Willie Revillame has been absent on his noontime show Wowowee for two weeks now in protest against Jobert Sucaldito whom he accused of attacking him with “destructive criticisms” in the latter’s program on DZMM, ABS-CBN’s AM radio station. That time, Willie even challenged ABS-CBN management to either fire Jobert or he will leave the noontime show.

This morning, Willie Revillame‘s resignation letter to the ABS-CBN management dated May 12, 2010 was published by Ricky Lo in his column in the Philippine Star.

Here it goes:

12 May 2010

MR. EUGENIO LOPEZ, III
Chairman of the Board
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Mo. Ignacia Ave., Quezon City
Through: Ms. Charo Santos-Concio

President

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

Dear Sir Gabby and Ma’am Charo,

I have labored over the past week on what to do in the face of another setback in my relations with the management of the network. ABS-CBN has been my home for the last five years and five months and it has given me the greatest gift – the opportunity to reach out to people who have so little in life.

In the process, I have come to realize that my gratitude to the network would be more meaningful if I considered the impact of my recent actions which has placed the station in a bad light. This is among the reasons, as I will explain in this letter, that I humbly request the management, to release me as a talent of the network. (Willie’s contract is good for one year and a half more. — RFL)

It is no secret that the program “Wowowee,” for almost five and a half years, has been the core of my existence. The program gives me a sense of purpose because I make people happy and I give them hope that, despite their difficulties, they can make things happen for themselves. Because of this, my world has revolved around the show. The desire to make it the best noontime show, has consumed my waking hours, as I conceptualize its format and contents from Monday to Saturday. Apart from this, I want the show to give the network excellent ratings to maintain its reputation as the leader in the broadcasting industry.

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.

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.

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.

I do not want to cause any 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. This way, 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.

Before I end this letter, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all the important people I have had the good fortune to work with during the years I have been with ABS-CBN. Ma’am Charo, maraming salamat sa lahat ng pagkakataon na naibigay ninyo sa akin. Kayo po ang tinuturing kong ina na patuloy akong tinatanggap at minamahal sa kabila ng lahat ng aking kahinaan. Hinding-hindi ko po kayo makakalimutan at lahat ng mga bagay na ginawa ninyo para sa akin.

Kay Mr. Gabby Lopez, maraming salamat po sa inyong pagtitiwala sa aking kakayanan na magbigay ng mahusay na programa. Kay Tita Cory Vidanes, maraming salamat sa pagiging maunawain ninyo sa akin. Kay Mr. Johnny Manahan, maraming salamat sa walang-sawang pag-suporta ninyo sa akin at sa “Wowowee,” at lalong lalo na sa pagtayo ninyo bilang aking pangalawang ama. Kay Ms. Linggit Tan, Mr. Jay Montelibano at Mr. Edgar Mortiz, maraming salamat sa suporta at tulong ninyo na mapabuti and programang “Wowowee” para sa ikaliligaya ngmga natutulangan natin. Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng management ng ABS-CBN, maraming salamat sa tulong ninyo sa aking programa.

Higit sa lahat, sa lahat ng mga taong sumuporta at patulong na sumusuporta sa show na “Wowowee,” maraming salamat at kayo ang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas na gawin ang mga dapat kong gawin. Sana po ay maunawaan ninyo ang aking kahilingan sa sulat na ito. Ayaw ko na pong may masasaktan pa at gusto ko lang na maisaayos lahat. Taos-puso akong humihingi sa inyo ng tawad at lubos na pang-unawa sa lahat ng pinagdadaanan ko ngayon.

There will never be enough words to express my gratitude to all of you…

Salamat at mabuhay po kayong lahat!

Respectfully yours,

— Willie B. Revillame

Copy furnished:

Ms. Charo Santos-Concio

Ms. Cory Vidanes

Mr. Johnny Manahan

Ms. Arlene De Castro

Ms. Linggit Tan

Mr. Jay Montelibano

Mr. Edgar Mortiz

Willie Revillame’s Resignation Letter to ABS-CBN Leaked originally appeared on Starmometer on May 21, 2010.

It’s a double celebration for the League of Intrigues, composed of the combined forces of the undisputed showbiz authority, Startalk and the Intriga Capital of the Philippines, Showbiz Central, as both shows captured high ratings and received abundant praises from viewers all over.

Based on the data of AGB Nielsen, among viewer-rich Mega Manila households last April 24 and 25, Startalk TX totally outclassed its competitor with an average audience share of 11.2%, 4.3% higher than competing showbiz talk show’s 7.0%. Showbiz Central also secured victory with a 9.1% rating while its competitor only had an 8.6% audience share.

The burgeoning legacy. For 14 years, Startalk has remained at the top of its game, going from strength to strength through fearless delivery of the latest entertainment news and by offering an engaging format that features the talk show hosts at their best.

Audiences admire how entertainment editor Ricky Lo could bring them exclusive interviews of both top and international celebrities. They appreciate how film critic Butch Francisco can be in two places at once just to give viewers a raw picture of the paths taken by a showbiz personality involved in the controversies of the week. Entertainment guru Joey De Leon–who always has everyone laughing with his jokes, especially those thrown at co host Lolit Solis–combines his signature humor with his intelligent analysis of showbiz issues. And then, of course, there is top showbiz manager Lolit Solis, the only woman in the formidable Startalk team who never fails to shock with her off-the-cuff comments. Ricky Lo, Butch Francisco, Joey De Leon and Lolit Solis –the Fab Four, all successful in their respective fields who have access to the inner workings of show biz. Small wonder then that when they talk, people listen.

Now that Startalk leveled up to Startalk TX, the Fab Four and the rest of the team are Three Times (TX) more aggressive at getting the hottest show biz news, Three Times more engaging, and Three Times more fun.

The favorite Ka-Chika. At Showbiz Central, viewers can now do the talking. The segment Opinion Central just got bigger and better as it officially names the viewers as the “other host” of the show. This means that audiences can participate, react and enjoy Showbiz Central in real time — live and online! Viewer reaction is nothing short of ecstatic. In fact, thousands of messages comprised of raging opinions, unheard-of scoops, and hard-hitting questions flooded the show. Currently, Showbiz Central has 5,000 Facebook fan page friends, and counting.

This genuine interactive experience coupled with the wild and upbeat segments hosted by the sweet intrigera John Lapus, the Eat Bulaga muse and credible ChikaMinute anchor Pia Guanio, the ever-controversial sexy TV and movie star Rufa Mae Quinto, the insightful host and party scene insider Raymond Gutierrez, and the clever but no less controversial radio jock, Mo Twister, all make Showbiz Central audiences’ favorite tambayan for unguarded showbiz discussions.

The League of Intrigues — Startalk TX and Showbiz Central — will also make it possible for hosts of both shows to crossover as guest hosts, doubling the excitement, the credibility and the fun!

The League of Intrigues wows audiences every weekend afternoons–Startalk TX on Saturday, after Eat Bulaga and Showbiz Central on Sunday, after Dear Friend.

Double Victory for the League of Intrigues originally appeared on Starmometer on April 30, 2010.

Adam Sandler (Big Daddy, Little Nicky, Anger Management) and Rob Schneider (The Animal, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo) are co-starring in the Zohan movie. They are long-time pals and they both started a career in stand up comedy.

The movie is about an ex-commando who pursue his dream of becoming a hairstlyist in New York. Sandler is Zohan while Schneider plays the role of Salim, a Palestinian cab driver who came to New York to fulfill his dreams.

In the interview, Schneider shared that her maternal grandmother is a Filipina who met an American soldier while he was stationed in the Philippines.

The Ricky Lo Exclusives airs every Wednesday night on QTV Channel 11.

Click HERE to watch the preview of ‘Zohan’.

Ricky Lo Interviews Adam Sandler & Rob Schneider originally appeared on Starmometer on August 8, 2008.