[SIZE="4"]Willing Willie goes off air; Revillame defends self from critics[/SIZE]
CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News
04/09/2011 | 02:25 PM
Controversial television host Willie Revillame may be leaving the industry amid pressure from fellow celebrities, various organizations and major advertisers after public protest at an incident on his show, where a crying six year-old was made to dance and was given money on the stage.
In last night's episode of "Willing Willie," the 50 year-old Revillame announced he would be taking a break to decide whether he would remain in the industry.
"Hanggang ngayon na lang po ako dito sa Willing Willie. Magpapahinga po ako, hindi po ako nagpapaalam...Starting Monday po, next week hanggang Holy Week, pag-iisipan ko pong mabuti kung ako po'y babalik pa sa industriyang ito. Bigyan niyo lang po ako ng pagkakataon at sa sarili ko pagiisipan ko po ito," he said.
Revillame then went on defending himself and attacking his critics. In his emotional speech, he named the personalities who had spoken against him on Twitter, asking them if they had done anything for the country.
"Kapwa tayo artista, nakagawa ba kayo ng tulong? Nagbigay ba kayo sa Bantay Bata ng isang milyon? Nagbigay ba kayo?" he said.
"Jim Paredes ng Apo, Leah Salonga, Aiza Seguerra, magpakalalake ka. Tandaan mo yan. Bata ka pa hindi ba nagtatrabaho ka na. Hindi ba? Hindi ba exploitation yan. Mag-isip ka. Tingnan niyo muna sarili niyo bago kayo magsalita. Agot Isidro. Wala ka namang anak eh bakit mo ako gaganyanin? Alamin mo muna. Bianca Gonzalez akala niyo kung sino kayo. May natulungan ba kayong mga mahihirap?" said Revillame, who also mentioned Leah Navarro, Tuesday Vargas, K Brosas and Mylene Dizon.
"How can a laos, old, over-the-hill guy like me destroy a sikat, powerful, rich Superstar like Willie? He did it all by himself," was Paredes' reaction on Twitter.
"Just got bombarded by a slew of tweets. To those who tweeted kind words of support, thanks. Much appreciated. And last I checked, it's actually a right of every person in this country to express an opinion, good or bad. We live in a democracy, and I'm grateful," said Lea Salonga on her Twitter account.
Agot Isidro chose to reply with lyrics from Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," tweeting "Coz I am beautiful in every single way, words can't bring me down..."
While Aiza Seguerra has not directly responded to Revillame's tirade, her supporters on Facebook were quick to defend her. "Aiza has done benefit shows & outreach programs but she doesn't brag about it because HELPING OTHER PEOPLE TRULY doesn't need to be broadcast & bragged about. Please try to research first before you start lambasting the person..." posted Facebook user Gia Terry on the singer's fanpage.
In his 25-minute speech, Revillame repeatedly challenged his critics to do something for the country.
"Nagbigay ako ng kalahating milyon, nang umuwi lang dito yung OFWs na walang ano sa Lebanon. Nagbigay po ako...binabanggit ko ba sa inyo yan. 'Di ba? meron bang gumagawa niyan? Kung may gumagawa man, mabuti. Magsama-sama tayo. Huwag niyo akong dikdikin. Hindi ako masamang tao. Ang hangad ko lang magpasaya at makatulong sa mgamahihirap," he said.
Revillame also stressed that the show had not been suspended, even though it is currently being investigated by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
According to Revillame, Willing Willie was supposed to be suspended but the decision was stopped after they showed performances in Going Bulilit and Showtime featuring dancers wearing skimpy clothing, with moves similar to Jan-Jan's.
Six year-old Jan-Jan Estrada was seen on the March 12 episode of Willing Willie, crying while dancing to the music of "Next Episode" by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. The video clip became viral online, drawing mixed reactions. Many were upset by the incident, including the Commission on Human Rights which has labeled the case as "child abuse."
The MTRCB will constitute a new Hearing and Adjudication Committee for the case after TV5 lawyers raised the issue of alleged impartiality of the Chairman and three members of the committee, who inhibited themselves. Singer Leah Navarro and lawyers Eric Mallonga and Eugenio Villareal will no longer be on the panel, as they have close links or relationships with a rival network involved in legal cases with TV5 and Willie Revillame. [See: Willing Willie lawyers attack MTRCB for bias]
In the meantime, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Del Monte Pacific Ltd., CDO Foodsphere Inc., Cebuana Lhullier Pawnshop and Unilever have pulled out their advertisements from Willing Willie. Individuals and groups have been adamant in their protest against the show, demanding Revillame's removal and threatening to boycott products of the show's sponsors.
Revillame has said that the show will go on with or without advertisers.
"Kahit po sakripisyo ko na ang sweldo ko. Yun po ang bibigay kong papremyo at kasama ko po ang TV5. Tutuloy po namin... kahit wala kaming commercial kahit inabandona kami ng mga commercial. Kahit walang isang commercial, tutuloy po namin to. Ang amin pong purpose pagbigay ng saya at pagasa," he said. — LBG, GMA News