It will link Wil Tower and the ABS-CBN Compound: A bridge not too far

No, Willie Revillame has not burned the bridges that link him to his past, even if part of it may be somewhat, well, unpleasant.

At the formal opening of the mall of his Wil Tower last Sunday night, Willie revealed that he planned to have a hanging bridge built that would connect his Tower to the ABS-CBN compound, his former home studio just across the street. A bridge not too far, that is.

During his welcome speech, Willie profusely thanked ABS-CBN, setting aside whatever happened between them. The A-list guests included Kapamilya Korina Sanchez, former Vice Pres. Noli “Kabayan” de Castro, reporter Mario Dumaual, director Edgar Mortiz and wife Millette (sister of ABS-CBN lady boss Charo Santos-Concio).

Other guests were from both showbiz and politics, the latter led by former Sen. Manny Villar (Willie’s Wil Tower partner) and wife Sen. Cynthia Villar, Senate Pres. Frank Drilon, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and former First Lady/Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

Besides those mentioned earlier, other showbiz stars present were Willie’s former noontime show co-hosts Randy Santiago and John Estrada, Annabelle Rama and daughter Ruffa Gutierrez, Richard Gomez, Dr. Vicki Belo and daughter Cristalle Henares, and Ogie Alcasid and wife Regine Velasquez, and Willie’s daughter Meryll Soriano, and Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde with daughter-in-law Jynett Marie Monteverde (wife of Mother Lily’s son Goldwyn).

The downpour didn’t dampen the opening-day spirit. (The mall had its blessing last July 31.) After the cocktails, a fashion show was staged while guests were partaking of sumptuous dinner. The show featured the evening-gown collection of Rajo Laurel and the sexy collection of Charina Sarte. Regine rendered a song and so did Nina. Willie’s dancers also performed.

The Mall, which formally opened to the public yesterday, is among his businesses that will keep Willie busy after he bows out of his TV5 noontime show Wowowillie on Oct. 12 (a Saturday), three days earlier than the expiration of his contract on Oct. 15.

“I will attend to the construction of a five-star hotel on the lot that I bought (from the Madrigals) in Tagaytay (which offers a panoramic view of the lowlands),” Willie told Funfare. “Starting Oct. 15, Gina (Lopez) and I will do a project for the underprivileged. We will go to Sorsogon and visit several islands to provide livelihood projects.”
His private plane is available for charter flights (anybody interested?).

“My hands are full,” added Willie who is taking an indefinite leave from hosting which he has been doing non-stop for more than one decade. “I need it, I deserve it. I will also undergo an executive check-up and take a vacation.” In-between, he will just while his time away in his yacht.

Next year, the condo beside the Mall will be finished.

“It has 42 floors (with 600 units), the tallest building in Quezon City,” said Willie who has reserved floors 40, 41 and 42 as penthouse and the whole fourth floor at his disposal. “I will also have 39 units for myself.”

The studio and the theater(s) will take two years to finish.

Incidentally, Willie announced that the following establishments are now open for business at the Mall: The Spa, Draft Beer Bar, Italianni’s, My  Thai, Starbucks, Beyond The Box, Bench Body, Bench Fit, Vicki Belo’s Clinic, Fila, I Hop and a Japanese restaurant. More are set to open soon.

Asked if his partnership with Gina Lopez will pave the way for his return to ABS-CBN, Willie was mum.

“As of now,” he begged off, “I don’t want to think about showbiz.”

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