Poor Willie a ‘squatter’ at ABS-CBN

I was at ABS-CBN the other day and I was pleasantly shocked to see a dressing room distinctly different from the rest. It has a small TV set, the sofa has been turned into a bed (cramped though it is), the cabinet was packed full with rows of shirts and pants in hangers. In short, the dressing room was transformed into a small "living quarter."

It was empty when I peeped in but there’s a nameplate at the door: WILLIE REVILLAME. I asked around and learned that the Wowowee host has been living in that dressing room since he was "evicted" (by court order) from his own P18-M house at Ayala Heights, Quezon City, two weeks ago on the strength of an annulment case filed against him by his wife Liz Almoro.

Poor Willie is now an NPA (No Permanent Address), a virtual "squatter" at ABS-CBN. You don’t see the harrowing experience he’s going through when you watch him on Wowowee, do you? As usual, he’s his bubbly, lively self on camera, no tell-tale sign at all of the big burden on his shoulder, except two days ago when he seemed to choke a bit when a Bigatin 10 contestant shed tears because his own wife has left him. Small world, ‘no!

So how does the ABS-CBN "squatter" manage?

A kibitzer told Funfare that Willie orders his meals "by delivery," although often times his fans bring him food they themselves cook.

How long will his and wife Liz’s ordeal last?

Only the court can tell. Both parties are under a gag order, like the one a US court imposed on Dayanara Torres and Marc Anthony (now the husband of Jennifer Lopez) when their petition for divorce was granted.

Meanwhile, Willie is set to launch in today’s edition of Wowowee his new Christmas album entitled Namamasko Po which he himself is producing with Lito Camo. He will sing the cut Unang Pasko and I guess he will be moved to tears.

Come to think of it, will Willie (and/or Liz) have a Blue Christmas (away from each other, of course)?

In defense of Gina

Reacting to a Funfare item a few issues ago, a Gina Alajar defender said that Gina’s ex-husband Michael de Mesa (Eigenmann) is being "unfair" when he said on S-Files that he’s not happy with Gina’s continuous use of the surname Eigenmann now that their marriage has been annulled because he has a new love in his life.

Said Gina’s defender, "While the new girl has known Michael for only a few years, Gina spent all of 23 years with him, loving him and caring for him, taking care of their three sons (Ryan, Geoff and AJ), loyal and faithful and true, a martyr in the real sense of the word, while Michael, well, played around. Is it too much for Gina to continue using the surname Eigenmann even for the time being while, according to Michael, some papers are being sorted out? Come on, Michael, have a heart. Be fair!"

The Gina "defender" pointed out that all these years, Gina hasn’t been romantically linked to another man.

Oops! Take note, that’s not Funfare’s opinion. But I agree with Gina’s "defender" (who requested anonymity). She deserves a little "reward" (if not a trophy) for loyalty, doesn’t she?

What’s up?

• Reader Doc Dann Tuazon corrected Funfare’s report that a few times a Miss USA has relinquished her crown to another Miss USA in the Miss Universe pageant, citing a website entry that the USA has won the crown in these years: 1954, 1957, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995 and 1997.

• Congratulations to Filipino independent filmmakers Sari Dalena and Keith Sicat whose debut feature, Rigodon, won the Best Feature Film award at the Eighth International Panorama of Independent Filmmakers in Athens, Greece. Starring Joel Torre, Chin-Chin Gutierrez and Arthur Acuna, Rigodon has also been nominated at filmfests in New York, San Francisco and L.A., according to a report filed by reader Meyor Sanchez.

• You don’t have to be in the car or to carry a transistor radio around to listen to your favorite songs. Enjoying music anytime and anywhere is possible, thanks to the Nokia 2310 and Nokia 6070. Both pocket-sized mobile phones are equipped with built-in radio. Get a chance to win when you tune in to Wave 88.3, Jam 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5RT and 103.5 K Lite. All you have to do is answer the DJ’s questions correctly and win a premium gift pack from Nokia. Two lucky winners will be picked every day. Promo ends on Oct. 20.

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