Mr. Wowowee now Mr. Tourism

It’s confirmed: Wowowee host Willie Revillame (photo) has been enlisted as endorser of the Department of Tourism (DOT) which will feature him in the new posters and billboards proclaiming these 7,100 islands (high tide) as "Wowowee Philippines!" The previous DOT blurb, with Regine Velasquez as endorser, was "Wow Philippines!"

According to a Funfare DPA, Willie had a meeting last week with DOT people, led by DOT Secretary Ace Durano, to finalize the deal which will see Mr. Wowowee promoting tourism not only on posters and billboards but also during DOT-sponsored events here and abroad.

The idea of getting Willie as DOT endorser was inspired by a recent Funfare story about Wowowee being a favorite (a "must") destination among Balikbayans thrilled to say "Hi!" to their families and relatives abroad straight from the ABS-CBN Studio, beamed "live" to various places around the globe via The Filipino Channel.

Believe it or not, but the homecoming of a Balikbayan is not complete without a visit to Wowowee which plays up the Balikbayans’ presence in the studio by grouping them according to their places (abroad) of origin and inviting them to join the show’s fun contests (Biga-10, etc.). Most of the Balikbayans donate a few dollars which are in turn flowed back to the show’s mostly needy contestants.

On Wednesday, according to the Funfare DPA, Willie will be formally introduced as "Mr. Toursim" (something to that effect) at a press conference to be presided by Ace Durano.

Since he turned over a new leaf and became a "good boy," Willie has been enjoying a lot of success. Good karma.

Incidentally, Juan Emmanuel Almoro Revillame, first child of Willie and wife Liz Almoro, will be baptized on Sunday, Jan. 29, 3 p.m. at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City.