Former ‘Eat Bulaga’ Host Responds to Cristy Fermin’s Claims, Reveals Revillame’s ‘Pay When Able’ Arrangement

In his ongoing, highly publicized media campaign, Anjo Yllana has directly addressed claims made by showbiz commentator Cristy Fermin regarding a significant unpaid debt to veteran host Willie Revillame. Fermin had reportedly brought up the debt as part of her broader criticism of Yllana, which stemmed from his recent controversial attacks on former Senate President and Eat Bulaga host, Tito Sotto.

In an exclusive interview on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Yllana did not deny the existence of the debt. Instead, he offered a detailed explanation, revealing the extent of Revillame’s generosity and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the loan.

Acknowledging the Debt and Revillame’s Kindness

Yllana was quick to acknowledge the help he received from Revillame, stressing that the two share a long and close history in the entertainment industry.

“I reached out to him [Willie], and Willie is a good person,” Yllana explained. “If you truly know him, he is generous. But if you don’t know him, he can be aloof.”

Yllana recounted that during a time when he was experiencing financial difficulty—a common occurrence in the volatile nature of showbiz where earnings are “up and down”—he was forced to borrow money. He admitted that his work history was often inconsistent, even referencing his decades-long stint on Eat Bulaga: “Sometimes, there was a salary; sometimes, there was none. Sometimes, there was no salary for eight months.”

Willie Revillame’s “Pay When Able” Policy

According to Yllana, when he approached Revillame and committed to paying back the loan once his financial situation improved, the response from the generous host was remarkable. Revillame reportedly refused to impose a deadline, offering an exceptionally kind gesture:

“He helped me and he no longer wanted me to pay,” Yllana stated. Revillame’s definitive answer to the repayment offer was: “Ganito na lang, pay when able. Bahala ka na kung kailan mo gusto. Kung mayaman na mayaman ka na, sige.” (Let’s just do it this way: Pay when able. It’s up to you when you want to. If you become very, very rich, then go ahead.)

Yllana’s clarification paints Revillame as a benevolent figure who was willing to extend financial support to a close friend and colleague without the pressure of immediate repayment. Yllana also admitted that he is aware of many others in the industry whom Revillame has similarly helped.

Context of the Controversy

The revelation about the debt was primarily fueled by Cristy Fermin, who has been fiercely critical of Yllana. Fermin’s attacks were triggered by Yllana’s earlier, sensational claims against Tito Sotto, alleging that the former Senate President had a mistress and traveled abroad to visit her. Yllana’s recent media tour, characterized by accusations against Sotto and TV5 executives, has opened up his own personal and financial history to public scrutiny, leading to the public disclosure of his arrangement with Revillame.

While Yllana successfully clarified the nature of the debt and the generosity of the creditor, the revelation remains part of the turbulent media storm surrounding his controversial political bid and his feud with the highly respected personalities of the Eat Bulaga collective.