Ex-‘Wowowin’ intern recounts job under Willie Revillame: Bawal siyang tingnan

Standup comedian Dex Conche recounted his internship experience at “Wowowin,” claiming there was a rule prohibiting interns to speak to and even look at show host Willie Revillame.

Conche spoke about this during an episode of the “Walang Edit Edit” podcast on Monday, May 4, which also featured standup comedians Leland Lim, Jiego Perez, Pau Katigbak and Arlou Yuzon.

The topic was brought up after Yuzon made a mention of Revillame’s former TV program “Wowowee,” recalling how the show’s audience cheered and clapped enthusiastically while thanking Revillame.

Conche shared, “Nag-OJT ako do’n. I can confirm. Production intern ako.” (I did my OJT there. I can confirm. I was a production intern.)

It was later clarified that Conche was referring to “Wowowin” as he said he rendered his last internship day when the pandemic started in 2020. “Wowowee” ran from 2005 to 2010, while “Wowowin” aired from 2015 to 2023.

Perez then asked Conche if he had already seen Revillame in person.

“Bawal mo siyang tingnan (You are not allowed to look at him),” Conche disclosed, which surprised Lim who remarked, “Sino siya, si Lord?” (Is he God?)

Conche further explained, “May rule within the interns na sabi ng mga supervisors namin na [bawal siyang tingnan],” adding that talking to the TV host was also forbidden.

(There was a rule among the interns—our supervisors told us that we weren’t allowed to look at him.)

“Ayaw niya ng kumakausap ng intern. Tama naman, I guess?” Conche added. (He doesn’t like interns talking to him. I guess that’s fair?)

Expounding on his claim, Conche recalled how they were instructed not to go near Revillame whenever they would see him in the studio.

“Pagka magkaka-salisi kayo, umiwas ka ng tingin talaga kasi ang mafa-fire ay ‘yung supervisor namin,” he said. (If you happen to pass by each other, you really have to avoid eye contact because our supervisor would be fired.)

Further narrating his experience in the show, Conche added, “Pero iba ang power na intern/staff ka ng ‘Wowowin,’ kasi talagang sinasanto ka ng audience,” recounting how he would always get compliments from those who wanted to join the show’s games. (But there’s a different kind of power when you’re an intern or staff member of “Wowowin.”)

Clips of Conche’s statement have circulated on social media, with some alleging similar encounters with the TV host-businessman.

Revillame has yet to comment on the matter as of this writing. He was recently spotted meeting with GMA Network executives after announcing the upcoming return of “Wowowin,” which prompted some to speculate that his show will make a comeback on the Kapuso network. /edv