Unruly crowd cuts short Wowowillie show in Ormoc City

CEBU, Philippines - The Wowowillie show last Sunday evening, staged in time for the 15th wedding anniversary celebration of Richard and Lucy Gomez, had to be stopped midway because of the unruly crowd.

An estimated 25,000 from this city and nearby towns, went rowdy, shoving each other’s way to the front to get jackets, cellphones and cash that host Willie Revillame was giving away for free.

Revillame’s appeals for the crowd to just cool it were ignored, and people were fainting one after the other, keeping busy the Red Cross volunteers and a group called SEGO who was in charge of the security.

After singing his hit songs, Revillame began picking out old people, pregnant women, parents who brought their small kids and persons with disability, and gave out goodies and cash to them.

Before the frenzied reaction of the crowd, Revillame urged them to vote for Liberal Party’s Richard Gomez for city mayor and Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez for congressman of the 4th district. He said the two were among his best friends in showbiz, and that they were good people and highly respected in the industry.

He also lauded Lucy for what she had done for city residents and the 4th district, a statement that Isabel (Leyte) town Mayor Saturnino “Jun” Medina, who was among the audience, had agreed to The Freeman.

Revillame then promised that, aside from bringing back the show to Ormoc if Richard wins, he would immediately donate P1million of his personal money to build a school building in the city.

Earlier before Revillame went up the stage, the show was preceded by a short entertainment from Richard and Lucy themselves, who regaled the audience with their love story.

The Liberal Party slate is composed of Leo Carmelo “Toto Jr.” Locsin (for vice mayor) and for councilors: Lito Cotiangco, Bennet Pongos, Gerry Penserga, Mayong Rodriguez, Roland Villasencio, Linda Sakai, Tommy Serafica, Emma Fiel, Goito Yrastorza III, and Vince Rama.  (FREEMAN)