Geline Salac

Willie Revillame reacts to 'naghihirap' claims: 'Matatawa ka na lang'

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

During his prime on television, Willie Revillame was unquestionably one of the richest Filipino personalities, with everyone treating him like a king and a red carpet wherever he went, owing to his status as one of the country&#x27;s top taxpayers.After switching between TV networks and gradually becoming less visible, rumors circulated online that Revillame was struggling and had already sold some of his expensive properties.In a recent press conference organized by his publicist, Revillame finally put an end to claims that he is &quot;poor&quot; (“naghihirap”) now.He told the press, “Hindi totoo ‘yun. Minsan matatawa ka na lang sa mga ikinukuwento ng iba. Hindi ko alam kung kino-content ka or galit sa’yo.”“Kapag sinabing naghihirap na ako, hindi ko na pinapansin ‘yan,” he added.Explaining how he operates things, he continued, “Kung may maganda kang property — at may nagkagusto at kikita ka ng doble — hindi mo ba ibebenta? Ganoon, ‘di ba? So mag-i-invest ka ulit.”“Sa totoo lang, isa lang ang naibenta ko sa Tagaytay kasi sobrang laki nung tatlong hectares. Sobrang laki nung naging deal. Parang hindi ko na rin maasikaso. ‘Yung pera [sa napagbentahan], nabili ko ‘yung ibang properties [katulad] nung penthouse sa Grand Hyatt. Dalawang floors ang binili ko roon. Buong floors ha. Hindi isang unit lang,” he humbly said.Additionally, the TV host disputed that his mansions and yachts had already been sold, sharing, “Sa yate, naroon pa rin ‘yung yate. May private resort ako sa Puerto Galera. Malaking investment ‘yan. Pinapaganda ko. High-end hotel.”He also discussed his most recent investments in Bonifacio Global City.“Mayroon akong biniling buong floor (49th floor) sa BGC. Binili ko ‘yung buong penthouse sa BGC. Bumili ako ng apat na units sa tapat ng Mitsukoshi. Baka sabihin nagyayabang pero tinanong lang,” he shared.He continued, “May bago akong bahay. Ayaw ko na sana sabihin. Para sabihin n’yo na hindi ako naghihirap, may tatlo akong choppers. Binili ko ‘yung yate ko. Para hindi na ako mukhang naghihirap.”Emphasizing that all of his material accomplishments were the result of hard work, he added, “Lagi n’yong sinasabi na naghihirap na. Diyos ko. Once and for all na para malaman n’yo na lahat, hindi ko pinagyayabang ‘yan. Never n’yo ako nakita na nag-Facebook na nasa yate. Hindi ko pino-flaunt ‘yan. At hindi ito perang lukot — pinaghirapan ko ito dahil sa isang mikropono lang.”Revillame went on to say that he was never and still is not dazzled by extreme wealth.“Hindi ako naaano [nasisilaw] sa pera. Gusto kong itulong ito kung anong mayroon ako. Lahat ng ito ay pinaghirapan ko at para ibalik ko sa mga taong nag-angat sa akin sa buhay. Ganoon ang thinking ko lagi,” he stated.The Pinoy host then expressed gratitude to the television networks that made him famous and helped him achieve his current level of fortune.“Kaya pinapasalamatan ko ang ABS-CBN, TV5, GMA, AllTV — lahat ng mga may-ari niyan na tumanggap sa akin at tinulungan ako. At ang pinakaimportante ay ‘yung mga taong sumuporta sa mga programang ‘yan,” he ended.

During his prime on television, Willie Revillame was unquestionably one of the richest Filipino personalities, with everyone treating him like a king and a red carpet wherever he went, owing to his status as one of the country's top taxpayers.

During his prime on television, Willie Revillame was unquestionably one of the richest Filipino personalities, with everyone treating him like a king and a red carpet wherever he went, owing to his status as one of the country's top taxpayers.