Willie Revillame facts for kids

Wilfredo "Willie" Buendia Revillame (born January 27, 1961) is a famous Filipino television host, actor, comedian, drummer, singer, and businessman. He has hosted many popular variety shows. Some of these include Lunch Date, 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, MTB, Wowowee, Wil Time Bigtime, Wowowillie, Wowowin, and Wil To Win.

Willie Revillame is well-known for his kind actions. He often gives away his special jackets, money, and other prizes. He shares these with audience members, show participants, and people who need help through his TV programs.

Willie Revillame's Entertainment Career

How Willie Revillame Started in Showbiz

Before becoming a host and actor, Willie Revillame started his career as a drummer. He appeared on GMA Network's noontime show Lunch Date from 1986 to 1993. He was one of the "hawi boys" for Randy Santiago.

Willie also acted in movies. One of his first films was Bobo Cop in 1988. He often played a sidekick to bigger stars. Later, he got a main role in the movie Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang Probinsyanong Wais.

In 1998, Willie moved to ABS-CBN. He joined the noontime show 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. After that show ended, he became a main host of Magandang Tanghali Bayan. He hosted alongside Randy Santiago and John Estrada. He also appeared in the comedy show Richard Loves Lucy. Other shows he hosted on ABS-CBN included Willingly Yours, Masayang Tanghali Bayan, and the first season of Pinoy Big Brother.

Willie Revillame and Wowowee

Willie Revillame became very famous for hosting Wowowee on ABS-CBN. This show aired from 2005 to 2010.

During Wowowee's run, a very sad event happened outside the PhilSports Arena in 2006. Many people were waiting to join the show's anniversary special. A large crowd gathered, and an accident occurred, leading to injuries and deaths. Willie Revillame expressed his sadness about this event.

Later, in 2007, there was a technical problem during a game segment called "Wilyonaryo." This led to discussions about fairness on the show. Willie Revillame also had a public disagreement with fellow TV host Joey de Leon from Eat Bulaga!.

On August 3, 2009, ABS-CBN decided to show the live funeral procession of former President Corazon Aquino. They aired it at the same time as Wowowee. Willie Revillame felt it was hard to make people happy when the country was mourning. He said he meant no disrespect to the former president or her family. He had asked if the show could be pre-recorded for the next day instead.

Wowowee aired its last episode on July 30, 2010. After this, Willie Revillame left ABS-CBN.

Willie Revillame's Shows on TV5

From 2010 to 2013, Willie Revillame hosted shows on TV5. These shows included Willing Willie, which was later renamed Wil Time Bigtime in 2011. He also hosted Wowowillie in 2013. After Wowowillie ended, he took a break from TV to focus on his businesses.

Willie Revillame's Return with Wowowin

In November 2014, Willie Revillame talked with the leaders of his first TV home, GMA Network. He wanted to bring his variety game show Wowowin back to TV. He got help from Joey de Leon and journalist Mike Enriquez. He officially returned to GMA Network by signing a contract on March 20, 2015.

Wowowin first aired on May 10, 2015. It was shown on Sunday afternoons. Because it became very popular, the show moved to weekdays starting February 1, 2016.

On February 5, 2022, GMA Network announced that Willie Revillame's contract would end soon. His show aired its final episode on GMA four days before his contract ended. He decided not to renew his contract with GMA. He chose to work with Manny Villar on a new network called Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS). Wowowin then continued as a livestream online starting March 15. It later returned to TV on All TV on September 13, 2022.

In 2023, Willie Revillame and Manny Villar agreed to end his contract with AMBS. This happened after Wowowin stopped airing on All TV. The show faced challenges like lower viewership and fewer advertisers. There were plans for Wowowin to return on government-owned networks PTV and IBC. However, these plans did not happen due to budget and equipment issues.

Willie Revillame's New Show: Wil to Win

On April 26, 2024, Willie Revillame returned to TV5 after 11 years. He signed a partnership with MediaQuest Ventures. During a live online talk on June 14, he announced his new show, Wil To Win. This meant the Wowowin name was officially retired. The first episode aired on July 14, 2024. It started with a special event called the "Wil-Come Back Party" at the New Frontier Theater. Regular shows began the next day.

Willie Revillame's Political Journey

Willie Revillame has been asked by former President Rodrigo Duterte to run for senator several times.

He was encouraged to run for a political position in the 2010 national elections. Comedian Dolphy advised him to think carefully. Dolphy said politics can be a challenging field. He suggested Willie keep making people happy and maybe consider politics later. Willie Revillame decided not to run at that time.

Willie Revillame and the 2022 Election

In October 2021, Willie Revillame decided not to run for the 2022 Senate election. He said he wanted to focus on hosting Wowowin. He also mentioned that he was not a lawyer and felt he lacked experience in making laws.

However, Willie Revillame strongly supported the Tutok To Win Party-List. This group was led by Sam Verzosa. The party-list aimed to win seats in the House of Representatives. Its name was the same as a popular segment on Willie's show Wowowin.

Willie Revillame and the 2025 Senate Election

Willie Revillame showed interest in running for Senator in the 2025 Senate election. He first mentioned this on January 30, 2024, during a gathering of former President Duterte's supporters. But in July 2024, he changed his mind. He said his three-year contract with TV5 prevented him from being involved in "politics."

Despite this, on October 8, 2024, Willie Revillame officially filed his papers to run in the 2025 election. He received permission from Manny V. Pangilinan, the chairman of MediaQuest and TV5. When asked about his lack of experience in lawmaking, Willie Revillame said that having "a heart open to helping others" is enough. He admitted he did not have a detailed plan for new laws.

Willie Revillame's Businesses

Willie Revillame is known for developing the Wil Tower. This is a tall building with homes, located across from the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City. He worked on this project with his business partner, former Senate President Manny Villar. The Wil Tower officially opened on September 15, 2013.

Willie Revillame also used to own restaurants called W Bar and Wil Steak Town. These were located near Wil Tower Mall and ABS-CBN in Quezon City. The Wil Tower Mall was built by the company Vista Land. Later, Willie Revillame sold his shares in these properties to Manny Villar.

In April 2015, Willie Revillame was interviewed at his rest house in Tagaytay. This was after he signed his contract with GMA Network. During the interview, journalist Jessica Soho mentioned that Willie Revillame planned to build a 5-star resort-hotel. This hotel would be on a 5-hectare (12-acre) piece of land he bought from the Madrigal family. His own rest house is also on this same land.

After the Villar family bought Advanced Media Broadcasting System, which got the old ABS-CBN TV frequencies, Willie Revillame was asked to invest. He was involved in the company's plans for new TV ventures.

Willie Revillame's Personal Life

Willie Revillame's hometown is Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija. He was first married to actress Princess Punzalan. In March 2005, he married Liz Almoro in a civil ceremony in Lipa, Batangas. This ceremony was led by then-Mayor Vilma Santos. They also had a church wedding in June 2005. Their marriage was later ended in 2008.

Willie Revillame has four children. They are Louise Anne, Juan Emmanuel (son of Liz Almoro), Marimonte Shanelle (daughter of Sharon Viduya), and his eldest, actress Meryll Soriano.

Willie Revillame's Awards

• Best Male TV Host (2005 and 2007) - Won
• Consumers Award Outstanding Variety Show (2008) - Won
• Consumers Award Outstanding Male TV Host (2008) - Won
• Novelty Singer of the Year (2010) - Won
• 2011 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Variety Show (for Willing Willie)
• Celebrity Inductee, Eastwood City Walk Of Fame Philippines 2014 - Won
• 2015 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (for Wowowin of GMA-7)
• 2015 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Male Game Show Host
• 2016 - Inding-Indie Short Film Festival - Best Public Service TV Personality
• 2016 - Inding Indie Short Film Festival - Best Public Service TV Program of the Decade (for Wowowin of GMA-7)
• 2016 - PMPC Star Awards for TV - Best Game Show (for Wowowin of GMA-7)
• 2016 - Illumine Awards for Television (Global City Innovative College) - Most Innovative Game Show (for Wowowin of GMA-7)
• 2017 - NwSSU Students Choice Awards for Radio and Television (Northwest Samar State University) - Best Game Show (for Wowowin of GMA-7)

See also

In Spanish: Willie Revillame para niños