(Updated) The Wowowee Scandal (Complete Story)
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August 20, 2007. The day the controversy started. Wowowee host Willie Revillame "accidently" pulled zero (0) instead of (2) in the "Wilyonaryo" segment of the said popular noontime program. Viewers were rattled why there were two numbers in the box. From then on, Wowowee, as well as the ABS-CBN network that airs the show, has been associated by judgmental people to the words "anomaly," "magician," "fraud," "cheating" and "scam." Phenomenal Wowowee songs such as Boom Tarat Tarat and A-do-do-do jokingly turned into "Boom Daya Daya" and "Adododo, Ada-Daya, ahahah" respectively.
Some accused that they also do that in one of the show's popular segment, Pera o Bayong.
Here's the transcript and the video of what happened:
Mariel Rodriguez: Ayon wa-lang laman.
Willie: Mali , Mali , Mali . Sandali. Ang P2 milyon ay (habang binubunot niya sa likod ng wheel) Eto pala.
Mariel Rodriguez: Hawak mo pala Pappy.
Willie: Ayon hawak ko pala, Alright ayan po ang 2 Milyon (P2,000,000).
August 23, 2007. It actually took two to three days before the said controversy has been feasted on. They actually had to wait for the video of the particular episode to be uploaded on Youtube.
One forumer by the name of swtpnay explains that she believes there was no alleged cheating. To quote from PEX thread: "Mukhang honest mistake lang ito. nahila ni willie yong papel na nakasulat yong #2 at sa ilalim nito ay 0. ang naiisip ko ay lahat ng boxes ay 0 and they randomly pick colors to put whatever prize over para matakpan ang 0, considering na mas marami ang 0s. in other words, ang base ng lahat ng boxes ay 0. i really didnt think big of it kasi nga bagong game at marami na ring malfunctions ang nangyari." She makes sense with her statements.
I've already heard that some hosts of Eat Bulaga, Wowowee's rival show, were quoted as saying, "Dito walang dayaan." At one point, I've found a video which EB's longtime host Joey de Leon was caught saying, "Lilinawan ko lang. Kitang-kita mo ko. Kita mo bibig ko, kita mo mga kamay ko, Walang kadaya-daya. Hindi ko tinatago. Ah okay ah! Eto ah! Ayan ah! Linis oh!" (Audience claps.) You can watch the video HERE.
People's Taliba has reported about the incident, and according to the news article, there were already complaints forwarded to MTRCB. The controversy was regarded not an entertainment news, but a breaking national news as far as People's Journal Online is concerned.
August 24, 2007. Wowowee co-host Mariel Rodriguez aired her side on the alleged scam. To quote from a PEP article: "I think bago kasi 'yung game. So, siguro kulang pa lang sa polishing. I mean, bago kasi 'yung game and that was only second time we did it. But one thing is for sure, wala namang dayaang naganap or whatever. 'Tsaka sa machine kasi, so hindi namin lahat nakokontrol 'yung mga nangyayari."
On this day, ABS-CBN Management had yet to issue an official statement, but they already stressed that it was an honest mistake.
August 25, 2007. One tabloid has reported that the Wowowee scandal has been eyed for an investigation by the Senate, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Manila Bulletin also reported that some viewers already complained to MTRCB.
August 29, 2007: On Joey de Leon's column in Manila Bulletin, he was quoted as saying, "Alam nyo, may art din ‘yung pagsundot at patama. But naturally, all these are "tuksuhan lang." Tayong lahat ay may mga pinagsamahan. Magkikita at maaring magkasama rin tayo balang araw. Kaya, walang pikunan. Paliwanagan lang. Biruan lang. Teasing is not bad. Cheating is… on TV!" The whole content of Joey de Leon's article entitled "Transfer-mers!" actually focused mainly on one former known Kapuso who transferred to the Kapamilya network.
Willie Revillame, through his show Wowowee, aired his sentiments over Joey de Leon's "patama" to him and to the show. (Joey de Leon has actually been very good giving snide remarks not just to Willie and to Wowowee, but to other ABS-CBN programs and talents in the past).
Quotable quotes from Willie: "Pinipersonal po ako ni Joey de Leon eh... Alam mo Joey ang laki ng respeto ko sa 'yo...Yung ratings sa inyo na yan, Kayo na #1.... Pare-pareho lang tayo nagkakaso eh, di ba? Sa kin nga sexual harrassment lang eh.... Kala mo napakalinis mong tao... Sa konsensya ko, hindi po ako nandadaya. Hindi ko po magagawang mandaya."
August 30, 2007. I guess, this is the climax of the story, when viewers glued themselves switching channels, to get some scoop on Wowowee controversy and important characters gave their own statements. Also at this point, you can conclude that the whole story is not about the Wowowee scam, but it's actually a battle between the two hosts, Willie Revillame vs. Joey de Leon.
On this day, Joey de Leon answered Willie's allegations. During his interview on DZBB with Ali Sotto and Arnold Clavio, Joey de Leon has described his rival as "magaling mag-drama", "walang alam," "mababaw," "traidor", "malansa", "sinungaling", "animal", "bobo", and "mayabang."
Joey then aired his side on his noontime show Eat Bulaga in a more composed and decent manner than his radio guesting. Quotable quotes from Joey: "May isang nilalang at kaluluwa na siniraan ang inyong lingkod at kung anu-ano ang mga nasabi....Hindi pa po pinapaliwanag nitong taong 'to bakit nagkagulu-gulo...Kaibigan, (addressing to Willie of course), explain before you complain. Binalewala mo ang gusto ng mga Pilipino na sumusubaybay sa 'yo.... Pag-aralan mong umiyak nang may luha... Mga taga-Senado nga pala, alam n'yo inuuna nyo 'yang "Hello Garci!" Bakit hindi nyo muna unahin 'tong "Hello Papi!?" Joke lang..Joke..Joke lang yan.. Joke!" (EB audience cheered and clapped)
The same day, on Wowowee again, Willie responded: "Kaibigan, kumusta ka diyan? Kaibigan, Kaibigan, wala akong dapat i-explain dahil walang nagko-complain. Kaibigan, hindi mo na kailangan ang senado, ang kailangan mo bayan, buong tao. Kaibigan, 'di ko na kailangang gumamit pa ng senado, kaibigan, tao kakampi ko. Kaibigan, manood ka, lolo na to, 46, lolo ka na rin...Tatlong taon pa lang ang programang ito mga Kapamilya, minahal na ng buong mundo. Magmula ngayon, ang tawagan natin, kaibigan. Sabi niya nga, hindi pa ito tapos, HINDI PA TALAGA 'TO TAPOS!! Ipaglalaban natin ang katotohanan, buong bayan, hindi ko kailangan ang senado, ang kailangan ko kayong mga totoong tao sa buong mundo."
Later in the afternoon, ABS-CBN Management has finally issued an official statement, stressing that there's no cheating on Wowowee's Wilyonaryo.
Television news program like 24 Oras and TV Patrol World probed deeper on the said controversy, having reported that some members of the Senate would like to investigate on the matter. They interviewed the Department of Justice (DOJ), DTI and the MTRCB. The DTI said it's beyond their control, but only under a special committee. MTRCB stressed that there should be formal complaints.
ABS-CBN Head for TV Production Cory Vidanes also gave her statement on the controversy. Nelson Canlas of 24 Oras reported that Willie Revillame expressed that he doesn't need the Senate because the people, (the taumbayan) are on his side.
August 31, 2007. Inquirer.net reports that Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II is filing a resolution to investigate on the alleged cheating in Wowowee.
DTI has decided to make a special investigation on the Wowowee scandal regarding the contestant selection, elimination process and the game itself. They would be inviting Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas (KBP), NTC and MTRCB to be part of the investigation next week. DTI, thru Usec Zenaida Malaya also stressed that they need a "formal" complaint, which means a verified complaint, the identity of the complainant is known. ABS-CBN expressed they're open and willing for any investigation and dialogue.
Wowowee host Willie Revillame had a special meeting with MTRCB Chair Consoliza Laguardia. Joey de Leon was supposed to be part of the meeting, but due to conflict in schedule, he failed to attend. According to Ms. Laguardia, she wanted the two hosts to make peace, because she believes Willie and Joey should serve as role models to the Filipinos.
TV Patrol World reported that a Manuel Quezon University professor by the name of Bayani Santos, Jr. personally handed a letter to Senator Mar Roxas, who chairs Trade Committee in the Senate. Prof. Santos is requesting for an investigation of the incident by the senate. He wanted to know if it was a glitch or a switch.
September 01, 2007- Willie Revillame wanted to settle differences with Joey de Leon. "I'd just like to thank Chairman Laguardia, kinausap niya ako kagabi. Tama, peacemaker po talaga siya. Chairman, maraming salamat sa mga payo ninyo sa akin at susundin ko po iyon. Pasensiya na po kung nagiging emosyonal ako sa mga pangyayari sa buhay ko. Sa araw-araw po kasi na nandito ako, siyempre sa pagod, sa lahat na po, nadadala kami sa emosyon. Pero magmula po ngayon, open na ako.....Magbati na tayo, aking kaibigan. Pasensiya ka na, nadala lang ng emosyon. Pero ikaw pa rin ang aking inspirasyon dahil ikaw ang tunay na institusyon. Eat Bulaga! kayo ang tunay na number one! "
However, it seems Joey isn't ready yet to reconcile with Willie. On Eat Bulaga, he even sang his new composition, "Bakit Dalawa ang Numero?" obviously referring again to the controversial incident on Wowowee last August 20.
Startalk's interview with its very own host, Joey de Leon. Lorna asked Joey, "May galit ka ba kay Willie?" Joey answered, "Alam mo wala eh. Ako nga'y nagulat na galit na galit siya eh...Kung mapapansin niyo, sa araw-araw at mula nung nagreact ako nung first day, dinadaan ko sa biro. Actually hindi ko dinadaan, sinasadya. Talagang biniro ko na lang, dahil hindi naman away eh. Nagulat ako, at nagulat ako dahil ako napagtuonan ng galit ni Willie. Ni hindi ko nga binabanggit ang pangalan, kita mo hanggang ngayon...Ah Oo, ni kaibigan, ni pare..Lahat ng sinabi niya, noong araw na nagbulalas siya ng mga galit niya, kaya lang parang ang totoong feeling ko, binastos ako sa buong mundo...Wala...Walang galit sa kin..Naawa pa nga ako sa kanya dahil parang hirap na hirap siya eh...parang ang feeling ko pa nga lang nun, parang ako nagamit eh....Baligtad pa nga yung ibang diyaryo, ako pa nangggamit eh. Diyos ko, sa tagal kong ito, ako pang manggagamit. Actually isa lang dun sa mga sinabi niya ang medyo ano ko pare, yung inulit mo yung ULTRA na nagagaganon daw ako, medyo parang siniraan mo ko dun..Bat ko gagawin 'yon? Mabait akong tao talaga kung tutuosin eh...Pilyo ako, ano ko eh, counter puncher ako eh. Pag tinira mo ko, humanda ka na. Wag ka magagalit pare ah....alam mo totoong may kayabangan ka eh." You can watch the full interview HERE.
Startalk host Lolit Solis advised Joey not to make peace with Willie because it will hide the real issue on the Wowowee scam. She said, "Bat ka makikipagbati? Inumpisahan niya (Willie), eh di tapusin niya!"
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In my opinion, digging deeper into this issue would not help in the progress of our country. It would just ruin the image of our country as a whole, if the people would continue to believe that there is indeed cheating. Local award-giving bodies have already been accused of cheating, the Philippines have been accused the same thing during the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, it happened during the previous elections and even in licensure examinations. It happens everywhere. The best solution to this problem, is just to move on and to correct the problem. The show has already corrected the problem. Now, the senate will spend hours, days and weeks or months investigating on the issue, when they have other priorities than that. (Joey de Leon has indeed succeeded in calling the senate's attention).
As far as this latest episode is concerned, I have to say that both instances has its merits and demerits.
ReplyDeleteEvents:
1. A game show segment from a viewers point of view was rigged from the start as evidenced by the video footage.
2. A TV personality wrote his article on a National Broadsheet after a week of absence from the country ending his article with, "Teasing is not bad. Cheating is… on TV!" No names were mentioned in said article.
3. Game Show host reacts like a brat and "cried" on national television targeting TV Personality on a personal level and repeatedly named TV personality the program he works on and the network he appears in. This tirade went on in between "sobs" for 10 minutes or so. During his outburst, no explanation about the incident happened except him stressing several times that he is not a cheater.
4. TV Personality reacts without mentioning names and calls on the game show host to explain before he complains and stated "bato-bato sa langit tamaan wag magagalit." Jokingly ended his monologue asking the Senate to forget "Hello Garci" and instead focus on "Hello Papi!"
5. Immediately, game show host reacted that he doesn't need the senate since he has the support of the people.
6. The network of game show host explains that there was a technical glitch on that portion of the game show citing that since it was new, they still have to work out the quirks and apologizes to the viewing public. Still no explanation how the glitch came about and how come there are two numbers in one box or was it a wheel? This statement came out a week after the incident and after the news broke out on the newspapers, blogs, radio and word of mouth.
6. August 31, 2007, the senate reacts and will look into the controversy.
I am not taking sides on this issue but it's clear based on what transpired who is the more intelligible personality of the two. One maybe viewed as a taunter and the other a "pikon."
I agree however that an explanation with a substantiated apology is warranted to clear any misconception about the alleged rigging of the Game Show hosts' portion in his TV program. His personal attack on the TV personality is baseless and diversionary since he was not mentioned by name in any of the taunts made by the TV personality.
The contestant in that portion of the show was going home with an accumulated amount of P137 thousand since she chose the offer instead of going for the jackpot anyway. And in the spirit of fair play, they showed where the big money prize was. This is where the faux pas transpired. This is where an explanation is needed.
The bottom line, there was an incident which warrants an explanation. People reacted including the TV personality in his "pilyo" kind of way. The senate for lack of focus will delve into the issue. For what reason you may ask? I dare not say. What I can say is that it would be a waste of senate priorities and tax payers' money. We the people need more from the Senate than resolving an issue which the DTI and the MTRCB can solve. Come to think of it, what has the senate done for us lately?