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Ramon Bautista Revilla Sr. (Tagalog pronunciation: [rɛˈbiljɐ]; born Jose Acuña Bautista; March 8, 1927 – June 26, 2020),[1] popularly known simply as Ramon Revilla Sr. or Don Ramon Revilla, was a Filipino actor who served as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.
Ramon B. Revilla Sr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2004 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jose Acuña Bautista March 8, 1927 Imus, Cavite, Philippine Islands |
| Died | June 26, 2020 (aged 93) Taguig, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Lakas–CMD (from 1998) |
| Other political affiliations | Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (until 1998) |
| Spouse |
Azucena Mortel (died 1998) |
| Children | 72 (including Bong, Ram and Strike) |
| Residence(s) | Bacoor, Cavite |
| Alma mater | Far Eastern University (Bcom) |
| Occupation | Actor, politician, producer |
| Awards | Famas Best Actor (1974) Famas Presidential Award (2005) Special Award Outstanding Star of The Century (2019) Posthumous Award (2021) |
He was known as the Hari ng Agimat and King Of True To Life Story in Philippine films.
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Revilla graduated in Far Eastern University wherein he finished his bachelor's degree in commerce.[2]
In his initial entry to the film industry, the young Revilla was cast only in bit roles which was not enough for him so he left the film industry to become head of the Secret Service Unit of the Bureau of Customs in 1965.
He returned to the film industry in 1972 with the film Nardong Putik: Kilabot ng Cavite, which started his fame.[citation needed]
He also returned on his own terms, creating his own film production, Imus Productions, for him to star in. Together with partner Azucena, they ran the film outfit with Revilla writing and directing his films under the pseudonym Jose Yandoc.
His characters in the films "Pepeng Agimat" and "Nardong Putik" gave him the image of being an invincible superhuman who had in his keeping a special anting-anting (amulet of superhuman powers). This image of his is somewhat alive because ABS-CBN adapted his 4 major films into television series entitled Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla.
Accolades
In 1973, Revilla won a Famas Best Actor Award for "Hulihin si Tiyagong Akyat" together with his son Marlon Bautista for a Famas Best Child Actor Award of the same movie. Imus Productions was also recognized as Outstanding Film production in 1975. The next year, Revilla snagged the Outstanding Producer of the Year Award.[citation needed]
In 1979, he was Most Outstanding Actor and Box Office King.[3]
In 2011, in the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards Night (CMMA), Revilla was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.[4]
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In 1992, Revilla became a senator, holding office until the end of his two terms in 2004. He served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Motion Pictures and Television in the 10th and 11th Congresses, working on legislations pertaining to the advancement of the Philippine Motion Picture Industry and children's welfare.[5]
Despite having a number of detractors, Senator Revilla was the author of some important bills, including the "Revilla Law" lowering the penalties imposed on the illegal possession of firearms, which had been increased by a law signed during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos.[6]
An amendment to the Family Code of the Philippines, enacted into the law in February 2004, states "The illegitimate children may use the surname of their father if their affiliation has been expressly recognized by the father through the record of birth appearing in the civil register, or when an admission in a public document or private handwritten instrument is made by the father." "The child should not suffer the stigma of his illegitimacy," Revilla Sr. once quoted saying.
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On October 17, 2013, Revilla broke his silence and officially aired his emotions about Ram Revilla's murder case and Ramon Joseph's detainment:
"I felt like the world fell on me when I was informed that my son Ramón Joseph was not allowed by the court to post bail. I do believe that my son cannot do anything heinous. My children grew up in the word of God. He was a good son. He was arrested without a warrant of arrest and he has been suffering in jail for almost two years. My son is innocent."
— Ramon Revilla, Sr., [7]
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Revilla was the youngest child of the 10 children of businessman Ildefonso Bautista and Andrea Acuña.
His first family was with the mother of Evelyn Bautista, wife of former basketball player and former Senator Robert Jaworski.[citation needed]
He was married to Azucena Mortel, who was born on February 16, 1944, and died on May 31, 1998, at the age of 54.[citation needed] They produced seven children: Marlon, Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, Jose Mari (Bong Revilla), Rebecca Bautista-Ocampo (Princess Revilla), Edwin (Strike Revilla), Andrea Bautista-Ynares, and Diana. With his extramarital affairs, his children numbered at least 39; Bong's spokesperson Portia Ilagan claimed that the number reached 72.[8][9] In a 2004 interview with journalist Jessica Soho, Revilla admitted that he probably has more than 80 children.[10] Actor Ram Revilla and film producer and politician Ramon Nicolas Bautista were two of his children from his extramarital affairs.[11][12]
On May 31, 2020, Revilla was rushed to the St. Dominic Medical Center in Bacoor, Cavite. The next day, he was transferred to the St. Luke's Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, where he stayed in the intensive care unit for two weeks.[13] Revilla Sr. died of heart failure at around 5:20pm PHT on June 26, 2020, aged 93.[14][15]
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Revilla statue
On his 84th birthday, a statue was unveiled to the public.[16] The 10-meter (33 ft) bronze statue was made by Filipino sculptor and national artist Eduardo Castrillo. It was unveiled at Revilla's residence in Bacoor, Cavite.[16] Also during this event, Revilla's children gave him another surprise by officially opening the "Memo Revilla," a museum showcasing his old photographs and film memorabilia such as the "anting-anting" (amulet) and "panday" (sword).[16] His star-studded birthday celebration was attended by the biggest names in Philippine show business and politics alike. Former presidents Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were among the big personalities who came to the event.[16]
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| Title | Year | Role | Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulo ng Engkanto | 1951 | (as Gallardo Acuña) | LVN Pictures |
| Yolanda | 1951 | (as Gallardo Acuña) | LVN Pictures |
| Tenyente Carlos Blanco | 1952 | (as Gallardo Acuña) | LVN Pictures |
| Ulila ng Bataan | 1952 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Siklab sa Batangas | 1952 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Recuerdo | 1953 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Mister Kasintahan | 1953 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| May Umaga Pang Darating | 1953 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Gorio at Tekla | 1953 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Matandang Dalaga | 1954 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Anak sa Panalangin | 1954 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Sa Dulo ng Landas | 1955 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Kurdapya | 1955 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Bim, Bam, Bum | 1955 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Balisong | 1955 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Binibining Kalog | 1955 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Babalu | 1956 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Tarhata | 1957 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Katawang Lupa | 1957 | Sampaguita Pictures | |
| Big Time Berto | 1959 | ||
| Pitong Biyuda | 1959 | Larry Santiago Productions | |
| Matandang Pa-Charming | 1960 | Tomas | Larry Santiago Productions |
| Gabi ng Lagim (segment 1) | 1960 | Larry Santiago Productions | |
| Walang Daigdig | 1960 | Tiagong Bulag | Larry Santiago Productions |
| True Confessions | 1960 | Larry Santiago Productions | |
| Johnny Davao | 1960 | Larry Santiago Productions | |
| Dakilang 9 | 1961 | ||
| Pantalan 3 | 1961 | Larry Santiago Productions | |
| Magdasal Kana! | 1961 | ||
| Santa Clarang Pinung-Puno | 1962 | ||
| Sakdalista | 1962 | ||
| Kadiong Ngiti | 1962 | ||
| Scout Rangers | 1964 | ||
| Mariveles | 1964 | ||
| Kumander Fidela | 1964 | ||
| Liku-Likung Landas | 1968 | ||
| Nardong Putik: Kilabot ng Cavite | 1972 | Leonardo Manicio Alyas Nardong Putik | Cavite Pictures |
| Pepeng Agimat: Sa Daigdig ng Kababalaghan | 1973 | Pepe | Imus Productions |
| Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat | 1973 | Santiago Ronquillo | Imus Productions |
| Kill RP-9 O | 1974 | Steve Vergada, Agent Nine-O | Imus Productions |
| Sunugin ang Samar | 1974 | Imus Productions | |
| Kapitan Eddie Set: Mad Killer of Cavite | 1974 | Kap. Eddie Set | Imus Productions |
| Ibilanggo si Cavite Boy | 1974 | Cavite Boy | Imus Productions |
| Kill... The Carnapers | 1974 | Cameo Role | Cavite Pictures Inc |
| Happy Days Are Here Again | 1974 | Himself | LVN Pictures/Sampagita Pictures/Premiere Productions |
| Kapitan Kulas Kilabot ng Sierra Madre | 1975 | Kulas | Lea Productions |
| Balakyot | 1975 | Imus Productions | |
| Paglaya Ko... | 1975 | Imus Productions | |
| Dugo at Pag Ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa | 1975 | Aguilar (segment 2) | |
| Ang Lihim ni Rosa Henson sa Buhay ni Kumander Lawin | 1976 | Kumander Lawin | Imus Productions |
| Bergado: Terror of Cavite | 1976 | Bergado | Imus Productions |
| Rebel Hunter | 1976 | Brig. Gen. Romeo G. Gatan | Imus Productions |
| Beloy Montemayor | 1976 | Beloy Montemayor | Imus Productions |
| Hustler Squad | 1976 | Paco Rodriguez | Imus Productions |
| Bertong Suklab | 1976 | Berto | Imus Productions |
| Mario Alarcon | 1976 | Mario | Imus Productions |
| Gulapa (Ang Barakong Mayor ng Maragondon) | 1977 | Gulapa | Imus Productions |
| Bianong Bulag | 1977 | Bibiano Angeles aka Bianong Bulag | Imus Productions |
| Task Force Kingfisher | 1977 | Imus Productions | |
| Asawa Ko Silang Lahat (Sa Puting Tabing) | 1977 | Rading Ruiz | Azucena Films International |
| Malabanan | 1978 | Imus Productions | |
| Last Target | 1978 | Nardo | Imus Productions |
| Camerino | 1978 | Dominador M. Camerino | Imus Productions |
| Mga Mata ni Angelita | 1978 | Barrio Kapitan (Guest) | Imus Productions |
| Feliciano | 1978 | Feliciano | Imus Productions |
| Cobra, Lawin at Dragon | 1978 | ||
| Boy Imus: Anak Ni Tiagong Akyat | 1978 | Tiagong Akyat | Imus Productions |
| Reblede Numero Uno | 1978 | Imus Productions | |
| Boy Putik | 1979 | Imus Productions | |
| Tonyong Bayawak | 1979 | Tonyong Bayawak | Imus Productions |
| Matanglawin | 1979 | Magno | Lea Productions |
| Dang-Dong | 1980 | Barrio Captain | Imus Productions |
| Mission: Terrorize Panay | 1980 | Pablito Gepana Alyas Kumander Milan | Imus Productions |
| Leon Ng Central Luzon | 1980 | Imus Productions | |
| Target!: Kanang Kamay Ni Nardo | 1980 | Nardong Putik (uncredited) | |
| 25 Taong Takas | 1980 | Imus Productions | |
| Sierra Madre | 1981 | Lea Productions | |
| Alfredo Sebastian | 1981 | Alfredo | Imus Productions |
| Kamlon | 1981 | Imus Productions | |
| Raul Zaragoza | 1981 | Raul | |
| Tenyente Pugot | 1981 | ||
| Rampador Alindog | 1981 | Imus Productions | |
| Labag sa Batas | 1982 | Imus Productions | |
| Tulisan ng Pasong Musang | 1982 | Imus Productions | |
| The Killing of Satan (known as Lumaban ka Satanas) |
1983 | Lando San Miguel | Cinex Films Inc |
| Dugong Buhay | 1983 | Samuel | Viva Films/Imus Productions |
| Juramentado | 1983 | Kalmon | |
| Kumander Melody | 1983 | Melody | |
| Nardong Putik (Kilabot ng Cavite) Version II | 1984 | Nardong Putik | Imus Productions |
| Kapitan Inggo | 1984 | Inggo | Imus Productions |
| Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre | 1985 | Cameo role | Imus Productions |
| Victor Lopez, Jr. (Robinhood ng Tondo) | 1985 | Victor Lopez Jr. | Imus Productions |
| Rustico Acuzar: Waray | 1985 | Nardo | |
| Kumander Eber: Kilabot Ng Visayas | 1985 | Eber | Lea Productions |
| Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite | 1986 | Bador | FPJ Productions/Imus Productions |
| Kapitan Pablo: Cavite Killing Fields | 1986 | Pablo | Imus Productions |
| 100 Days in September (Bayang Magiting) | 1986 | Stellar Films International Inc | |
| Ultimatum: Ceasefire! | 1987 | Kumander Ibarra | Urban Films |
| Feliciano Luces: Alyas Kumander Toothpick, Mindanao | 1987 | Feliciano Luces | Vista Films |
| Oscar Ramos: Hitman | 1987 | Oscar Ramos | Viva Films |
| Anak ng Lupa | 1987 | Imus Productions | |
| Pepe Saclao: Public Enemy No. 1 | 1987 | Jose 'Pepe' Saclao | RNB Films Production |
| Cordillera | 1988 | Pv. Umpag Ka Miroy | Lea Productions |
| Alyas Pusa: Ang Taong May 13 Buhay | 1988 | Lt. Teofilo | Urban Films |
| Joaquin Burdado | 1988 | Joaquin Burdado | Golden Lion Films |
| Ang Supremo | 1988 | Luis Talusan | GP Films |
| Pepeng Kuryente: Man with a Thousand Volts | 1988 | Pepeng Kuryente | Imus Productions |
| Arrest: Pat. Rizal Alih – Zamboanga Massacre | 1989 | Rizal Alih | The Golden Lions Production |
| Bala... Dapat Kay Cris Cuenca! (Public Enemy No. 1 of Region 4) | 1989 | Crisostomo "Cris" Cuenca | Imus Productions |
| Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki | 1989 | Elias Paniki | The Golden Lions Production |
| Target... Police General (Maj. Gen. Alfredo S. Lim Story) | 1989 | Alfredo Lim | Solar Films Regal Films |
| David Balondo ng Tondo | 1990 | David Balondo | Four N Films |
| Apo: Kingpin ng Maynila | 1990 | Apo Magno | Lea Productions |
| Pepeng Agimat | 1999 | Apo Damon | Millenium Cinema/Imus Productions |
| Ang Agimat: Anting-Anting ni Lolo | 2002 | Matandang Ermitanyo | Imus Productions |
| Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom | 2005 | Haring Avalon | Imus Productions |
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