The game show “Wowowee” resumed its telecast on March 11. Its host, Willie Revillame, turned up with hardly a trace of the agonized, pained man that he was on the show’s anniversary on Feb. 4, which turned out to be a tragedy for the nation.

Willie was in high spirits and even occasionally ribbed his contestants sweetly. He also showed concern for their well-being, knowing that they are not just nervous but also anxious to win prizes. He requested a glass of water to be brought to one male contestant when he looked like he was about to hyperventilate.

The revived show had the same set of co-hosts as before and practically the same game procedures, with little innovations here and there. It has a new quiz segment for kids, though. Willie goaded the little contestants to show off their talent before they played.

Oh, yes, and what happens to the tickets given away for the supposed anniversary show at Ultra?

A voice-over cheerily announced that all tickets that are still in good condition and have no evidence of being tampered with would be honored on pre-scheduled days at the ABS-CBN 2 “Wowowee” studio. The ticket holders can still become contestants.

The Saturday revival of the show was ushered in by a five-day dramatization of the lives of some of “Wowowee’s” winners. Soon after the tragic stampede, the show was accused of promoting mendicancy. The special feature in a way was made to disprove the accusation since the former winners were shown to have had jobs before they joined the contest.

What was emphasized was the inadequacy of their income, which prompted them to join “Wowowee” and gave them the opportunity to bring home an unexpected but much-needed bonus prize.

The studio was packed that Saturday, and not just with the masa audience but by the show’s well-heeled fans from abroad — balikbayans who have seen “Wowowee” through The Filipino Channel. They have long been donating money to the show that Willie turns over to its impoverished viewers.

At press time, Willie and several ABS-CBN 2 executives are awaiting the decision of the Department of Justice on the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation for charges to be filed against them for the death of 74 persons and the injury of more than 200 in the tragedy.

Writer Isah Red wrote that ABS-CBN executive Charo Santos-Concio and other network officers and production crew were “visibly amused” and “were obviously trying to show the TV audiences that nothing can stop ‘Wowowee’ Not the NBI recommendation...neither the opinion of many that putting the show back on the air would leave a bad taste in the mouth, nor the fact that ‘Wowoweee’ never rated anywhere close to ‘Eat Bulaga’ at any given time.”

“For Charo, et al, the show must go on,” says Isah.

“And it is going on, with some modifications, perhaps to avoid committing the same tragic mistakes in the future. It will go on, sadly, because advertisers continue to back the show up,” says Isah. “It will remain on the air because there are still millions of Filipinos who pin their hopes for better life on chance. It is the lottery or sweepstakes mentality (not mendicancy, as others would like to say) that keep game shows (including ‘Eat Bulaga’) popular among the country’s millions of economically disadvantaged lot. Filipinos have short memory, they say. And network executives hope it wouldn’t be long when the tragedy at the Ultra would ultimately be forgotten.”

South Border, Jasmine
pack convention center

To kick off their U.S. concert tour, South Border, the country’s premiere R&B group; and “American Idol” finalist Jasmine Trias recently presented a back-to-back concert at the jampacked Cebu Grand Convention Center.

Complete with the All Stars Dancers and a videographics show, the concert featured South Border’s hit songs plus Jasmine’s signature songs. It was one of South Border’s last performances in the Philippines, as they will be embarking on an extensive U.S. tour and more shows in Europe and Australia, starting mid-March.

South Border — composed of Jay Durias, Duncan Ramos, Vince Alaras, Paul Benitez, Butch Victoriano, Randolf Balane and Ric Junasa — dished out some of their big hits like “Rainbow,” “Kahit Kailan,” “Wherever You Are” and “Ikaw Lang,” among others.

Jasmine’s repertoire included her signature song “Inseparable” which she sang in “American Idol,” and cuts from her debut album such as “Loose Control,” “Kung Paano” and “Sana Lagi.”

The New York leg of their U.S. tour is slated on April 8 (Saturday) at 7 p.m. at the famous ROXY, 515 West 18th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues) in Manhattan.

Call (718) 476-0181 or (917) 577-4799 for tickets, or visit www.miraclesent.com  or www.nosajentertainment.com

Raul Sunico returns to N.Y.

International pianist Raul Sunico, now dean of the UST Conservatory of Music in Manila, will be back in the Big Apple for a piano recital to benefit the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

It will be held on April 22 at the Cathedral High School auditorium of the New York Catholic Center on East 56th Street and First Avenue.
Rev. Fr. Erno Diaz, who met with Sunico in Manila in June, finalized the deal after Edward Cardinal Egan gave his blessing to undertake the fund-raiser for the repairs, renovation and operation of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz on Broome Street.

The fund-raising campaign started off in December with the commemorative donors’ phase. Specific features and programs of the Chapel like Stations of the Cross and pews or the music ministry program were made available for sponsorship. The next phases include the founding members’ gifts and the general offering.

Those who wish to help or know more about the fund drive may call Fr. Diaz at (212) 966-1019 or write to the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, 378 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013.