Joey De Leon VS Willie Revillame

Just a brief backgrounder for my readers abroad. These two men host rivaling noon-time shows in the Philippines. Joey co-hosts EAT BULAGA for like a lifetime now. Willie on the other hand has hosted the show for a little over 2 years (?) So the story goes that Joey made a derogatory statement that Willie alongside the bigwigs of his home network are cheating their contestants in the show. Describing the contests and format of the two shows requires a whole different post. Well, the allegations stemmed from the second day of a new game segment in Willie's show WOWOWEE, called Willyonaryo. Videos of the instance of "cheating" were uploaded in Youtube. It shows Willie apparently showing to the audience the "wheel" that contains the number "2" representing the jackpot of two million, studio audiences, however saw  zero "0" instead. 

Willie expressed his dismay in the manner in which Joey is maligning his otherwise philanthropic efforts in the show, either on or off cam. Willie's show's edge is the cash that they easily give to contestants, contestants coming mostly from indigent homes. This greatly contributed to the shows rise in popularity and in program ratings. A thing that for years Eat Bulaga, Joey's show, enjoyed. Willie in between sobs strongly denied any deliberate efforts from the shows management and from his part to cheat the outcomes of the stakes. He also made side notes of his respect to Joey, being an icon in local TV. He thought that Joey could've handled the situation professionally or just did not comment altogether for the sake of the Filipinos they help financially through their show daily. Studio audiences were left teary eyed and agreed in unison for Willie.

Though no one is asking, Id like to say my two cents worth. For whatever its worth. Ive watched noontime shows as early my eyes developed its ultimate visual functions. I grew up knowing Joey De Leon. I loved their show not until recently that Wowowee came into the noontime showscape. I personally saw how they channel the donations of Filipino immigrants who come to Manila for vacation to their contests. Prizes set aside I think that what brought the crowd to Wowowee's side is their treatment to the contestants and the audience. Willie single handedly stressed the fact that the show is the common Filipinos show. That the show is the gathering of families and in effect all those who watch the show is a family. The masses didnt took long in noticing the comical yet family-like approach of the show.

The height of the show's popularity saw the revamp of hosts and MAJOR reformat of Eat Bulaga. All that Wowowee did they copied. Willie came up with a jingle called BOOM TARAT, Joey came up with ITAKTAK MO. Willie asked for DOLLAR donation from Filipino Immigrants in the audience in exchange for their on-TV greetings to their folks in the US, Joey's pack tried but failed miserably and were left with Ringgits, Ruppees and Bhats. Willie injects comedy in his short chat with contestants and asks them to show a bit of talent on TV, Eat Bulaga did it too yet it became as clear as day to many that their parroting WOWOWEE's old tricks. Joey and his gang have lost the battle and Joey's stopping at nothing to direct attention back to their show at any rate and at anybody elses expense - this latest act from him is so not an exemption. 

To Willie, I cried when you came out on TV with your rebuttal to Joey's allegations not because you cried and it was human to be teary eyed at the sight of sorrow, but because I know of Joey's motives and I feel for your frustration. Willie solely leads the show as opposed to Joey being just one in a dozen of lame hosts in Eat Bulaga.  Willie day in and out comes out with off the hook comic relief inspite of clear stress from trying to make the show lively. I cried Willie when you said that: Ikaw na ang mag host ng mag-isa at tumulong on and off cam. Translation: You cant do what I do daily (voicing to Joey). I host the show and help people daily on and off cam. Willie accepts his mistakes yet doesn't give in to bitter bickering to other people that outshines him. He admits to failed marriages yet champions the family - the indigent Filipino families in his show.

As for Joey De Leon, I wish you continued success in all of your endeavors. However, with all the things that you do peace and joy may have a hard time finding your doorstep. I just hope that your motive in coming out against WOWOWEE's anomalies is your concern for fairness and equal treatment of the poor people who depend their future in the show. Unfortunately, many people know better. Willie may have failed at times but you cannot put him down easily. He worked hard to gain the trust and following of millions. Negative lashings from a man like you wont do the trick. Eat Bulaga sucks WOWOWEE rules!