Weekend at the park Wowowillie + Annabelle Rama’s ‘birthday’

TELEVISION host Willie Revillame will bring his variety show “Wowowillie” to Cebu City today. It may also serve to shore up the candidacy of talent manager Annabelle Rama two weeks before the May 13 polls. “Tuloy na tuloy po si Willie Revillame at ang “Wowowillie” sa Cebu! Magkita kita po tayo bukas, April 27, sa Plaza Independencia at 6pm!” actress Ruffa Gutierrez posted on her Twitter account “iloveruffag” and which her mother, Annabelle, retweeted. Ruffa’s tweet also mentioned singer Ogie Alcasid and actor James Blanco as among those who will be joining Revillame’s show “for the love of Annabelle Rama.” The talent manager is running for the congressional seat of Cebu City’s north district. Work resumed to mount a stage at the Plaza Independencia, a day after it was ordered stopped by Parks and Playgrounds Commissioner Ado Macaraya on Thursday after organizers failed to show a permit to use the historic plaza. A permit application was sent to the commission late Thursday afternoon for Macaraya’s signature. The applicant, Maritess Caindec, paid P10,000 to use the plaza from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. today and Sunday. “Wowowillie” will use the plaza stage today while another event will be held on Sunday to celebrate Rama’s birthday. Caindec wrote Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama last Monday to seek permission for use of Plaza Independencia for the Wowowillie show. A second letter was sent to the mayor’s office the next day seeking permission for the plaza’s use for the birthday celebration of Annabelle, the mayor’s cousin. Annabelle was born on Oct. 28, 1952. Asked why his cousin is celebrating her birthday six months in advance, Mayor Rama said the talent manager celebrates her birthday twice a year – April 28 and October 28. When pressed to further explain why, the mayor replied: “Iyaha nang personal (nga decision).” “I learned that years back. Naay nahitabo ana sa iyang kinabuhi,” the mayor said. (Something significant happened in her life.) Rama said he would sign the Plaza Independencia permit as soon as it reaches his office. He recalled that since he approved a permit for Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) to use Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard for their April 19 proclamation rally, there was no reason why he would not allow Wowowillie and Annabelle’s birthday celebration at the Plaza Independencia. “What’s important is that they have decided to be here. All we have to do is secure the area,” he said. Rama said he and other Team Rama candidates were invited to both weekend events. “I can’t be too clear about the details yet,” he said, adding that he wants Team Rama supporters to be at the plaza on Sunday for Annabelle’s birthday celebration. “Si Annabelle na gud na. Ang-ang biyaan nato si Annabelle,” he said. (That’s Annabelle. We won’t leave her behind). Rafael Yap, head of the Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom), said there was no need for the show organizers to seek a traffic permit because they will be using an enclosed area. “If there’s no impact on traffic, no need (for a traffic permit),” Yap told Cebu Daily News. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters