Willie Revillame, a.k.a Kuya Will, turned emotional as he bid goodbye to GMA Network during the final episode of Wowowin.
On Friday, February 11, Willie was joined by his Wowowin co-hosts and staff on stage as he expressed his gratitude to the Kapuso network’s top executives led by GMA chairman Felipe Gozon and viewers for the almost seven-year run of the show.
“Gusto ko lang magpasalamat muna sa lahat. Sa inyong lahat, wala ako dito, wala kami dito kahit anong istasyon ang puntahan namin, kung hindi ninyo kami sinuportahan, hindi niyo kami minahal, wala ho ang programang Wowowin. Ang buhay ko ay kayo,” said Willie who became a blocktimer for GMA in 2015.
The 61-year-old TV host, meanwhile, explained that the reason he left GMA was due to delicadeza.
“Una for delicadeza. Magsho-show ako sa GMA, habang ako naman po ay nagpa-plano sa isang istasyon na kalaban ng GMA. Hindi ho tama ‘yun. Sa sobrang bait ho ng mga taga-GMA, sa sobrang bait ho ng pinakita nila sa akin, hindi ko ho magagawa ‘yun na tatraydurin ko sila.
“Isipin n’yo for delicadeza at respeto kay Mr. Gozon, sa lahat dito. Nagsho-show ako araw-araw dito, pero after ko (mag-show) nagmi-meeting ako sa kabilang channel. Hindi ko kayang gawin ‘yun,” he continued.
Willie also assured that he will continue to extend financial help by livestreaming his variety game show on his digital platforms.
“Hindi ho ito ang katapusan. Hindi po ako titigil. Itutuloy ko pa rin po yung live streaming. Meron pa rin pong Facebook at YouTube, Willie Revillame, Tutok Para Manalo,” he said, reiterating his gratitude to GMA network and his viewers.
“Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Wala ako dito kung hindi dahil sa inyong lahat. GMA-7, maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat. Thank you so much.
“Ito ho, huli na. Babalik ako. Yung mga nawalan ng trabaho, ibabalik ko kayo. I’ll see you soon.
“Itong programang Wowowin para sa inyo, ipagdasal niyo na matuloy-tuloy tayo,” he said towards the end of his speech.
“GMA, I love you. See you,” added Willie.
Willie’s farewell came a week after GMA Network announced that the former’s contract with them was going to expire this Tuesday, February 15.
The TV host, meanwhile, also addressed speculations about his supposed transfer to the Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. (AMBS), owned by his good friend and former Senate president Manny Villar.
“Wala hong plano pa kasi hindi ho ganoon kadaling magbukas ng isang channel,” said Willie who revealed that he was invited by Villar to join him in the new TV station.
Featured image: Secreenshots from Wowowin/ Youtube, GMA Netwok
