Will Willie’s Wowowin be 24 Oras’ pre-programming?

MANILA, Philippines - In last Friday’s episode (and the following episodes after that) of Eat, Bulaga!, host Joey de Leon virtually endorses Willie Revillame as the perfect choice to take the 5:00-6:30 p.m. timeslot Monday through Friday before the GMA early-evening newscast 24 Oras. In fact, the newscast’s main anchor, Mike Enriquez, is said to be in favor of Joey’s ‘endorsement.’

Willie Revillame: Back with a vengeance…soon? – Photo by VER PAULINO

If ever that happened, it would totally change TV programming and bring back the good old days when our early evenings were ushered in by the variety show Oras ng Ligaya (with the late Oscar Obligacion as host). It would be a welcome respite from the avalanche of Koreanovelas that have been bombarding us without let-up, and a perfect foil to the often depressing stories that fill up newscasts.

Like Joey and Mike, I hope that the GMA management would consider the idea seriously. Gone from television for more than a year, Willie is sorely missed by fans and the masa who have been looking forward to again competing in the game shows and just going home with a jacket and pocket money given away as pakimkim by Willie.

As The STAR reported several issues back, a secret negotiation has been going on between GMA and Willie (who has been mum about it) and the only thing being discussed was the timeslot. If the 12 noon-2 p.m. slot, Willie’s show (titled Wowowin?) would run right smack against ABS-CBN’s ASAP. Hmmm, a neck-and-neck fight in the ratings game, wouldn’t it be?

Remember the noontime game show Showbiz With The Salvadors that lorded it over the ratings during the first few years of Martial Law?

All together now: Happy days are here again, are here again…