Wowowee

Wowowee (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˌwaː.wɐˈwiː]) is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by ABS-CBN. Hosted by Willie Revillame, the show was aired from February 5, 2005 to February 4, 2006 replacing MTB: Ang Saya Saya and was replaced by Alay sa Kapamilya. The show returned from March 11, 2006 to July 30, 2010 replacing Alay sa Kapamilya and was replaced by Pilipinas Win Na Win.

Wowowee
Title card
Genre	Variety show, comedy
Created by	ABS-CBN Studios Willie Revillame
Developed by	ABS-CBN Studios Edgar "Bobot" Mortiz Willie Revillame
Directed by	Johnny Manahan Bobet Vidanes
Presented by	Willie Revillame and others
Opening theme	"Wowowee" by Lito Camo (2005-2006) "Wowowee" by Willie Revillame (2006-2010)
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	Filipino (primary) English (secondary)
No. of episodes	1,687 (313 [first iteration], 1,374 [second iteration])
Production
Executive producers	Cynthia Jordan Harold Nueva
Production locations	Studio 3, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center Quezon City, Metro Manila
Running time	1 hour and 30 minutes (weekdays, 2005-2006) 1 hour and 45 minutes (weekdays, 2006-2007) 2 hours (Saturdays, 2005-2007) 2 hours and 30 minutes (Saturdays, 2006-2007; weekdays, 2007-2010) 3 hours (Saturdays, 2007-2010; Mondays to Saturdays, 2010)
Production companies	ABS-CBN Studios Wil Productions, Inc. (now WBR Entertainment Productions Inc.)
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	February 5, 2005 (2005-02-05) – February 4, 2006 (2006-02-04) (first iteration)
Release	March 11, 2006 (2006-03-11) – July 30, 2010 (2010-07-30) (second iteration)
Related
Willing Willie / Wil Time Bigtime Wowowillie Wowowin Wil To Win

Cast

Main host

• Willie Revillame (2005–2010)

Co-hosts

• Iya Villania (2005–2006)
• Kat Alano (2005–2006)
• Janelle Jamer (2005–2007)
• Cheena Crab (2005–2007)
• Mariel Rodriguez (2006–2010)
• Valerie Concepcion (2007–2010)
• Pokwang (2007–2010)
• Roxanne Guinoo (2007)
• Janna Dominguez (2007–2008)
• Precious Lara Quigaman (2007–2008)
• RR Enriquez (2008–2010)
• Carmen Soo (2010)
• Max Collins (2010)
• Jed Montero (2010)
• Kelly Misa (2010)

Guest hosts

• Kris Aquino (2005; 2008; 2009)
• Amy Perez
• Korina Sanchez
• Dolphy (2009)
• Robin Padilla (2010)
• Edu Manzano (2007–2010)
• Maricel Soriano (2007)
• Billy Crawford (2010)
• Kim Atienza (2010)
• Luis Manzano (2010)
• Cesar Montano (2010)
• Gabby Concepcion (2009, 2010)
• Vice Ganda (2009)
• John Lloyd Cruz (2008, 2010)
• KC Concepcion (2010)
• Randy Santiago
• Dennis Padilla (2010)
• Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo (2008–2010)

Featuring

• Wowowee Dancers (formerly ASF Dancers) (2005–2010)
• Kembot Girls (2010)
• ASF Boys (2005–2010)
• Wowowee Girls (2005)
• Bentong (2005–2010)
• Luningning (2008–2010)
• Saicy Aguila (2008–2010)
• Mariana del Rio (2008–2009)
• Priscilla Meirelles (2008–2009)
• Ariana Barouk (2008–2009)
• Sandra Seifert (2008–2009)
• Nina Jose (2008–2009)
• Owen Ercia (Jimmy Santol) (2005–2010)
• DJ Coki (2007–2010)
• DJ Mod (2005–2007; 2010)

Segments

Cash Motto

In the Cash Motto segment, a random studio audience member who sent in a motto played a game with winnings up to PHP1,000,000. The contestant had one minute to grab as much cash in the air in a secluded capsule. They could not take peso bills while it is on the tank itself. The contestant was provided a broom to loosen up the money, so more would fly in the air. The amount of money they collected was what they kept. If the total amount of money grabbed reached PHP40,000 or over, the contestant received a Wowowee videoke along with the money they grabbed. Another random studio audience member was chosen after the segment. This second audience member did not get to play the game, but had to guess how much money the first audience member grabbed. The co-hosts usually gave a hint on the range. The contestant had up to three chances to guess how much was won. If the contestant guessed the correct amount, they won whatever the other player won. If they failed to guess, they still won PHP1,000 for being chosen.

Hep, Hep, Hooray

Twenty (previously ten) random audience members got to play Hep, Hep, Hooray. The game retired at the end of 2009 but quickly returned on January 4, 2010, due to more audience demand than its predecessor, Samson, Lion and Delilah.

In this segment of the show, the audience was prepared to dance to one of Willie Revillame's hit songs. This opening song number was the theme tune for the choosing of the ten random audience members, the audience was warmed up for the public displays of talent, where Willie and his co-hosts drew from the audience, from different sections including the TFC subscribers to dance the song in an entertaining way.

The objective of the game was to repeat the words "Hep Hep" and "Hooray". A co-host put the microphone in front of a contestant's face and they were supposed to say "Hep Hep" while clapping their hands together below their waist, then another co-host would put the microphone to another contestant's face and they were to finish the cheer with saying "Hooray" and raising their hands in the air. If a contestant made a mistake, they were out of the game, but they won PHP1,000 and a gift pack from Rexona as a consolation prize. This was a last person standing game. The one who lasted the longest won.

Since Cash Bukas, the old bonus round for the game moved on to Willie of Fortune, and new rules were written on its relaunch. The final person standing went for the final round, where the contestant could duel against one of the three "Amazonas": April, Lovely, and Aiko. During the duel, the same rules applied, repeating the words "Hep" "Hep" "Hooray". The contestant's goal was to beat the "Amazona" to win the jackpot, which always started at PHP10,000. Every day the jackpot was not won, another PHP10,000 was added to it. On January 25, 2010, Jana was removed as an Amazona due to losing three times; April replaced her. A new batch of Amazonas were introduced on March 8 of the same year, referred to the hosts as "Amazunas". A new name to "Amazunas" was introduced April 10: the "Dragon Ladies". Beginning July 5, the "Dragon Ladies" portion was removed, and the last person standing automatically won P10,000 from Rexona.

On July 26, a new format called the Pair Factor was introduced. The twenty random audience members chose a partner to play with. The rules still mainly stayed the same, however, they had to both clap with "Hep" "Hep", and raise their hands with "Hooray". There were two groups consisting of five pairs each playing in their own group. The winner of rounds one and two would advance to the final round competing against each other. The last pair standing won P10,000 from Rexona.

Willie of Fortune

Six people selected earlier through "themed" auditions competed in pairs in rounds of Willie of Fortune. The in-house keyboardist played a portion of a song, and the first person to name the song correctly won one point. If the player could correctly sing the exact lyrics from that portion of the song, they would receive the second point. Two points were required to win the round and get to round two. In this round, the three remaining players went to a knock out question. One song would be played, and whoever could buzz in the correct song title first won PHP10,000 and advanced to the jackpot round, Cash Bukas.

Every Saturday, celebrity teams played against each other. The same gameplay rules used in the weekday version were in effect. However, the team who reached five points first won, and went straight to the jackpot round, Cash Bukas.

Cash Bukas

In the Cash Bukas segment, the winner of Willie of Fortune (previously the player was taken from Hep, Hep, Hooray) got to play for four prizes. 10 trays were available for the player to select, while the player only selected three to play with. Next, the player chose only one tray. The player was offered increasing amounts of cash until the player took the offer, or kept playing to open the tray. The trays offered in the game were as follows:

• 1: PHP100,000
• 1: PHP500,000
• 1: Grand Pasada Showcase (Sinski Maton)
• 1: PHP1,000,000
• 6: Cheap prizes (e.g., sandals, salted egg, noisemakers, etc.)

Tic Tac to Win

Tic Tac to Win was a game that premiered in January 2010, with a format similar to past "end-games" in the show, including its predecessor, Want More, No More. Beginning on February 6 of the same year, the game was played on a recurring basis.

Tumpak o Sablay

A group of fifty contestants was asked a trivia question that was asked by a random person in the streets, or a celebrity in some cases. The contestants went to either side of the stage "Tumpak" (Correct) or "Sablay" (Fail) to guess if their answer is right or wrong. Similar to Pera o Bayong, the last person standing on the round got to play for the jackpot round with PHP10,000 to keep.

Jackpot Round

Twenty letters (A-T) with prizes in different amounts were presented on a 5x4 board. The winner of the previous round chose nine letters from the board, and arranged the letters as they desired on a giant tic-tac-toe board. Scattered and hidden in the twenty letters were:

• 4: Brand new car
• 4: House and lot
• 4: PHP1,000,000

Eight letters contained instant cash for the contestant to keep:

• 4: PHP10,000
• 3: PHP25,000
• 1: PHP50,000

The goal was to make a tic-tac-toe of either the car, house, or PHP1,000,000. If a tic-tac-toe was achieved, it was won. If no tic-tac-toe was achieved, the contestant still kept the instant cash that was won on the board.

Discontinued segments

Year	Game Name	Game Description
2005–2008	"Bigtime" Pera O Bayong	Pera o Bayong was a game that was brought from Magandang Tanghali Bayan. The game first started on February 5, 2005. The game relaunched with "Bigtime" added at the name on January 1, 2008. A group of 50 people are asked a question with three answer choices labeled A, B, or C. They must stand near the letter they preferred to choose. This is last man standing, so the game is continued until one is left. The final person wins PHP10,000 and goes on to the next half of the game. The final contestant, then makes a choice from 10 "bayongs" (bags), and then the hosts have several bargaining sessions where they offer the contestants a cash offer in exchange for the chosen bayong. If the player stays with the bayong, they won whatever was inside it. The three grand prizes were PHP1,000,000, a house and lot, and the Bigtime Bayong containing PHP1,000,000, a house and lot, and a brand new car.
2005–2008	Bigat 10	Ten random audience members were chosen to play on round three of Willie of Fortune. Willie then chose one of them (later two at a time) to come up on stage. Willie asked a question and if the contestant answered correctly, the Bigat 10's were eliminated for good. However, if the Bigat 10's answered correctly, the contestant won PHP3,000 – that is subtracted from the total winnings from the contestant which was rewarded to them prior to the game.
2005	Act-U	A contestant tried to guess what a celebrity guest was trying to act out. This game is similar to charades.
2005	Call A Cookie	A Questune contestant and two other randomly selected audience members were asked questions, but the "buzzers" were located above them. If the Questune contestant won, the contestant advanced to the next round and won a prize, and the two audience contestants would get PhP500. If one of the other contestants won, both won PHP5,000. If they guessed the correct answer all in a row the contestant won PHP500,000 and a cookie monster trophy. This game was later replaced by Isang Talon Isang Sagot.
2005	Sketch on the Rocks	A contestant attempted to draw picture of a word selected out of a fishbowl while other contestants attempted to guess what it was, but the paper on the board constantly scrolled up. After 30 seconds, the drawer would move to the "rock board", where the player attempted to write out what the answer was, but the board shook making it more difficult. If the guessers could figure it out, the drawer won the prize that they selected beforehand. If the guessers couldn't figure it out after 30 seconds on the "rock board" and after five more final seconds, the drawer did not win anything.
2005	Touch Ako	The last contestant of Willie of ForTune goes for the last round. 10 TFC subscribers are placed inside a circle with a protective mask and velcro outfit. The goal for the contestant is to eliminate the 10 TFCs in under 60 seconds, using balls provided for the contestant which stick to the velcro, blindfolded. If the ball sticks to any of the TFC's outfit, they were eliminated from the pack. The TFCs however can move the circle anywhere on the stage, not off stage obviously. If the contestant eliminates all, they won the showcase they had chosen to play for and the jackpot. If not, they lose the showcase.
2005–2006	Doblado Sigurado	Played after Bigat 10, Doblado Sigurado offered a chance for the contestant to double their winnings. A box containing 5 chips (each one being black and white) would be passed around the audience, and the contestant would predict how many would come up White and how many would come up Black. If the prediction was right, the contestant's Bigat 10 winnings were doubled. If it wasn't, the player walked away with only PHP10,000. This game was later replaced by Pasalog.
2005–2006	Wowowin sa Wowowee!	All the home viewers must do is answer a question correctly, with the provided possible answer containing 5 letters or less. If the home contestant texts in and answers correctly, one random viewer will receive PHP25,000.
2005	Green Cross	One of the Pera o Bayong contestants was randomly picked from the group, and won PHP5,000. In one of 3 bags was PHP20,000, and the player had to guess which one contained the prize. If the player picked correctly, they would win a total of PhP 25,000. The game was sponsored by Green Cross, a Filipino soap brand. This game was only played once.
2005	Huli Kaw!	This game involved getting random people off the streets to answer a trivia question. If the person answered the question correctly, they won PHP5,000.
2005–2006	Isang Talon, Isang Sagot	The 3 Questune contestants left standing advanced to this round, were asked trivia questions. If they knew, the contestant jumped to "buzz in". 5 points were required to advance to the Bigat 10 round. The game was later replaced by Sinong Kumanta Ng Kantang 'To?
2006–2008	Sinong Kumanta Ng Kantang To?	Three contestants competed to buzz in and answer the artist of the song played. The first to 2 points won. The game was later replaced by Tanong Ko, Sagutin Mo.
2008	Tanong Ko, Sagutin Mo	Three contestants competed to buzz in answer the questions asked, which is similar to Bigat-10. except played by Willie of Fortune contestants. This was sometime replaced by Knockout Questune.
2006–2009	Pasalog	In Pasalog, the contestant has a chance of winning different prizes provided by sponsors, including a progressive cash jackpot increasing every show if not won. Dice containing logos and symbols are placed into compartments in beach ball like spheres. The balls are then passed around the audience (or sometimes rolled around the stage if there is not enough time). When the pasalogs are returned, the compartments are opened. If the face of the dice facing up has a symbol or logo, the player wins the corresponding prize. Pasalog was originally played with a similar cube shaped container. In part of the new set on March 31, 2008, Pasalog changed to three balls.Where in Mariposa at the left side, Milagring at the right side and Luningning at the middle. Ball One Ball Two Ball Three 3 PHP10,000 & 3 PHP20,000 3 X2 & 3 X5 1 Grand Negosyo, 1 X1, 3 ÷2, 1 X5
2007–2008	Guess the Presyo, Get the Premyo!	Sponsored by Mega Sardines, is a game which debuted on the November 19, 2007, episode of Wowowee. Five players picked from the studio audience are assigned numbers and have to attempt to arrange themselves in the correct order to the correct price of the day's prize in 90 seconds or less. The first digit of the price is always given. If the contestants get it right, they win the prize.
2007	Wilyonaryo	This game became entangled in one of the larger controversies associated with Wowowee when it debuted in August 2007. The 50 contestants who competed had to predict the result of surveys answered by audience members with remote controls. Some contestants were offered a chance to stay where they were, switch their guess, or walk away with a cash offer before the answer was revealed. After one contestant is left, they chose 12 tablets in any order they'd like. Those tablets were then placed in a horizontal shelf with a chute on the bottom of each of them for the ball to enter. They were then given two labels written "P20,000" and were told to place those labels on the top of those tablets on where they thought the ball would land. On a giant pinball machine, the contestant dropped a pinball and could bump on random money values of PHP1,000 through PHP5,000. The pinball would eventually land at the end of the chute, where the horizontal shelf containing the tablets are connected. Wherever the ball landed was the tablet one had to play with; if that tablet was labeled with a "P20,000" sticker, an extra PHP20,000 would be added to one's winnings. Then, the gameplay began to be similar to the jackpot round in Pera o Bayong. Prizes included House & Lot prize, PHP500,000, PHP1 Million and PHP2 Million—the top prize.
2007	iYugYugan Na!	Five contestants were chosen from the audience and were brought to center stage. While they showed off their dancing to the song, Willie randomly chose any of the five to answer a simple question. If the chosen contestant answered correctly and quickly, they were still in the game and awarded an extra PHP500. The contestant was decided and brought up the stairs and was given two dice. Only one side of each of the two dice contained that "YUG Jackpot" which it what the contestant MUST get. If only one of the die lands on the jackpot, they won an extra PHP5,000. If both die land on the jackpot, the contestant breaks the bank! If none land on the jackpot however, they were awarded an extra PHP10,000 for playing.
2008	Coca-Cola 50 Million Family Panalo: Cash o Bukas?	10 players get to play, 5 on each side. The object of the game is to be the last person standing with a coke cap. Each person starts off with 5 Coca-Cola caps. They are asked questions and players must place the caps on the letter they think its right. For example, a player can put 2 caps on A, 2 caps on B, and 1 cap on C. They bring the platform up so the other players can see what they chose. Then, the correct answer caps are stayed on the platform, while the others fall down. The last person standing with a Coke cap advances to the jackpot round. The final contestant gets to play for the cash prize. There are 26 letters on the board, (A-Z, excluding X). The player must get all 15 Coca-Cola logos to win PHP1,000,000. Along the way, the player can get prizes like a portable DVD player, MP3 player, etc. They must avoid the strikes as much as possible. If the player gets 3 strikes, the game is over, and loses all the money, although they can still have the other prizes with them.
2009	Eight O'Clock	A studio player gets to play for up to PHP200,000. A random member in the audience plays together, and both work together to get the top prize. There is a bunch of chips on the board and decide which to take one by one. Each chip show different prize amounts shown below. 5 chips for a certain prize amount is require to win it. Bonuses are randomly on the board, too. Each player gets the prize unsplit.
2009	Want More, No More	This game replaced the former game Bigtime Pera O Bayong. Elimination Round A group of 50 people are asked a question and then given two choices to answer that question, "Oo" (Yes) or "Hindi" (No). Within a certain amount of time, the contestants must line up behind the sign labelled with their preferred answer. The co-hosts then reveal the correct answer, and those who queued behind the sign labelled with the wrong answer are eliminated; the contestants who chose the correct answer remain in the game. This is a last-person-standing game; the game process continues until one person is left remaining on the stage. The last-remaining contestant receives PHP10,000 then plays the Jackpot Round. Jackpot Round The contestant, who won the Elimination Round, played for a chance to win one, two or all of the following major prizes the game had to offer: a Jeep, a House and Lot from Global Asiatique, and PHP1,000,000. There were 25 "bayongs" on the stage, each labelled with letters from A-Z (excluding X), and each containing a case. Each case contained a logo, which would determine the amount of the contestant's winnings. Five cases display a silhouette of a jeep in a yellow circle, which each adds PHP10,000 to the contestant's winnings and increases the chances of winning the Jeep. Six cases have a silhouette of a house in a green circle which, as well, each adds PHP10,000 to the contestant's earnings and increases the chances of winning the House and Lot. Nine cases contain a bold, black number "2" (before it is labeled as "1" for 1 Million but now it is "2" for 2 Million) in a red circle, which, too, adds PHP10,000 to the contestant's money and increases the chances of winning the million pesos. Contestants who play this round, however, have to be cautious, as there are four cases that contain a large "X" in a red circle that will ruin the contestant's chances of taking home their earnings. If the contestant opens three of the cases with the large "X" on it, they would lose the game and not be allowed to take home their earnings. There is one special case that bears the "W" used in the logo for Wowowee that, if opened, guarantees that the contestant will take home PHP50,000, even if the contestant chooses three "bayongs" containing the cases with the large "X" on it.
2009	May Regalo	May Regalo is the jackpot round for the winner of Knock Out. This segment is very similar to Merrygalo from 2007. There are 16 presents to choose from. The top prize is PHP500,000. 5 circles 5 squares 5 stars 1 Random Grand Negosyo 1 Knorr Real Sarap 1 of each kind: PHP20,000 2 of a kind: PHP50,000 3 circles: PHP100,000 3 squares: PHP250,000 3 stars: PHP500,000 The contestant chooses three boxes, but may change the boxes at any time before opening if requested.
2010	Samson, Lion, and Delilah	This game is similar to the rock-paper-scissors hand game, but instead named after Bible characters Samson and Delilah. As in Hep, Hep, Hooray, ten random players get to play the game. They had to dance to Willie's latest song, "Kembot Na". Samson beats lion. Lion beats Delilah. Delilah beats Samson. In round one, two players will be competing with each other. Since there are ten contestants, there will be five rounds. Whoever loses is already out of the game, but gets PHP1,000 and a Rexona gift pack. The five remaining contenders face off the celebrity champion, Pokwang. In round two, the remaining five contestants competes against Pokwang, the celebrity champion. Every time a contestant wins, PHP500 is won for themselves. If a contestant loses against Pokwang, the contestant still wins PHP2,000 and a Rexona gift pack for making it far. The contestants with continuing winning streak will continue until they lose, leaving with their winnings, plus PHP2,000 and a Rexona gift pack. When two contestants are left, a face-off (sudden death) will commence. Winner of the face-off will go against Pokwang for the jackpot of the day. The jackpot is always PHP10,000 plus another PHP10,000 each day the jackpot is not won.
2010	Wil's Balls	Wil's Balls is a simple, new game where a large bingo cage is situated at center stage. It contains bingo balls from A-G, 1-100, in the respective section of the audience. Once a ball is chosen, a number will be called, and the person sitting in the called seat will win P2,500. Since there is Wil's indefinite leave and inactivity of this segment, it is likely to be discontinued.
2010	Cash Mo-Tour	On June 19, 2010, the spin-off, Cash Mo-Tour was premiered and introduced in a local barangay at Valenzuela City, and will tour around different barangays. The rules of the game remained same for the spin-off. However beginning July 5 of the same year, an elimination round consisting of fifty people was introduced, including new rules. Fifty residents gather on center stage. There are three sections: RR, Eric, and Jed (representing the hosts of the segment). Contestants line up to a random host hoping for a chance to stay or leave the game. A beach ball consisting of a cube previously used in Pasalog has sides that say tira (left) and tangal (removed). The host will play a quick game using colored gloves. The hosts with the majority color are safe, while the host's luck with the minority color is left with the cube. If it lands on tira, the contestants on the minority host stay while the others leave. If it lands on tangal, the contestants on the minority leave while the others stay. The last person standing gets to sweep and catch money in the tube as always. The winning contestant is allowed to get one special offer from the hosts to higher their chances of winning more money. The offers include: Cash Mo-Catcher The contestant wears a skirt in the tank to help get more money. Bonus :30 Thirty extra seconds is given to the sixty seconds. 20 Checks Twenty checks of P5,000 are added for an extra P100,000 in the tank.

Special shows

World tours

Wowowee had broadcast episodes from other locations in the Philippines, and had also gone on world tours to other countries such as the United States (Atlantic City, San Francisco, New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Reno, Chicago, Honolulu, Atlantic City, San Diego, Houston, and Guam), Australia (Sydney), Canada (Winnipeg) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai).

In celebration of TFC's 15th anniversary and Wowowee's 4th anniversary, Wowowee held a grand world tour in 2009. Starting in Dubai, the tour reached Italy, United States (San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando and Las Vegas) and Canada (Toronto).

2006: Alay sa Kapamilya

Alay sa Kapamilya was a program organized by ABS-CBN as an observation for the PhilSports Arena stampede victims. It preempted Wowowee for six days while the network decided over the fate of the variety show. The shows were a solemn tribute to the victims, featuring performances by ABS-CBN regulars. Eventually, ABS-CBN decided to temporarily cancel the variety show until the start of the show's second iteration on March 11, 2006.

2006: Honoring Overseas Filipino Workers

On several occasions, the show has paid tribute to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) serving across the world. On the August 2, 2006, episode, Wowowee with cooperation with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) produced a special edition saluting and featuring female OFW's who returned from Lebanon where a war was present in that country. They were all invited to attend and even participate in the show that day. The contestants during the first half that day were close friends of the OFWs, while an unspecified number of OFW's participated in "The Ultimate Pera O Bayong". All the winnings won during the show were combined together and evenly distributed to all of the OFWs in the audience, with the grand total of winnings being PHP1,390,000.

2007: Armed Forces of the Philippines join Wowowee

On September 1, 2007, about 500 soldiers came in full force to the show. Representatives from the major services, AFPWSSUS and Technical Services come to play and have fun during the show and take a crack at the grand prizes in different games.

Highlights of the event were the interviews with the loved ones of Marines who lost their lives in the fight against the Abu Sayaff Group/ MILF rebels in Basilan on July 10 and August 11, 2007. Tearfully, loved ones recounted their last communication with the fallen Marines. Host Willie Revillame also asked each of them for a short message and everybody was moved to tears during the emotion-filled moment. AFP, PIO Chief LTC Bartolome Bacarro held back his tears but could not help it, just like the rest. Emotions rose again when candles were lit for the Marines.

2010: New set and co-hosts

A new set and a new batch of co-hosts were introduced in April 2010. Joining the four co-hosts already on the show were Carmen Soo, Isabelle Abiera, Jed Montero, and Kelly Misa. The new set consisted of a large LED video wall on the front of the stage with a brand new lighted flooring. Audience seats were moved and had seat numbers that might be used for future games.

The show began with an extravagant opening sequence of Willie Revillame singing and dancing to his hit songs over the past five years. Later, the usual games were played. In Cash Motto, a new format was explained that would begin taking place on April 17 called Cash Mo-Tour, in which the cash tank would travel around Metro Manila and barangays for lucky people to win big. In Hep, Hep, Hooray, the winner will play against the new name of the "Amazunas", the "Dragon Ladies" for the special jackpot of the day, PHP100,000. It was announced on the week of April 12 that the first stop for the Cash Mo-Tour will be held at Plaza Moriones in Tondo, Manila, but due to technical difficulties, it was announced on April 16 that the premiere would be postponed. Two months later on June 19, the game premiered in Valenzuela City.

Ratings

During its past 5 years, Wowowee became one of the longest-running noontime show, Eat Bulaga!'s biggest opponent. According to TNS National TV Ratings, Wowowee was consistent in hitting the 20% mark. It even hits the 30% mark if the show had special occasions. Example of this is the comeback of Willie Revillame on the show after its 1-month suspension. It rated 32.3%, a 12.1% lead against Eat Bulaga!'s 20.2%. It also gave Eat Bulaga! a close fight in Mega Manila, Bulaga's bailiwick while in rural areas, Wowowee was winning via landslide victory against its rival. However, Eat Bulaga! later defeated the show in rural areas due to its "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment.

Cancellation and aftermath

On July 27, 2010, ABS-CBN confirmed that Wowowee would end its second and final iteration that started on March 11, 2006 and the program overall on July 30, 2010, after 5 years of airing. This is after Revillame demanded ABS-CBN to fire entertainment writer Jobert Sucaldito over the latter's constant criticisms on Wowowee. Its ending coincided with Eat Bulaga!'s 31st anniversary of ABS-CBN's rival GMA Network. It was replaced by Pilipinas Win Na Win effective the following day on July 31, 2010. The new show is a variety game show hosted by Kris Aquino and Robin Padilla. Former Wowowee co-hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Pokwang, and Valerie Concepcion co-host the new show. Three months after Wowowee ended, Showtime became a noontime show, serving as the lead-in program for Pilipinas Win Na Win which was pushed back to an early afternoon timeslot. Pilipinas Win Na Win was cancelled at the end of 2010 in December 31, 2010.

In January 2011, ABS-CBN announced through its Push.com site that a new noontime show, hosted by ex-Magandang Tanghali Bayan hosts Randy Santiago and John Estrada, as well as Toni Gonzaga and ex-Wowowee host Mariel Rodriguez, was in the works. The show, entitled Happy Yipee Yehey! premiered on February 12, 2011, a week after what would have been the sixth anniversary of Wowowee which returned Showtime to its original timeslot and Willie was still under contract with ABS-CBN despite that he already transferred to TV5 on September 18, 2010 one month after Wowowee's cancellation. Under the contract with the network, Revillame was supposed to host Wowowee and continue the show's second run and program overall until September 10, 2011 or upon its cancellation or earlier termination, which meant the show would have run for 6 years 7 months if it had not ended on July 30, 2010.

After Wowowee's cancellation, Studio 3 of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center was then occupied by Pilipinas Win na Win, The Price is Right (the first non-afternoon game show to use Studio 3 at the aftermath of the cancellation of Wowowee), Happy Yipee Yehey! from September 17, 2011 to January 25, 2012 before moving to Dolphy Theatre (Studio 1) from January 26 to February 3, 2012 and produced the finale episode at AFP Theater on February 4, 2012, and recently by Showtime (as It's Showtime) since its return to noontime on February 6, 2012.

Both Pilipinas Win Na Win and Happy Yipee Yehey! received consistently low ratings due to Eat Bulaga!'s strong noontime viewership, which Revillame predicted. On January 28, 2012, Showtime went on hiatus as the show would be formatted to become a noontime show again which will replace Happy Yipee Yehey!. The drama series Mundo Man ay Magunaw took over the timeslot of Showtime while it was in hiatus from January 30 to February 3, 2012. Happy Yipee Yehey! aired its final episode on February 4, 2012 where it took over Showtime's timeslot on Saturday. Showtime then returned on a noontime slot for the second and current time after one year and its one week hiatus on February 6, 2012 as It's Showtime (a day after what would have been the seventh anniversary of Wowowee) where it is continuously occupying the timeslot since then which made ABS-CBN's noontime slot again dominate that was not seen since the end of Wowowee 1 year and 7 months earlier on July 30, 2010.

Controversies

ULTRA stampede

Main article: PhilSports Stadium stampede

On February 4, 2006, Wowowee was to hold its first anniversary show at the ULTRA stadium when a stampede occurred at 6:00 a.m. PST. The show was set to air at 1:00 until 2:30 in the afternoon.

The incident was dramatized and investigated in the GMA Network-produced docudrama series, Case Unclosed as their 18th episode. The episode was aired on February 5, 2009, 3 years later after the incident.

Hello Pappy scandal

Main article: Hello Pappy scandal

On August 20, 2007, during the Wilyonaryo segment, Willie Revillame looked for the ₱2 million jackpot prize in the violet wheel. However, he found out that there are two numbers in the wheel by pulling off the films. A later feud between Revillame and rival show Eat Bulaga!'s Joey de Leon led to this scandal.

Cory Aquino live funeral coverage controversy

In the August 3, 2009 episode of Wowowee, during which the show was interrupted for live coverage of the transfer of President Cory Aquino's remains from La Salle Greenhills to the Manila Cathedral, Revillame said that he could not make people happy while the entire country was mourning. The Alliance of Filipino Journalists denounced his remarks as a sign of disrespect towards Aquino. Revillame said he had no intention of defaming the former president and her family. ABS-CBN senior executive Cory Vidanes said that the network supported Revillame's action, stating that his outburst did not run afoul of the Broadcast Code of the Philippines. Network entertainment official Johnny Manahan said Revillame was correct in saying that the footage should not have been inserted, but the way he said it was wrong.

Willing Willie and Wil Time Bigtime

After a five-month hiatus, Willie Revillame made his comeback on the TV5 show Willing Willie. Several personalities from Wowowee are also included in the new show's roster of hosts, including Owen Ercia and DJ Coki.

On November 24, 2010, ABS-CBN Corporation filed a copyright infringement suit against Willie Revillame, Wil Productions, Inc. and TV5 for allegedly copying Wowowee in Willing Willie. However, hearings on the case, which was filed at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 66 under presiding judge Joselito C. Villarosa, was suspended after the Court of Appeals granted the request for a temporary restraining order by TV5.

TV5 then filed a petition for certiorari, prohibition and writ of preliminary injunction before the Court of Appeals. ABS-CBN responded by filing a motion seeking to dismiss the petition of the former. On March 10, 2011, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of TV5.

On May 14, 2011, Willie Revillame's comeback for the primetime variety show Wil Time Bigtime after 9 months, this show has now officially canceled on January 5, 2013.

Wowowillie and Wowowin

Main article: Wowowillie

TV5 announced the newest noontime variety show Wowowillie. It premiered on January 26, 2013, but the show was cancelled on October 12, 2013, due to the early retirement from television of Willie Revillame as well as poor ratings of the show.

Main article: Wowowin

In March 2015, GMA Network announced the comeback of Willie Revillame to Philippine television and to GMA Network via his newest Sunday afternoon variety show, Wowowin. Wowowin, produced by Revillame's WBR Entertainment Productions, premiered on May 10, 2015, nationwide and worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. The hashtag #Wowowin trended on Twitter nationwide through the night.

Awards

• 2005 KBP Golden Dove Awards Best Variety Show – Won
• Best Variety & Game Show (Star Awards for TV) (2009 & 2010) – Won (which was a combination of Best Game Show and Best Variety Show in one category this year)
• Best Variety Show (Star Awards for TV) (2008) – Won
  • In 2008, tied with GMA Network's Eat Bulaga. - Won
• Best Male TV Host (Willie Revillame) (2005 & 2007) – Won
• Best Female TV Host (Janelle Jamer) (2007) – Won
• Consumers Award Outstanding Variety Show (2008) – Won
• Consumers Award Outstanding Male TV Host (2008) – Won
• PMPC Star Awards Best Female TV Host (Valerie Concepcion) (2008 & 2009) – Won
• Anak TV Seal Awards (2009) – Won

See also

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
• Wil Time Bigtime
• Wowowillie
• Wowowin
• Wil To Win
• PhilSports Stadium stampede
• Hello Pappy scandal

External links

• Official Website
• Official TFCnow
• Wowowee Episode Information Archived August 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
• Wowowee at IMDb