MANILA, Philippines - After five years on the air, the country’s hit noontime TV show on ABS-CBN, Wowowee, finally bade viewers goodbye.
On Friday, July 29, the most controversial afternoon program mounted its last show without its main host, Willie Revillame.
For a long time, the show gave its best to give joy and happiness to Filipinos here and abroad with its main female co-hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion and Pokwang.
But like any show, Wowowee wasn’t spared from controversies.
Below is the timeline of Wowowee’s history.
February 5, 2005: Wowowee aired its first show. The game show was seen on TV on weekdays and Saturdays since then.
February 4, 2006: ULTRA stampede. Wowowee decided to hold its first anniversary show at Philsports Arena (ULTRA) in Pasig City. The stampede claimed the lives of 71 fans and supporters.
October 19, 2006: The Department of Justice (DOJ), through its five-member panel, recommended that charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries be filed against 17 ABS-CBN executives and employees in connection with the deadly ULTRA stampede.
May 12, 2007: Wowowee got a 3-day suspension after young actress Eda Nolan had a wardrobe malfunction while the show was airing.
January 29, 2008: The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the authority of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct an investigation into the alleged link of some ABS-CBN executives to the ULTRA stampede.
August 3, 2009: Revillame asked that the airing of former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino’s funeral cortege from La Salle Greenhills to Manila Cathedral be stopped. The footage was being beamed live simultaneously and shown as an inset on the screen on the noontime show. His actions drew flak, and Revillame was even asked by some people, particularly Aquino supporters, to resign from the show.
August 4, 2009: Revillame apologized on TV after he drew criticism for ordering the removal of the live streaming on Wowowee of former President Corazon Aquino’s funeral procession.
August 10, 2009: ABS-CBN Corporate Communication head Bong Osorio bared that Revillame was on leave “indefinitely” as a result of the controversy generated by Revillame's order to stop the airing of President Corazon Aquino's funeral procession on Wowowee.
September 21, 2009: Revillame made a triumphant return to Wowowee, six weeks after going on indefinite leave.
May 4, 2010: Revillame slammed Sucaldito for the latter’s alleged nonstop criticisms. Revillame, in particular, got irked after Sucaldito allegedly insulted the contestants of Wowowee. The contestants were reportedly high school students with general averages of between 75 and 79. Sucaldito repeatedly denied that he insulted the Wowowee contestants. Revillame demanded that the network fire Sucaldito or else he will leave the network.
May 5, 2010: Revillame failed to report for Wowowee.
May 12, 2010: Revillame gave a letter to the bosses of the Kapamilya network asking that he be released from his contract.
May 15, 2010: Robin Padilla joined Wowowee as its first male guest co-host after Revillame went on indefinite break.
May 25, 2010: ABS-CBN management announced that Revillame is taking an "indefinite break."
May 29, 2010: Kanto Boys (John Lloyd Cruz, Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano) took over Padilla’s hosting job.
June 3, 2010: Cesar Montano hosted Wowoweeas guest co-host. He stayed in the show for just one week.
June 12, 2010: DOJ dismissed the charges against Revillame in connection with the 2006 ULTRA stampede.
July 27, 2010: ABS-CBN announced the end of Wowowee.It revealed that its replacement will be "Pilipinas, Win na Win" to be hosted by Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Robin Padilla and presidential sister Kris Aquino.
July 30, 2010: Wowowee bids goodbye.
