Willie Revillame Officially Resigns from Wowowee; ABS-CBN Issues Their Statement

After the much-talked brouhaha about Willie Revillame's threat to resign from his noontime show Wowowee should the ABS-CBN management decide not to fire showbiz columnist and radio announcer Jobert Sucaldito (read related post here) and being absent in the show for two weeks now (he is temporarily replaced by action superstar Robin Padilla), Willie decided to file his resignation not just from the noontime show but as an exclusive talent of ABS-CBN.

In his letter sent to the ABS-CBN bosses, Willie said his piece about the previous and recent happenings on the show which have flawed the reputation of the show and put him on a bad light even those are not his fault. He was very thankful to those who supported him in his more than 5 years of existence on the show but he also requested a release as a talent of the network. Read his letter below:

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.

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

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN through Mr. Bong Osorio, the network's Corporate Communications Head, immediately released their statement regarding the above resignation letter. And it reads:

Even prior to the publication of Willie Revillame's letter to ABS-CBN in the May 21 column of Ricky Lo in The Philippine Star, a meeting has already been scheduled between Willie and ABS-CBN management next week. ABS-CBN chooses not to comment on his letter until after the meeting.

ABS-CBN believes that issues are best resolved when discussed with the parties concerned privately before they are made public.

-- BONG R. OSORIO
Head, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications