MANILA, Philippines??Wowoeee? is Willie Revillame?s whole life. ?Everything I own, I owe to the show,? he told Inquirer Entertainment.
This inspired him, Revillame said, to build Wil, a 12-story theater-mall complex on Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City right next to ABS-CBN. It will be the new home of his beloved program.
With Willie at the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday were ABS-CBN Star Magic head Johnny Manahan, theater consultant; Jonathan Gan, architect; Jose Aliling, engineer; network president Charo Santos-Concio, Channel 2 Mega Manila head Cory Vidanes, Entertainment Production head Linggit Tan and Willie?s manager Arlene de Castro.
Why does Wil have only one L?
?Di na kasi ako ganoon ka-L. ?Pag may edad ka na, isang L na lang (laughs).
Is it true that this will cost P600 million?
From P500 million to P600 million. Andito na lahat, e. May theater for concerts or premiere nights ng Star Cinema. The other theater will be the studio of ?Wowowee.?Ang rooftop pinalagyan ko ng basketball court, gym and spa. And there will be five restaurants.
Is this where all your savings will go?
I?m negotiating with the owner of the adjacent lot. Gusto ko rin magtayo ng condotel... kung matuloy, magpapagawa [rin ako] ng bridge-way to the ABS studios.
Can you give Manny Pacquiao any advice on where to put his millions?
I?m sure he has his own advisers. Simpleng tao lang ?yang si Manny, very humble. I don?t believe in luck. I believe in hard work. Bago ka umangat, dadaan ka talaga sa butas ng karayom. Sana maging inspiration ang buhay namin ni Manny.
Would you support Vice President Noli de Castro if he ran for president?
Of course. My manager, Tita Arlene, is Kabayan?s (De Castro) wife. Si... Kabayan, panay ang bigay ng tulong sa mahihirap, pero walang publicity.
A lot of political candidates want to appear on your show.
We should all hear their plans for the country. Everybody is welcome. I ask permission from Ma?am Charo and boss Gabby (Lopez, chair and CEO). Kung sabihin nilang hindi pwede, susunod naman ako.
Kris resented Korina?s appearance on your show to announce her engagement to Sen. Mar Roxas.
Sana maintindihan ni Kris ?yun. Binigay ko lang kung ano ang dapat [kina Korina at Mar]. Nagpaalam ako kay Mr. M. I didn?t know there was [a prior] arrangement with Kris. Dapat sinabihan ako ng management. [Pero] hindi dapat nagtatampo si Kris. Nasa isang bubong lang kami.
How?s your health?
May dalawang baradong ugat sa puso ko. I?m on medication. Yung ulcer ko okay na rin..
You?re this year?s top taxpayer.
Maraming kumikita nang mas malaki sa akin, nagbabayad lang ako ng tama. Halos halaga ng isang bahay ang ibinabayad ko monthly.
Would you campaign for a presidential candidate for P100 million? Ang pera hindi issue. Ang pinaguusapan, ?di ba ako mapapahiya? ?Pag natalo ang kandidato, talo rin ako. [Pero pag nanalo siya] ang hihilingin ko lang naman, isama n?ya ako sa oath-taking ceremony (laughs).
