It was another historic event of sorts when popular game show host Willie Revillame made his own “landing” in Lingayen, Pangasinan last Saturday, Dec. 18. It was the first provincial tour of his TV5 show “Willing Willie,” now shown on Channel 28 in the province. TV5 executive Bobby Barreiro said, after “Willing Willie” in Rizal Park on Jan. 22, the show will go to Davao in February, and Cebu in March.

True to its mission, “Willing Willie” indeed brought cheer and hope to the people from various towns and cities of Pangasinan (and nearby provinces) who started filling up the venue (at the seaside beside the provincial Capitol) early in the morning of that day. The heat and their exhaustion and hunger could have caused more than 30 people to faint, but the organizers had the foresight to have first-aiders from the Red Cross to be around for such eventuality. Despite this, however, the prevalent sentiment was that of enthusiasm and happiness – of seeing Willie in person and, for the lucky audience and for the contestants, of going home with prizes and some freebies.

Nobody won the grand prizes of P1 million, house-and-lot and a brand new car, but the people went home happy, with memories to cherish and remember. Someone we talked to, who said he’s from Malasiqui, said “masaya na ako na makita ko ang idol ko na si Willie. Dumating pa si Andrew E. Masayang-masaya talaga ako.”

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Ellen’s to join Parade of Stars

For being a sponsor, Ellen’s will be joining the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival Parade of Stars on Dec. 24. Ellen’s, said to be “the most trusted name in skin care, whitening and permanent cosmetics since 1980,” will have its own float, according to Ellen Lising, the proprietor. We’re not sure though if she will be joined in her float by her endorsers, among them Melanie Marquez, Carlo Aquino, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Patrick Garcia and Dexter Doria. Former Mayor Kate Gordon of Olongapo, Malu Barry and Sugar Mercado formerly of Sex Bomb, are also faithful patrons of Ellen’s.

“I’d like to help the local movie industry that’s why I decided to join as sponsor,” she said. By the way, in the spirit of Christmas, Ellen’s started giving a special promo (50 percent discount on all their products and services) from Dec. 15-22. “So they have till today to avail of our special Christmas promo in all nine branches of Ellen’s,” Ellen said.

A graduate of a two-year course in cosmetology in Angeles City, Ellen worked with Dory’s and then put up her own beauty parlor in 1979. “I was an all-around parlor girl,” she smiled. “I did everything – make-up, facial, etc. After a year, I got myself some staff to help me out. But in the ’80s, after attending seminars and workshops on facial techniques in Hong Kong and other countries, I decided to concentrate on skin care. I also had my masters in facial techniques, so dito ako nag-focus. I closed my beauty parlor and trained my staff to do facials.” Ellen’s offers various kinds of facials, permanent cosmetics, surgical and non-surgical treatments.

During her heyday, Ellen had 15 branches but now she only has nine – in West Ave., Timog, Acropolis, Alabang, San Fernando, Tarlac City, Angeles City, Olongapo City and Cebu City. “Nagkasakit kasi ako, so my children and I decided to just concentrate on nine so I won’t be pressured so much. My children – except my eldest daughter who is a doctor and who is based in the US – are helping me out now with the business.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 22, go to my dear friend Dr. Ine C. Mauricio, Atty. Joey Lina, society columnist Maurice Arcache, Atty. Cora Jacob, Monina Co-Palma, Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, Simplicio Mathay, Dorothy “Ging” Trinio, Mrs. Josie C. Domingo, Lyd Ballesteros, Nina D.C. Alegre, Tracie Garcia, and Makisig Morales of Star Magic… Happy wedding anniversary to Humberto and Evita Tabora…