But still mum on whether he'll run as Villar's VP

MANILA - What a difference a vacation makes.

Fresh from a nearly two-month hiatus from his top-rating noontime show, TV host Willie Revillame promised bigger prizes, better games and a more intimate show when he returns to "Wowowee" on September 21.

"Tuloy na ang pag-asa. Tuloy ang saya sa September 21. Sabi nila martial law. Ito yung martial law ng saya, martial law ng kaligayahan ng ating mga Kapamilya," he said upon his arrival in Manila Friday.

Revillame said taking an extended leave from "Wowowee" and appearing in various shows in the provinces and in the US made him think of ways on how to improve the show. "I want to change Wowowee. I want it to be more intimate to our Kapamilyas lalo na sa mga nasa abroad at saka yung mga mahihirap dito na mabigyan sila ng pag-asa. There will be games that we will change," he said.

He said he kept abreast of the goings-on in the show by calling his staff.

Revillame thanked his co-hosts, RR Enriquez, Valerie Concepcion, Mariel Rodriguez and Pokwang, as well as fill-in hosts Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Gabby Concepcion and Cesar Montano for doing a great job during his absence.

"They did very well. There's no comparison. Gabby actualy kept calling me and asked me what to do," he said.

Revillame went on indefinite leave from the show last August 5 after his request to remove a video inset of former President Corazon Aquino's funeral cortege provoked a firestorm of criticism. Government censors and ABS-CBN management later agreed to extend Willie's leave until September 20.

'Almost didn't go back'

Revillame confessed that he seriously thought about not returning to the show after the most recent controversy.

"There was a time when I thought, 'Babalik pa ba ako? Maganda yata yung simpleng buhay na lang.' Kasi gumawa ka ng mabuti, gumawa ka ng masama, laging masama ka eh. Alam mo wala nang nagawang mabuti dito sa bansa natin. Parang isang bond paper yan, kapag naitiman yan lahat ng malinis na ginawa mo madumi na lahat. Pero ganun talaga ang buhay at ganun ang trabaho natin. Bahala na ang Panginoong Diyos sa lahat," he said.

He admitted though that in one show, he got teary-eyed upon watching a video montage of all the people he had helped through the show.
"I remembered seeing the special children, yung mga nanay, those in wheelchairs. I realized the good things that this program was actually doing. It made me realize - if I don't come back to the show, what will happen to these peple? Talagang tinamaan ako," he said.

Revillame said the controversy made him appreciate people such as ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio who had always talked straight to him about his foibles.

"I look at Mam Charo like a mother. She's the one who would tell me: 'Hindi ka na simpleng tao, Willie. Dapat mag-ingat ka na,'" he said.

He added, however, that he has never tried to hide his true feelings both offscreen or onscreen. "Mula umpisa ganito na ako. Hindi ako maruning maging plastic sa tao. Kung ano ka, ganun ka. What I am in front of the camera and behind is the same," he said.

A cruel business

He said that during his vacation, he seriously thought about what he would do if ever he did not return to the show.

One of the businesses he is seriously contemplating is buying a small jet and having it chartered by local businessmen.

He also said he is expanding his plans for the Wil Mal beside the ABS-CBN compound to include a condotel and condominium. He said this would increase the budget for the mall from an estimated P600 million to P1.8 billion.

"Pinag-iipunan ko pa...This is a very cruel business. What happens when I am no longer famous? That's why I am working harder for the future," he said.

He also said he is interested in mounting a show in the US for Filipino talents such as Charice, Arnel Pineda and Black-Eyed Peas' member Apl.de.ap. He said he broached his plan to legendary producer David Foster in the US.

"I was invited by David Foster and I had an interview with him. He acknowledged me and said I was a popular host in Manila. He was very warm," he said.

"I also watched Charice at the concert and she received a standing ovation. Nakakakilabot."

Mum on political plans

One thing that Revillame is keeping quiet about is his rumored plan to become the running-mate of Sen. Manuel Villar in the 2010 elections.

Revillame said he joined Villar in two concerts in Cagayan de Oro and Davao City as a gesture of appreciation. He said Villar visited him at his house in Tagaytay after he took a leave from his show. "Natuwa ako sa kanya. It wasn't politics. He really helped me when I needed it," he said.

For his "Wowowee" fans, he said they should not miss the September 21 show. "Lahat yan pinag-uusapan. I will announce it eventually. Hindi ako magtatago. At saka kung tatakbo ako, hindi ako magnanakaw. Magbibigay ako," he said.

He added that if he does join politics, it would be because of a genuine desire to help the poor.

"If you can do good, why not? Bakit mo aayawan yung makagawa ng mabuti? If I can quit in Wowowee and pwede naman gumawa ng isang bagay sa isang paraan na mas malawak at mas malaki - Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao ang matutulungan mo, siyempre mag-iisip ka rin," he said.