Presidential aspirant Manny Villar being endorsed by Willie Revillame and Manny Pacquiao at the Koronadal, Cotabato Nacionalista Party rally.

KORONADAL, S. Cotabato – During the recent Nacionalista Party rally in Koronadal, S. Cotabato, Willie Revillame lost his cool and expressed displeasure, short of lashing out at the networks including his home studio ABS-CBN, for not reporting the truth insofar as crowd estimates in the Villar-Legarda rallies are concerned.

“They should show the crowds para makita kung gaano kadami ang tao sa mga rallies namin. Kami naman ang ipinapakita sa TV screens. Dapat ang crowd at huwag sila basta magsasabi ng figures na usually binababaan nila,” an emotional Willie said when interviewed by local and national media at the South Cotabato Sports Center where he and the sexy “Wowowee” dancers as well as top-drawing performers entertained the crowd estimated to be 100,000 more or less.

Vice Presidential candidate Loren Legarda echoed the same sentiment, saying “the networks should report fairly and objectively…”

When Willie was called onstage, the crowd roared with delight, as they had been waiting for him as early as 8 a.m. that day of the rally (April 11). We overheard somebody saying Willie reminded them of superstar Nora Aunor during her heydays “na dinudumog talaga ng mga tao.”

Unmindful of anything untoward that could happen, Willie while singing his signature songs, went down to shake hands with some of those in the cheering, adoring crowd.

“Kasi nagpupunta kami sa mga rallies hindi lang for political reasons but more than that para pasayahin ang mga tao, lalo na yong mga di nakakapanood personally ng ‘Wowowee,’” he said. He added that win or lose, he and Senator Villar will go to the provinces after the elections “para magpasalamat at magbigay ng saya sa kanila. Ito naman ang purpose talaga ng show ko, ang makapagpaligaya ng mga tao sa buong bansa...”

After Willie, another staunch supporter of the presidential bid of Senator Manny Villar was called onstage. He was no less than the world’s boxing champ Manny Pacquaio. Accompanied by his composer Lito Camo, Manny sang a few songs, including his signature hit “Para sa ‘Yo” and “Pilipino ang Lahi Ko.” Earlier that day, Pacman and Willie joined Sen. Villar in a motorcade around General Santos City.

In between speeches delivered by Senators Legarda, Pia Cayetano, Gilbert Remulla, Col. Querubin, Gwen Pimentel, Susan Ople, Ramon Mitra, and Atty. Adel Tamano, the audience was entertained by musical numbers performed by Jessa Zaragoza, Randy Santiago, April Boy Regino whose popularity was not diminished by his absence (since he and family are now US-based) and whose songs especially “Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin” the crowd knew by heart; Ara Mina (who is running for councilor in the 2nd District of Quezon City), Geneva Cruz, and Andrew E., who like April Boy received wild cheers from the enthusiastic fans.

A new set and new hosts for ‘Wowowee’

The day before Willie left for the Koronadal, Cotabato NP rally, a new set of co-hosts for “Wowowee” was introduced. It was actually the first live edition of the show after the long holidays, during which the set was also renovated. The seats are now more comfortable for the guests, the floor was made more impressive with its new design.

The new co-hosts are Isabel Abiera, Kelly Misa, Jed Montero and Malaysian star Carmen Soo. They’ll be working daily with the old reliable hosts Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion and RR Enriquez.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on April 15 go to Mrs. Gloria “Baby” Angara, Therese Coronel Santos of Cinderella, Czarina Ablaza-Syquia, former actress Susan Henson, designer/PR man Jose Mari Hilario, Marcel Meily, photog Wig Tygman, Vanity magazine editor Linda Celestial, Joseph Baricana, Linda Cabrera, Dianne Gamboa, Atty. Gloria Paculdo, Jemmarie F. Ronquillo, Aaliyah Maoie G. Yadori, and Ryan Ramos of ABS-CBN Star Magic. Condolence to colleague Jun Nardo on the recent death of his beloved mom Hermenigilda E. Nardo. Her remains lie at the Holy Trinity Church Mortuary, Sobriedad St., Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila. Interment will be on Sunday, April 18 at 2 p.m.