Willie Revillame runs out of time, not cash

WILLIE Revillame

Controversial game show host Willie Revillame packed in more than 10,000 people at the Big Dome on Saturday, pulling off his much-anticipated six-hour anniversary bash with only one hitch: He ran out of time to give away all the prizes the variety show had in store.

After the carnival-like anniversary program of “Wil Time Bigtime” that ran from from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, five people went home with P100,000; two with P500,000; five with one brand new Foton vehicle, and two with a house and lot from Camella Homes courtesy of Sen. Manny Villar. More than 10 also got their numbers drawn to win P50,000 each after a live raffle. Many more won prizes in games or from simply swaying their hips in the show’s “kendeng kendeng” portion.

But for the home partner text promo, Revillame only managed to call up five winners of P50,000 because of time constraints. Millions in cash, five brand new cars, and another house and lot are expected to be given away to more home contestants in the show’s upcoming episodes this week.

But nobody went home empty handed. The 10,051 ticket holders, many of whom queued for hours outside the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City on Oct. 14, were handed loot bags containing five kilos of rice and groceries.

According to TV5’s Corporate Communications office, the prizes and freebies were from TV5, Wil Productions, and “Wil Time” sponsors.

Dubbed “Sama-Sama sa Unang Taon,” the show opened with an explosion of thumping beats, dancers in glittering garb, and neon lights.

The crowd erupted into cheers and roars as Revillame was slowly raised from below the stage, via a platform, playing a Latin percussion set.

In between the games and jokes, renowned local artists regaled the crowd: the Juan de la Cruz Band, Kitchie Nadal and Barbie Almalbis, Rapper Andrew E and Aegis and Kapatid star Aga Muhlach, among many others.

Shalani takes the stage

However, the highlight of the night was Shalani Soledad’s surprise sing and dance number.

“I never thought I’d see this in my life!” exclaimed Revillame in Filipino.

The usually demure Valenzuela City councilor was vixen-like in her sexy all-black ensemble, but looked nervous while performing Beyonce’s R&B dance tune “Crazy in Love.”

But despite Shalani’s nervy showing, the crowd found her effort endearing, and willed her on with hearty cheers and applause.

As expected, Revillame teased Shalani: “That’s the first time I’ve heard that song in slow-mo. Pwede pa lang love song ’yan? Galing mo, te!”

Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without a recap of the show’s most tear-jerking episodes. Revillame ordered the lights turned off, and asked the crowd to raise and wave their lighted cell phones in the air, before dedicating a song to all the impoverished people he has helped in the past year.

After the tribute, children with disabilities from the Kythe Foundation and the Make a Wish Foundation were invited on stage to receive a donation of P250,000 each from TV5 and Wil Productions, Revillame’s own production outfit.

To prevent a repeat of the tragic stampede that marred the “Wowowee” game show in the past, also hosted by Revillame, security was tight.

Over 2,000 police and security personnel had been deployed. Clinic stations were installed around the Big Dome, and at least eight ambulances were on standby in case of medical emergencies.

Throngs of eager fans who had trooped and camped outside the Smart Araneta Coliseum as early as Friday night, were let into the stadium starting at 10:45 a.m.