John Estrada decided to end ties with TV5

The conflict between celebrity friends John Estrada, Randy Santiago and Willie Revillame is far from over.

In fact, the tension escalated to new heights after John, who is part of the regular cast of "Everybody Hapi" on TV5, has been removed from the program.

"Ang masakit lang po, e, noong ipinaglaban ko, bigla pong sinabi sa akin na aalisin na ako sa programang 'yon," John lamented during the press conference of "Happy Yipee Yehey" on Tuesday at the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN.

He added that because of what happened, he decided to resign from his other show, the Sunday noontime variety program "PO5."

"Sa PO5 po, I had to resign. 'Yung sitcom ko po sa TV5, nalaman ko lang that management decided na aalisin na po ako. Hindi naman po siguro tayo... Kung alam naman po natin kung paano mag-isip, we can read between the lines."

Before he accepted the offer to host the noontime show "Happy Yipee Yehey!" on ABS-CBN, John made it clear to ABS-CBN Channel 2 chief Cory Vidanes and Entertainment TV head Linggit Tan that he has no intentions of leaving his regular stints in TV5.

"At sinabi ko roon sa lamesang 'yon, (during a lunch to discuss details of the noon time show) 'Pasensiya na po, hindi ko puwedeng iwanan [ang TV5] dahil sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng sitcom na matagal ko nang hinihingi dito [ABS-CBN]," said John. "Hindi namin iiwanan ang Channel 5. We're doing this one, ‘Happy, Yipee, Yehey!,' pero ibalato n'yo na po sa amin 'yon," added John, recalling what happened during the meeting with the ABS-CBN executives.

However due to the sudden turn of events, John decided to end ties with TV5. Even the exclusive coverage of his upcoming wedding with Brazillian model Priscilla Meirelles will be granted to ABS-CBN.

"Kausap ko po 'yong ibang boss ko sa TV5, sinabi nila sa akin na gusto nilang ituloy 'yon. Pero nakakatawa po 'yon dahil, isipin n'yo po, sila ang magko-cover ng kasal ko, 'tapos biglang, ‘Okay, ha. Thank you, ha, wala ka na next week.' Hindi na rin makakatotohanan 'yon di ba." John revealed. "Sinabi ko sa kanila, although hindi ko pa napipirmahan ang kontrata namin, sinabi ko, 'Pagpasensiyahan n'yo na, pero kung gano'n naman po, ibibigay ko na sa ABS-CBN 'to,'" he added.

On TV5 offer

Both Randy and John clarified Willie's claim that it was TV5 who made the first offer to host a noontime variety show.

John and Randy emphasized that there was never a concrete offer from TV5 and that the conversation was merely among friends.

"Usapang kaibigan 'yon, na parang ang dami na naming pinag-usapan na gano'n [shows, projects], na hindi naman natutuloy. So, doon lang po kami nanggagaling... Kung magbabarkada po ang nag-uusap, kapag sinabi, 'O, ako na ang bahala sa inyo, ha?' Ganoon lang kasimple 'yon. It was never concrete po. Noong nilapitan po kami ng ABS-CBN, that was something concrete. Siyempre po, pag-iisipan namin nang maigi 'yon," said John.

During those informal discussions, they conceptualized an upcoming TV5 program called "For The Boys," which was supposed to star John, Willie, and the rumored Kapatid transferee Aga Muhlach, Randy said. He added that it was uncertain if he would also star in the show or direct the program.

"Nire-ready namin 'yong ‘For The Boys'-si John, si Aga [Muhlach], si Willie, at saka ako, as artista or I'll direct the show...So, 'yon po ang pinag-uusapan na medyo inaayos namin noong kausap namin sina Aga," Randy added.

But when the "concrete" ABS-CBN offer came, John and Randy signed on despite a counter-offer from TV5.

This, John and Randy said, understandably hurt Willie and his on-air tirade on "Willing Willie" last January 26 was his reaction as a friend and not "power tripping."

"Power tripping? Ang dami pong nagsabi sa akin na 'yong ginawa niyang 'yon, e, power tripping. Pero ang sagot ko naman diyan na totoo... Nag-react lang siya bilang kaibigan. Alam n'yo, ang dami rin pong nagtanong sa akin kung totoong kaibigan ko si Willie. Ang daming nagtatanong, ''Yon bang totoo mong kaibigan? Ginano'n ka? At saka bakit ginawa sa 'yo 'yon?' Sinasabi ko, 'Hindi n'yo kasi naiintindihan ang pagkakaibigan namin.' Ang isang tunay na kaibigan, [kayang tanggapin] ang pagkabastos mo at ang pagkabuti mo," John said.

For Randy, he leaves it to the public to decide on the issue.

"Sa mga threads, sa mga comments, makikita ninyo puro gano'n, puro 'bastos' [si Willie] Pero sa amin, kahit gano'n ang nararamdaman namin, it never came out of our mouths, di ba? Kami na ang bahalang umintindi."

"Happy Yipee Yehey!" will have its grand pilot episode at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig this coming Saturday, February 12.