DEREK RAMSAY, left, is met by enthusiastic fans at LAX. photo by Marinel R. Cruz
LOS ANGELES, California—Crescencia Go waited for over four hours at the LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) just so she could have some snapshots taken with TV game show host Willie Revillame.
Go, 64, said this was the first time she got excited about a Filipino celebrity.
The host of “Wil Time Bigtime” flew in Thursday to lead the launch of TV5’s two international channels—Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International—in North America.
An office assistant at a financial firm in Panorama City, Go had taken a leave from work just to see Revillame: “My husband is also a fan of Willie’s. He wanted to come, but he couldn’t leave work. We just made sure to buy tickets to Willie’s show.”
A large group of Filipinos had gathered at the LAX by the time Revillame arrived at 10 p.m. Cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo, who was here to watch the “American Idol Season 11” grand
At right, Vicki Belo greets Willie Revillame. photo by Marinel R. Cruz
finale, had been at the airport for over an hour.
The Belo Medical Group was among the advertisers that pulled out of “Willing Willie” (the show’s former title) in the wake of a controversy involving a 6-year-old contestant in April 2011. “’Di naman kami nagkatampuhan. Willie and I are good friends. I came here to say hello,” said the celebrity doctor, who was scheduled to fly home to Manila soon after.
“Wil Time Bigtime” cohosts Mariel Rodriguez and Camille Villar, actor Derek Ramsay and News5 head Luchi Cruz-Valdez were in the same Philippine Airlines flight as Revillame. Actress Nora Aunor had flown in a day earlier.
“Wil Time Bigtime” was held at the Shrine Auditorium on May 26. It also featured Ruffa Gutierrez and Aga Muhlach.
SF launch
CAMILLE Villar poses for a snapshot with greeters.
A second launch is scheduled at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on June 2. Expected to join the event is TV5’s newest contract artist, Rufa Mae Quinto.
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph