Ang Kwento sa likod ni Willie Revillame’s ‘Bigyan ng Jacket Yan’ phrase

54-year old TV host and recording artist Willie Revillame loves his audience, particularly older people frequenting the studio to watch his show live.

Through the years he established a good rapport with them not just through prizes but also by providing them warmth via a jacket, which led to him popularizing the phrase, “Bigyan na ng jacket yan!”

Willie, in a radio interview with DZBB’s Mike Enriquez and Ali Sotto, explained how the habit started. He related how an elderly woman, an international subscriber of his former network, asked him if he had a blanket or jacket she could use because she was cold. He saw a jacket and gave it to the elderly woman. An older man saw his gesture and also asked for one.

“I realized na shelter ito. Dinadamitan mo at binibihisan mo ang mga matatanda nagiging warm sila sa ‘yo. ‘Yung warmth ng tao, pag warm sila sa ‘yo, may pagmamahal, ‘yun na ‘yun. Kaya ko naisip ‘yung jacket na ‘yan. Kaya naging popular yan,” explained Willie.

He added that compared to younger people, more attention should be given to the elderly because of what they have gone through in life.

“Yung programang ‘Wowowee’ dati or ‘Wowowillie” kung anuman ‘yung programang ‘yun, hindi naman ako ang bida, sila. Sila ang nag-pe-perform, sila ang nag-kukuwento ng buhay nila. We listen to them. Kaya lang bibigyan mo ng premyo para ganahan sa buhay. Kaya huwag ninyong tinitipid ang mga programa ninyo,” he related.

Willie’s new show, kick off last Sunday, May 10, will feature the game “Bigyan ng Jacket Yan.”

“Meron kaming sampung jacket na bumababa mula sa langit. Ngayon may mga tanong. Sa bawat tamang tanong may swerteng pera ‘yan. Pag nasagot mo ‘yung jackpot may P200, 000 na pataas ng pataas. Hanggang P1 million ang prize,” he shared.

Known to popularize upbeat songs for the masses, Willie proudly announced his show’s opening song titled “Sumayaw, Gumalaw, Tumalon” is composed by good friend Lito Camo.

“Gusto ko simula ng show masaya na pati ambiance ng studio dapat masaya. Kaya nga may mini show pa ako bago magsimula ‘yung actual show,” he remarked.

So what else should fans expect this Sunday?

“This Sunday, taped muna kasi inayos namin, pinaganda namin,” said Willie. “Parang nanunuod ka ng Grammy Awards. I spent about P2 million. Mga seven days rehearsal, siyempre papakainin mo mga dancers, may mga budget ‘yan, bigay natin lahat. Makikita ninyo ‘yan. Ngayon sa sobrang ganda ng show, maikli ‘yung oras, ginawa naming two episodes.”

Willie is thankful for his staff who have stayed with him through thick and thin. They have been part of his drive to find ways to produce a new TV show.

“I’m so blessed. Pinagkaloob sa akin ng Panginoon Diyos ito. Sobra ito. Sa financial, sa properties na kung magkakaanak ako, magkakaiba, maayos ang buhay nila. Kaya binabalik ko sa mga tao,” expressed Willie as his show nears.