fortune of popular television host Willie Revillame is changing again.
This as he has reportedly resigned from Manny Villar’s AllTV Channel 2 of the All Media Broadcasting System (AMBS), just 14 months after leaving GMA Network which hosted his popular “Wowowin” show.
Reports on Revillame’s quitting AllTV is splashed in Manila media, including Bilyonario.com, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP).
Showbiz television host Cristy Fermin reported that Willie has resigned from AllTV.
“Isa pong source ang nakapagbalita sa amin na sumulat na po si Willie Revillame sa pamunuan ng ALLTV ng AMBS 2 at nag-resign na po siya, wala na siyang kinalaman sa istasyon,” she said.
Cristy said it would not be surprising if Willie turns out in another television station.
Cristy compared Willie to a cat who has “nine lives” for surviving the challenge.
“May siyam na buhay! Nakailang buhay na ba siya, Dos, (ABS-CBN), Singko (TV5), Siyete (GMA-7) at itong AMBS2 apat (na). May lima pa. Kaya niyang humanap ng paraan para siya ay makabalik,” Cristy said.
PEP’s Jo Gabinete, however, reported that Revillame did not resign, but asked in a letter to Villar that he be released from his exclusive contract with the new station.
It was reported that Revillame did not want that he continues to be a “burden” to AllTV and receiving his talent fee while his program and other programs in the station were on hold.
Reports indicated that two television stations are considering taking Revillame, but the singer, actor, composer and television host has yet to decide on his next move.
AllTV stopped airing “Wowowin” and the network’s two other original productions earlier this year.
The 62-year-old host left his top-rating show on GMA Network in February last year to join Villar’s AllTV, which is airing on the Channel 2 frequency lost by the Lopez family following Congress’ denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application.
Fermin reported Revillame readily joined Villar out of “utang na loob” or debt of gratitude despite the immense popularity of his show on Felipe Gozon’s network.
“So bilang ganti po at tinatanawan niya ng utang na loob nu’ng imbitahan siya ng pamilya Villar para buuin po itong AMBS2 sumama siya. Iniwan niya ‘yung napakagandang kapalaran niya sa GMA,” she said.
AllTV was earlier reported to be suffering from lack of advertisers to support its shows and had transmission network problems, prompting to freeze “Wowowin” and other shows.
It was reported that AllTV would resume its program after fixing its transmission problems but this could take months to complete.
After leaving AllTV, Revillame is planning to air his show on his digital platform in the short term.
Revillame reportedly got tired of being given the runaround by AMBS which has yet to come up with a game plan for AllTv.
Villar suspended the airing and production of Revillame’s show – including the programs of Toni Gonzaga and the trio of Ruffa Gutierrez, Ciara Sotto and Mariel Rodriguez – last February due to mounting production costs, poor ratings and measly revenues. The shows were on air for only five months.
