Ramon Revilla Sr.

José Acuña Bautista Sr., professionally known as Ramon Revilla Sr. or simply Ramon Revilla (March 8, 1927 – June 26, 2020),[1] was a Filipino actor who served as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Honourable Ramon Revilla Sr.
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2004
Personal details
Born	José Acuña Bautista March 8, 1927 Imus, Philippine Islands
Died	June 26, 2020 (aged 93) Taguig, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Lakas
Spouse(s)	Azucena Mortel ​ ​ (m. 1942; died 1998)​
Children	At least 80, including Bong, Ram and Strike
Residence	Bacoor, Cavite
Alma mater	Far Eastern University
Profession	Actor; Politician

He is known as the "Hari ng Agimat" (literally "King of Amulets") in Philippine films.

Education

Revilla graduated in Far Eastern University wherein he finished his bachelor's degree in commerce.

Film career

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.

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.

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.

In 1979, he was Most Outstanding Actor and Box Office King.

In 2011, in the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards Night (CMMA), Ramon Revilla Sr. was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.[2]

Politics

In 1992, Revilla became a senator, holding office until the end of his two terms in 2004.

Despite having a number of detractors, Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. was able to mark his tenure in the senate as the author of some important bills. But the one he spearheaded that raised his popularity was the bill casually called the "Revilla Bill".

An amendment to the Family Code Law 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," the Revilla Sr. was once quoted as saying.

Ram Revilla murder

On Oct. 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., [3]

Personal life and death

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.

His wife is Azucena Mortel. They were married on February 16, 1942. Mortel died on May 31, 1998. They produced seven children; namely, Marlon, Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, Jose Maria (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.[4][5] In a 2004 interview with journalist Jessica Soho, Revilla admitted that he probably has more than 80 children.[6] Ram Revilla was one of his children from his extra-marital affairs.

On May 31, 2020, Revilla was rushed to the St. Dominic Medical Center in Bacoor, Cavite. The next day, he transferred hospital at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.[7] Revilla Sr. died of heart failure at 5:20pm on June 26, 2020, aged 93.[8][9]

Legacy

Revilla statue

On his 90th birthday, a statue was unveiled to the public.[10] The 10-meter bronze statue was made by Filipino sculptor and national artist Eduardo Castrillo. It was unveiled at Revilla's residence in Bacoor, Cavite.[10] 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).[10] 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.[10]

Filmography

Title	Year	Role	Film
Ulila ng Bataan	1952		Imus Productions
Recuerdo	1953		Imus Productions
Mister Kasintahan	1953
Mga Umaga Pang Darating	1953		Imus Productions
Gorio at Tekla	1953
Matandang Dalaga	1954
Anak sa Panalangin	1954		Imus Productions
Sa Dulo ng Landas	1955		Imus Productions
Kurdapya	1955		Imus Productions
Bim, Bam, Bum	1955		Imus Productions
Balisong	1955		Imus Productions
Binibining Kalog	1955		Imus Productions
Tarhata	1957		Imus Productions
Gabi ng Lagim (segment 1)	1960		Imus Productions
Walang Daigdig	1960		Imus Productions
Walang Himala by Lizbeth Ayala "aka" Alpha Navarrete Alfonso	1963		Imus Productions
Scout Rangers	1964		Imus Productions
Naghimala by Elizabeth Calamba Navarrete "aka" Alpha Navarrete Alfonso	1969		Imus Productions
Nardong Putik: Kilabot ng Cavite	1972		Imus Productions
Pepeng Agimat: Sa Daigdig ng Kababalaghan	1973		Imus Productions
Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat	1973	Santiago Ronquillo	Imus Productions
Anting-Anting	1973		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		Imus Productions
Kapitan Kulas	1975		Lea Productions
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		Imus Productions
People of the Philippine Versus Mario Alarcon	1976		Imus Productions
Gulapa (Ang Barakong Mayor ng Maragondon)	1977	Gulapa	Imus Productions
Bianong Bulag	1977	Bianong Bulag	Imus Productions
Task Force Kingfisher	1977		Imus Productions
Malabanan	1978		Imus Productions
Last Target	1978		Imus Productions
Camerino	1978		Imus Productions
Mga Mata ni Angelita	1978		Imus Productions
Feliciano	1978		Imus Productions
Boy Putik	1979		Imus Productions
Tonyong Bayawak	1979	Tonyong Bayawak	Imus Productions
Dang-Dong	1980	Barrio Captain	Imus Productions
Sierra Madre	1981		Imus Productions
Alfredo Sebastian	1981		Imus Productions
Kamlon	1981		Imus Productions
Labag sa Batas	1982		Imus Productions
Pedring Taruc	1982		Imus Productions
Tulisan ng Pasong Musang	1982		Imus Productions
The Killing of Satan (known as Lumaban ka Satanas)	1983	Lando San Miguel	Imus Productions
Dugong Buhay	1983		Viva FIlms/Imus Productions
Nardong Putik (Kilabot ng Cavite) Version II	1984	Nardong Putik	Imus Productions
Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre	1985	Cameo role	Imus Productions
Victor Lopez, Jr. (Robinhood ng Tondo)	1985	Victor Lopez Jr.	Imus Productions
Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite	1986		FPJ Productions/Imus Productions
Kapitan Pablo: Cavite Killing Fields	1986		Imus Productions
Ultimatum: Ceasefire!	1987		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		Lea Productions
Alyas Pusa: Ang Taong May 13 Buhay	1988	Lt. Teofilo	Urban Films
Joaquin Burdado	1988		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	Cris Cuenca	Imus Productions
Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki	1989	Elias Paniki	The Golden Lions Production
Target Police General: Major General Alfredo Lim Story	1990	Alfredo Lim	Imus Productions
David Balondo ng Tondo	1990	David Balondo	Imus Productions
Apo: Kingpin ng Maynila	1990		Lea Productions
Pepeng Agimat	1999		Millenium Cinema/Imus Productions
Ang Agimat: Anting-Anting ni Lolo	2002		Imus Productions
Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom	2005		Imus Productions

References

1. Maragay, Feliciano V. More Caloocan Poll Fraud Bared. Manila Standard, April 23, 1987, p. 6. Google News Archive accessed April 4, 2011
2. "Liezl Martinez is happy to be acting in front of the cameras again". PEP.ph.
3. "Revilla, Sr.'s official statement". A RAM REVILLA tribute website. October 2013. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2020. Para akong nabagsakan ng mundo ng malaman ko na ang aking anak na si Ramon Joseph ay hindi nabigyan ng piyansa ng hukuman. Ako po ay naniniwalang hindi magagawa ng anak ko ang ganiyang bagay na karumaldumal. Ang mga anak ko ay lumaki sa salita ng Panginoon. Isa siyang mabait na anak. HINULI SIYA NG WALANG WARRANT OF ARREST AT HALOS DALAWANG TAON NA SIYANG NAGDURUSA SA KULUNGAN. INOSENTE PO ANG AKING ANAK.
4. Go, Miriam Grace (November 5, 2013). "he wealth of the old man Revilla". Rappler. Rappler Inc. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
5. ABS-CBN News (November 2, 2011). "Ramon Revilla Sr. has 72 kids, says spokesperson". ABS-CBN News. Manila, Philippines: ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
6. Tuazon, Nikko (June 27, 2020). "Ramon Revilla Sr. on having 72 children: "I should not be admired for this."". PEP.ph. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
7. Magno, Alexander (June 1, 2020). "Former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. hooked to ventilator in St. Luke's BGC". Inquirer News.
8. "Former senator Ramon Revilla Sr dies at 93". Rappler. June 26, 2020.
9. "Ex-Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. dies at 93". GMA News Online. June 26, 2020.
10. News, ABS-CBN. "Ramon Revilla Sr.'s statue unveiled". ABS-CBN News.