Willie Revillame or Robin Padilla for "Wowowee"?

Robin Padilla’s introduction to the top-rat-ing noontime show “Wowowee” last Saturday as its special host not only stirred up the interest of the televiewers but, evidently, of the online communities as well. In fact, Robin and “Wowowee” made it to the Twitter trending topics worldwide. Robin Padilla landed in the Top 5, while “Wowowee” is on the Top 10.

Truly worth buzzing about, Robin quickly received a warm applause from the audience upon sharing a touching opening message. “Ang ‘Wowowee’ ay inspirasyon sa lahat ng mga Pilipino. Sapagkat sa dinami-dami ng mga pagsubok na pinagdaanan nito, nananatili itong nakatayo at may tikas na tindig,” Robin said.

“Alam naman po nating lahat na ang ‘Wowowee’ ay para sa inyo. Ang kaligayahan ninyo ang importante. Hindi po ang kaligayahan namin. Mahal na mahal po naming kayong lahat,” he added.

On his first day, “Idol Robin” threw the audience a grand treat. He delivered an action movie-inspired opening number, serenaded the TFC subscribers with the song “Miss na Miss Kita,” and handed out roses to some TV audience.

The segment Willie of Fortune also had a “Robin Padilla Special,” which featured Robin’s movie sidekicks and leading ladies through the years. Celebrity guests included comedians Hyubs, Jeffrey Tam, and Dennis Padilla, as well as onscreen partners Donita Rose, Toni Gonzaga, and Vina Morales.

In the middle of the show, Robin candidly shared some of the feedback he was getting from friends, saying that he looked nervous onscreen. But Robin immediately cleared this up, saying: “Ang katotohanan po ay hindi naman ako ninenerbyos. Kaya lang s’yempre po tayo po ay action star. Tayo po ay sanay tumambling. Mahirap naman pong gumugulong ako pabalik d’yan. Kaya po sa lahat ng sumusuporta maraming salamat po sa inyong mga text.”

Watch out for more of special host Robin’s surprises as he continues to co-host “Wowowee” with Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Carmen Soo, Kelly Misa, Isabelle Abiera and Jed Montero, from Mondays to Saturdays, right after “Showtime” on ABS-CBN.

Actually, there is already a clamor for Robin to remain as host of “Wowowee” even after his two-week stint in the show ends. But Robin is an action star, not a TV host, so it’s rather a remote possibility that he would yield to such clamor to stay with the show.

Meanwhile, the call for Willie Revillame to be ousted from “Wowowee” continues to swell big in a Facebook link. Many people really want him out of the show. They say that success has gone to his head and that he is throwing his weight around as if he owns ABS-CBN. Meanwhile, people are still waiting for what course of action ABS-CBN will take with regards to the bold declaration of Willie that he would quit “Wowowee” if Jobert Sucaldito is not junked by ABS-CBN.

Who will win out in the end? Whose eyes would blink in this war?

* * *

We heard this rumor that the staff of the newly-launched showbiz talk show in a network is reportedly not getting compensated. We heard from the grapevine that the staff had been grumbling because of the failure of the network to give them their salaries for five weeks now.

There is also this rumor that two writers of the show were given their walking papers because the show could no longer afford to pay them. We wonder if this is true. And if it is, it’s a pity because the salaries are a deemed a pittance compared to the staggering talent fees that the network reportedly gave their celebrity hosts.

* * *

Anne Curtis has been the endorser of Natasha for the past two years. And this year, the company has made shopping even more exciting, fun, and convenient through its DVD catalog.

You can now shop to your heart’s content, in the comfort of your own home, by just playing the DVD. Aside from the monthly printed catalog (a fashion catalog which features apparels, shoes and accessories and Natasha Beauty which showcases make-up, fragrances and personal care products), the DVD format gives a clearer picture and detailed description of the products

Apart from Anne, who models ladies’ apparel, other Natasha celebrity endorsers are Mickey Ferriols, who endorses Maxi for plus-sized women, and Brent Javier for men’s underwear.

For effect, in her new movie titled “In Your Eyes,” Anne will be playing the role of a Natasha dealer. The movie co-stars her former boyfriend Richard Gutierrez and new Kapuso star Claudine Barretto.

Anne will leave for the US for the filming of “In Your Eyes” and when she returns, she will be doing a teleserye for the Kapamilya network. While she has not yet been given the go-signal to divulge the details regarding the new TV project, she has confirmed that she’s definitely doing one for the network soon.