Willie plays 'angel' to OFWs in Dubai

The success of the recent staging of the ABS-CBN noontime show Wowowee in Dubai was made more meaningful when host Willie Revillame played “angel” to 32 of the 60-plus OFWs under the custody of the POLO-OWWA Dubai.

According to Funfare’s DPA in Dubai, Willie shelled out P450,000 from his own wallet for the plane tickets of 32 of the OFWs who sought the help of the Philippine Consulate there after they were hurt, abandoned or maltreated by their employers. Some of them were pregnant and some were infants. Kind-hearted individuals came to the rescue of the first batch of OFWs who, hopefully, should have been reunited with their families back home.

“During a break,” the Funfare DPA added, “Willie and ABS-CBN lady boss Charo Santos-Concio visited the Philippine Consulate and learned about the plight of the OFWs. Without any second thought, Willie right there and then shouldered the plane fare of the remaining 32 OFWs. It was Willie’s advance Valentine gift to them.”

Ching Ardivilla of POLO-OWWA Dubai couldn’t thank Willie enough.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Willie invited the 60-plus OFWs as contestants on Wowowee’s Bigat-10, Hep-Hep Hooray or Oo o Hindi segment?

Why MVP is widely smiling

Ever wonder why Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) is smiling from ear to ear these days?

Here’s Funfare correspondent Nap Gutierrez to tell us why:

...that’s because he has just achieved a rare grand slam in basketball. A few months ago, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles captured the UAAP championships over La Salle. At about the same time, the school which he supports achieved a grand-slam feat when the Red Lions won the NCAA title for the third straight year, beating Jose Rizal University in three Finals’ games.

A few days ago, Talk N Text Tropang Texters (the team he owns in the PBA), won a fiercely-contested Game 7 over Alaska. And all these three victories eventually brought a personal grand slam to a man whose passion for supporting basketball has made him one of the most triumphant figures in the world of sports.

Like any ordinary basketball fan, MVP cheered, clapped and screamed his heart out. He wore an ordinary yellow shirt, the color that identified the supporters of the Tropang Texters. It took the team all of five years to bag the title. The long wait was worth it. Thousands of basketball supporters filled the Big Dome to the rafters. The action from the first minute to the last second was tight and tough, and the last 30 seconds proved to be the longest nail-biting moments for fans of both Alaska and Talk N Text.

The victory celebration at the Kamayan EDSA lasted until almost 2 o’clock the following morning. Hundreds of Talk N text supporters enjoyed the sumptuous buffet. The next day, a thanksgiving Mass was held at the Smart office in Makati.

Martin at Panglao Island Nature Resort in Bohol

Sunday last week, two days after his and ex-wife Pops Fernandez’s sold-out Missing You concert at the Big Dome on Feb. 6, Martin Nievera (left) flew to Bohol for a special, pre-Valentine concert at the Verdant Pavillion of the Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR, above), which was also a hit. Martin and company were so touched by the hospitality of PINR owner-manager Raymond Ong (and his family) that they decided to extend their stay at the seaside resort. ‘It was a grand debut,’ said Raymond of Martin’s ‘first time’ in Bohol. Coming soon: A repeat of the concert in December?

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