Willie is what makes Wil Time Bigtime tick

MANILA, Philippines - Noontime is a no-win situation in the television landscape because of Eat, Bulaga!. By this time, even those who don’t watch TV regularly is aware of this. Countless programs in other networks have attempted to compete against Eat, Bulaga! but to no avail.

TV host Willie Revillame has learned to acknowledge this the hard way, with great sacrifice, utmost humility and big gamble. Then competing fiercely against Eat, Bulaga! with Wowowee on ABS-CBN, he left the noontime landscape and bravely launched his own program in the early evening timeslot. Hence, Wil Time Bigtime was born on TV5.

Armed with staff, crew and talents who loyally went with him to a different network, Willie relentlessly produced Wil Time Bigtime which went up against the news programs of major networks. In a different light, he was able to offer an alternative programming far from the blood, gore, violence and crime that most viewers contend with in the news.

What many surmised as a program that will last only for several months, Wil Time Bigtime has managed to prove its naysayers wrong. Today, two years later, the show continues to exhibit its staying power. For six days a week, audiences continue to flock to the studio to witness the show live. The excitement in the early evening, live viewers attest, is incomparable.

Wil Time Bigtime does not bank on big-name guests for its daily come on. As Willie repeatedly emphasizes to the audience, “Kayo po ang bida dito.” So for the daily show, interesting, amusing and larger-than-life stories of all kinds grace your TV sets.

The main attraction that takes up a major part in the timeslot of the program is the much-awaited Kantanong portion. Everyday, there is a different yarn that unfolds in the show, with true feelings, genuine emotions and real tears. It’s more than watching a teleserye. In Wil Time Bigtime, real drama happens right before your very eyes. At times, it’s a tearjerker that definitely doesn’t require a second take.

Take for instance the love story of this vertically challenged lady who has a love child with a normal guy. The kid is growing up and the girl’s fervent dream is to tie the knot with the guy so she can proudly keep his name.

Wil Time Bigtime generously financed their church wedding, complete with entourage and reception. Yes, the girl got to don a wedding gown as she walked down the aisle thus realizing her dream. The money that Willie gave to the couple for their big day meant a lifetime of memories they will never forget.

Wil Time Bigtime also fulfills dreams, reunites families and helps contestants realize their potentials or for some, self-worth. To others, the show meant starting a better life or rediscovering their talents.

A pretty and talented lady contestant openly expressed her desire to apply as a dancer in the show. The next day, she was taken in and continues to earn a living by working as a dancer in Wil Time Bigtime up to this day.

Another contestant had a bad experience working as an OFW and was forced to return to the country jobless. Willie readily offered her a job in the show as production assistant.

Wil Time Bigtime features all kinds of contestants in the much-awaited Kantanong portion. There are farmers, housemaids, traffic enforcers, dance groups, talented five-year-old kids, OFWs, working students, models, senior citizens, aspiring singers and many others. The heart-rending life stories affect even the viewers who are inevitably moved to tears.

What’s nice about Wil Time Bigtime is that it doesn’t limit itself by any network war. Willie refuses to be hindered by this. He makes no big deal if an artist promotes any show, film or record and mentions it on the air.

Saturdays are special weekend treats for Wil Time Bigtime viewers. Starting from the opening number, big surprises are in store for the audience. There’s Insta Jam which features top singers crooning pop hits. Then celebrities get to ham it up in the Kantanong portion.

One recent Kantanong segment featured Nanette Inventor, Jacqui Magno, Tillie Moreno, Malu Barry, Dulce and Vernie Varga who did not just play but gamely performed their respective hit songs.

Willie is supported by female co-hosts in the show, but it’s Mariel Rodriguez who is the seasoned one in the team. They were together since Wowowee that’s why Mariel is so comfortable working with Willie. She has been with Wil Time Bigtime for a little over a year now.

When Willie is not around, Mariel admirably knows how to run the show. From Agad-Agad to Kantanong to the game portions of the sponsors, Mariel can fill in Willie’s shoes with ease.

Also in the team is first time co-host Camille Villar. Except perhaps for her occasional TV appearances with her dad Manny Villar or mom Cynthia, Camille hasn’t tried TV hosting prior to her foray into the show. But even if she is a novice on TV much more in showbiz, Camille has adapted well in her new job. She has managed to come out of her shell and has adjusted well in TV hosting. Today, she can readily team up with Mariel in hosting Wil Time Bigtime.

Two other ladies who are co-hosting the show are Cindy and Lovely. In no time they are set to shine on their own.

Anna Feliciano is the “mother” of all the dancers in the show, being a veteran choreographer that she is. She trains and teaches them all the moves, be it for sponsors, opening number or game portions. That’s why she also gets to choose the groups who will compete in the Family Apir game portion.

Anna gets taunted a lot by Willie every chance he gets. Sometimes, even her young boyfriend inevitably gets to be the butt of jokes, but Anna never gets mad. Nor does she get even. She takes all the jokes lightly, never frowns but always with a smile.

This month, Wil Time Bigtime started its month-long celebration of its second anniversary. Big prizes have been lined up for studio audiences and home viewers. There are houses and lots, vehicles and daily cash prizes that will all go to lucky viewers. The show is poised to change the lives of its viewers all for the better.

Last June, Wil Time Bigtime already invaded the US and staged separate, well-received and successful shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. More shows abroad are lined up in the coming months. There is one in Dubai in November. We won’t be surprised if the team sets to conquer more destinations worldwide.

As Wil Time Bigtime celebrates its second anniversary, the show is poised to conquer new and greater heights in the TV landscape. It goes without saying that the show is also set to help more people. As Willie keeps on saying, “Hangga’t buhay ako, may Wil Time Bigtime.”