After five months of airing with a major hosting cast change midway in its stint replacing the controversial “Wowowee,” the ABS-CBN variety show “Pilipinas Win na Win” will take its final bow on New Year’s Eve.
ABS-CBN, through its Head of Corporate Communications Bong Osorio, made the announcement in a statement sent to Yahoo! Southeast Asia on Thursday, December 23:
“Pilipinas Win na Win (PWNW) will have its last episode on December 31, 2010. The ABS-CBN management thanks the Hitmakers, Valerie Concepcion, Kaye Brosas, and Pokwang, the PWNW production group, and most important, its viewers for their support of the program."
ABS-CBN also revealed that “Showtime” will extend program hours to fill in void left by the axed show.
“In the meantime, SHOWTIME will occupy the slot left by PWNW. With its extended time, SHOWTIME will continue to bring more great fun, and hope to Filipinos worldwide,” the statement added.
The show, which was originally hosted by Kris Aquino, Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, and Pokwang, first aired on July 31, dashing hopes that Willie Revillame’s ABS-CBN noontime show will return on air. “Wowowee” was axed after Willie had gone on indefinite leave from the show over his on-air rant against fellow Kapamilya talent Jobert Sucaldito.
In early October, Kris announced she was leaving the show to give way to a group of OPM legends, composed of Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuniga, also known as the “Hitmakers,” who have since hosted the show with Pokwang and Valerie. K Brosas was added last month after she pinch-hit for Pokwang during the latter’s absence for a show overseas.
Robin and Mariel had left the show much earlier and supposedly tied the knot in India during the holy month of Ramadan in August. The two were also supposedly “wed” in Ibaloi rites in Baguio a few weeks after.
Willie, who asked a Quezon City court to rescind his contract with ABS-CBN, has since moved to TV5. He has co-produced the show “Willing Willie” for the new “Kapatid” network. His new show currently enjoys good ratings in its early evening timeslot. Since Willie’s controversial exodus, the "Kapamilya" network filed a P428-M counterclaim suit against Willie over his contract breach, and a P127-M copyright infringement case against “Willing Willie” producers, including Willie, and TV5 for featuring segments that it said were similar to “Wowowee.”
