MANILA, Philippines – TV host Willie Revillame said that he was pleased with President Benigno Aquino III’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a interview with reporters while on the red carpet of YES! magazine’s 15th anniversary party, Monday, July 27, Willie said he was glad that P-Noy was honest in his speech. Willie endorsed Manny Villar in the 2010 presidential elections and was a vocal critic of P-Noy. 

“Gusto ko yung SONA ng presidente, naging honest siya… it’s about time pasalamatan niya yung mga hindi siya iniwan… Yung importante yung di tayo nananakawan,” Willie said. 

(I like the SONA of the President, he was honest…it’s about time he thanked everyone who did not leave him…what’s important is nothing was stolen from us.)

Regarding his status as one of showbiz’s wealthiest personalities, Willie said that he attributes it to the hard work he has put in for many years.

“It’s not about kayamanan, hardworking, so fruits of labor iyan lahat. Yung kayamanan mo naman is not about the money, it’s how you invest your money…” he said.

(It’s not about the wealth, hardworking so that the fruits of your labor. The wealth is not about the money, it’s how you invest your money..)

During his speech when he accepted a special recognition for being one of the magazine’s best-selling cover stars, Willie also told artists present at the event to invest their money well.

“As an artist, yung mga nakikita ko na pag-hindi na nag-rarate, pag may edad ka na, wala kang investment, mawawalan ang mga artista. Sana maging inspirasyon ito…” Willie said of his story.

(As an artist, what I see is if [the show] does not rate, when you get older, you do not have any investments, there is nothing for the artists. I hope this will serve as an inspiration.)

“Lesson sa ating mga artista sa showbiz na pag nakakapera ka properties agad , investment agad.  Kasi once nawala na tayo sa industriya tandaan ninyo, ang industriyang ito pag matanda na tayo may bagong lumalabas.

(Let it be a lesson to us people in showbiz, that if you have the money, put it in properties, invest immediately. Because once we are gone in this profession, remember this industry when we get older, there will be new ones to replace us.)

Last night, Willie Revillame shares his story on working hard for his money. #YESat15 pic.twitter.com/9cdqS8dzNS

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) July 28, 2015

“Pag wala ka nang ratings, hindi ka na bida…pag mababa na rating mo iba na ang tingin sa iyo. Maraming nagmamahal sa iyo sa industriya pero mas mahalin mo ang sarili. Kasi, at the end of the day, kapag may sakit ka na, dapat may pera ka sa bulsa para hindi tayo nagmumukhang kawawa, lalapit kung kani-kanino, manghihingi ka ng pera,” Willie said.

(If you do not have the ratings, you’re not the star…if the ratings are low, people will look at you differently. Many people will love you in this industry, but love yourself more because at the end of the day, if you get sick, you should have money in your pocket so we won’t look so pitiful or have to approach just anyone to ask for money) 

He also called on all the artists to unite regardless of of their affiliate stations.

“Magsama-sama tayo maski sa channel 5, maski sa channel 2 ka, sa channel 7 ka. Kung artista ka na nangangailangan ng tulong, hindi porke’t tiga channel 5 ka, hindi mo na tutulungan. Ito na yung time na dapat magsama-sama tayo. Uunlad tayo dapat magsama-sama tayo, magtulungan tayo. Hindi tayo magkaka-away hindi tayo magkakalaban…,” he said.

(Let’s all join together even if you’re from channel 5, if you come from channel 2, channel 7. If you are an artist who needs help, just because you are from channel 5 does not mean you should not help. This is the time for all of us to join together. We will do well, let us join together, let us help each other. We’re not enemies, we’re not competing with each other.)

His success and controversies in showbiz have made headlines throughout the years. Willie started his career playing drums and being a sidekick in movies. He also appeared on the show Lunch Date back in the late ’80s, where he formed a friendship with singer Randy Santiago. He is perhaps best known for his noontime shows like Wowowee.

But along the way, Willie faced a string of controversies, some surrounding his various shows – including altercations with other hosts, audience objection to some of the content, and a suspension for making inappropriate jokes on his show. – Rappler.com