Ariella Arida is new ‘Wowowin’ co-host

MANILA, Philippines – After taking about two weeks off the air, Willie Revillame came back with his GMA 7 variety game show, Wowowin, on May 16, Monday. Along with this return, he announced a new co-host: Ariella “Ara” Arida.

Ariella was the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, where she placed 3rd runner-up to Venezuela’s Gabriela Isler.

She will be co-hosting with Bentong, Yvette Corral, and Kimchi.

Ara tweeted this after the reveal:

Waaahhh thank you so much. I’m so happy to be part of Wowowin! Thanks Wil & GMA for this opportunity! Patuloy ang saya sa #WowowinFiesta

— Ariella Arida (@araarida) May 16, 2016

Earlier, GMA Entertainment had deduced that the host would be a beauty queen based on Willie’s statement: “Naging proud tayo sa kanya. Of course, there’s Pia Wurtzbach na naging Miss Universe natin. Siya din naging contender din siya. Sana po mapanood niyo sa Monday. Every day makakasama natin siya.”

(We were also proud of her. Of course, there’s Pia Wurtzbach who became our Miss Universe. She, too, was once a contender. I hope you watch on Monday. Every day, we will be with her.”)

He added, “It’s a good thing na tinanggap niya ‘to kahit na mas maraming offers sa kanya sa ibang mga channels. She decided na dito kasi ang feeling niya, masaya dito. Gusto daw niya ‘yung nakakatulong ‘yung programa, nagbibigay ng saya.”

(It’s a good thing that she accepted this even though other channels have offered more. She decided to join here because she feels that it’s happy here. She wants a program that can help, bring joy.)

Willie explained to GMA Entertainment that the reason that Wowowin took a brief hiatus was upon his own request for a vacation, which he used to rest as well as to prepare for the incoming first anniversary of his show on GMA 7. During this time, GMA Network also expanded its election coverage.

He said, “Gusto ko ng pagbabago for this coming one-year [anniversary] – bagong mga games, bagong mga papremyo at bago ang set natin. Ibig sabihin ‘yung studio natin bago na talaga. Mas maganda, mas pinalaki, mas komportable na ang ating mga Kapuso.”

(I want changes for this coming one-year anniversary – new games, new prizes, and a new set. This means our studio will be really new. Prettier, bigger, and more comfortable for our Kapuso.)

Willie is still facing legal troubles regarding an ongoing child abuse case, with a rep from his legal team telling Interaksyon that he is ready for “a full-blown trial.” – Rappler.com