ScribbledBabbling.com

This post was written on February 7, 2006 after the Wowowee Stampede. I never got to finish writing it but after I received a text message from mahBebe about this year’s “celebration”, I decided to complete and publish it now.
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My mom used to work for a government program that had it’s offices in Pasig. For years, I remember going to ULTRA to watch basketball games or to simply run around. That complex will always be the University of Life to me. PhilSports Arena doesn’t resonate at all.

It’s been years since I’ve been there and my memories of the place are hazy. All I know for sure is that I had my picture taken with my childhood love Francis Magalona at the basketball court during one of the celebrity ball games. Oh yeah, Gary V was there too.

What happened on February 4 at the supposed Wowowee Anniversary show has been reported, discussed, investigated, reviewed and mourned. I need to say my piece since my education in the medium that I so love demands me to. This is a personal piece so I decided to publish this here instead of over at TVBuff.

I am not a fan of Willie Revillame but he’s a hit with the masa because of all the things that I hate about him. He is crass, foul and knows how to play to people’s emotions. People can relate to his jokes when he makes fun of a person’s appearance or demeanor. No offense meant but I am not his audience.

What galls me is the fact that they market this noon time show as the hope for those who are needy. The fact that a lot of people were willing to stand in line for several days for a chance to win a couple of thousand attest to the fact that money is a lure. It pains me to hear those who stood in line saying that this is their only hope.
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Flashforward to January 27, 2007. I woke up at around 10am and a text message from mahBebe goes:

FYI: sa mga fans ng wowowee. Wag na kayong umattend ng birthday ni willie kung ayaw nyo masigawan ng pulis or ma-hose ng firetruck. ako mismong nakakita kung pano ipagtabuyan na parang mga hayop ang gustong manood ng BIRTHDAY SHOW ni willie.(FYI: Wowowee fans. If you don’t want to be shouted at or hosed by firetrucks, don’t go to Willie’s birthday celebration. I witnessed how people who wanted to watch Willie’s birthday show were turned away like animals.)

The first thought that came to my mind was, “here we go again.”