Wowowee: Hope amidst tragedy
IMMIGRATION CORNER By Michael J. Gurfinkel
The Philippine Star
In the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Pasig (Ultra) that resulted in the deaths of at least 74 persons, and injuries to hundreds more, some are calling for the end of the popular noontime TV show "Wowowee", and the dismissal of its popular host Willie Revillame, because the show somehow "exploits the poor." While I respect these points of view, I would like to humbly offer my own opinion about a person who really has a kind heart, and a show that brings hope and joy to so many.
Preliminarily, I offer my sincerest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families. It is a tragedy that no one wanted to happen. I see that Willie and ABS-CBN are stepping forward and addressing the needs of the victims and their families. But I would also feel sorry for the millions of viewers who will lose the chance to be entertained and the hope of striking it big if Wowowee is pulled off the air.
While I have had the privilege to work with many celebrities, the thing that struck me most about Willie was his sincere passion and desire to help people in need.
When I accompanied him to the US Embassy in Manila for the processing of his entertainer’s visa for a series of Wowowee shows in the United States, people approached him to narrate their problems and greet him. He listened to each one of them, and gladly accommodated all those wanting autographs. Each eager fan was treated like a close friend.
In New York, Filipinos also came to him in droves, despite the bad weather, hoping to solicit help for their personal problems. Not only did he listen, he followed through with solutions, when he could. One contestant, Daniel Costes, had not seen his daughter for 9 years. Willie asked me to help, and we are assisting Daniel in bringing his daughter to the U.S. But that would have never happened, without the help of Willie.
This intense desire to help people in any way he can, has endeared Willie and Wowowee to millions of Filipinos all over the world, who watch his show thru ABS-CBN International and The Filipino Channel. It is not surprising then that so many Filipino balikbayans have made it a point to watch Wowowee live when they are in Manila and gladly give $10, $20, or more as prizes to the poorer members of the audience. Willie’s spirit of "giving" is contagious to others. He loves his audience, and would never dream of bringing harm to them.
Entertaining people and offering them some hope should be commended, not condemned. It is heartwarming to see people having fun, smiling and laughing at Wowowee, and some going home with bundles of money or goodies that they have won at the program.
I do not believe that Wowowee exploits the poor. The show (or its format) is really not the issue in this case, but instead how crowd control was handled and who may be responsible. (On that issue, I take no position and have no opinion. I leave it to others to resolve that point.) While everyone agrees that the tragic deaths are something no one wanted to happen, game shows such as Wowowee, offer "hope" to people. Saying we should end a show because it offers hope means that shows such as American Idol, Star for a Night, Night of Champions, and even beauty contests should likewise end, because they also offer hope and promise of fame, fortune, and a better life. But isn’t it hope that keeps us going? It enables us to bear the unbearable, all because of a chance, however small, of raising one’s self up from their present condition.
Using the same logic for canceling Wowowee, doctors should stop practicing medicine for the terminally ill, as it gives them hope. Lawyers should turn away clients with problems too difficult to resolve, as it may give the person "hope". But if turning away the hopeless is to be commended, how many of my own clients would still be in despair? Many had hopeless cases, but we offered them hope. And for those clients who believed, many were able to achieve their American Dream.
While not everyone would win a house, tricycle or money, all fans of Wowowee find the hope and inspiration it offers to give them strength. In the end, we may all learn from this tragedy, but shows such as Wowowee should be allowed to continue to entertain and offer hope and inspiration to viewers, audience, and contestants.
The Philippine Star
In the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Pasig (Ultra) that resulted in the deaths of at least 74 persons, and injuries to hundreds more, some are calling for the end of the popular noontime TV show "Wowowee", and the dismissal of its popular host Willie Revillame, because the show somehow "exploits the poor." While I respect these points of view, I would like to humbly offer my own opinion about a person who really has a kind heart, and a show that brings hope and joy to so many.
Preliminarily, I offer my sincerest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families. It is a tragedy that no one wanted to happen. I see that Willie and ABS-CBN are stepping forward and addressing the needs of the victims and their families. But I would also feel sorry for the millions of viewers who will lose the chance to be entertained and the hope of striking it big if Wowowee is pulled off the air.
While I have had the privilege to work with many celebrities, the thing that struck me most about Willie was his sincere passion and desire to help people in need.
When I accompanied him to the US Embassy in Manila for the processing of his entertainer’s visa for a series of Wowowee shows in the United States, people approached him to narrate their problems and greet him. He listened to each one of them, and gladly accommodated all those wanting autographs. Each eager fan was treated like a close friend.
In New York, Filipinos also came to him in droves, despite the bad weather, hoping to solicit help for their personal problems. Not only did he listen, he followed through with solutions, when he could. One contestant, Daniel Costes, had not seen his daughter for 9 years. Willie asked me to help, and we are assisting Daniel in bringing his daughter to the U.S. But that would have never happened, without the help of Willie.
This intense desire to help people in any way he can, has endeared Willie and Wowowee to millions of Filipinos all over the world, who watch his show thru ABS-CBN International and The Filipino Channel. It is not surprising then that so many Filipino balikbayans have made it a point to watch Wowowee live when they are in Manila and gladly give $10, $20, or more as prizes to the poorer members of the audience. Willie’s spirit of "giving" is contagious to others. He loves his audience, and would never dream of bringing harm to them.
Entertaining people and offering them some hope should be commended, not condemned. It is heartwarming to see people having fun, smiling and laughing at Wowowee, and some going home with bundles of money or goodies that they have won at the program.
I do not believe that Wowowee exploits the poor. The show (or its format) is really not the issue in this case, but instead how crowd control was handled and who may be responsible. (On that issue, I take no position and have no opinion. I leave it to others to resolve that point.) While everyone agrees that the tragic deaths are something no one wanted to happen, game shows such as Wowowee, offer "hope" to people. Saying we should end a show because it offers hope means that shows such as American Idol, Star for a Night, Night of Champions, and even beauty contests should likewise end, because they also offer hope and promise of fame, fortune, and a better life. But isn’t it hope that keeps us going? It enables us to bear the unbearable, all because of a chance, however small, of raising one’s self up from their present condition.
Using the same logic for canceling Wowowee, doctors should stop practicing medicine for the terminally ill, as it gives them hope. Lawyers should turn away clients with problems too difficult to resolve, as it may give the person "hope". But if turning away the hopeless is to be commended, how many of my own clients would still be in despair? Many had hopeless cases, but we offered them hope. And for those clients who believed, many were able to achieve their American Dream.
While not everyone would win a house, tricycle or money, all fans of Wowowee find the hope and inspiration it offers to give them strength. In the end, we may all learn from this tragedy, but shows such as Wowowee should be allowed to continue to entertain and offer hope and inspiration to viewers, audience, and contestants.
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7:48 AM
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