Revillame: From show biz to corporate world

MANILA, Philippines - TV host-actor Willie Revillame will be on hiatus from show business, shifting his focus to business in the corporate world.

Aviation, real estate and tourism-related businesses will keep the controversial variety show host busy until next year.

“What’s in my mind now is to rest first. If there are offers, I will study that,” said Revillame, whose birth name is Wilfredo Buendia Revillame.

But his umbrella firm Wire, which is into show production, real estate and aviation, will be more active moving forward. Noontime variety show Wil Time Bigtime will cease airing in mid-October, allowing Revillame to rest and focus on his businesses for at least three months.

“In life, you have to be in a business like us,” said Revillame, who said he does not want to end like other celebrities who failed to prepare for the future.

For instance, the variety show host’s one-hectare prime lot in tourist spot Tagaytay is being developed into an upscale boutique hotel.

Revillame said the boutique hotel that will have 35-40 villas will start commercial operations in a year and a half.

The celebrity is also taking the skies through aviation firm Wil Fly.

“My plane is being leased. That one is earning and I will buy one more,” Revillame said, adding that the jet is big enough to sit 30 guests.

“My work is related to the masses so for my businesses, it will be high end,” Revillame said.

Another venture for the celebrity is Wil Tower Mall through a partnership with the Villar family’s Vista Land & Lifescapes.

The 42-story Wil Tower Mall is a 3,000-square-meter, two-tower project of which four floors are allotted for a shopping mall.

But at the end of the day, Revillame will still be the celebrity.

“My real business is showbiz. I invested my life here, my entire personality,” he stressed.