Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. lived a full, colorful life. Take a look at some of his career highlights here.
Ramon Revilla was born as José Acuña on March 8, 1927. He was the youngest child in the brood of 10 by businessman Ildefonso Bautista and Andrea Acuña. He graduated with a degree in Commerce from the Far Eastern University.
His initial attempt at showbiz didn't fly off so he left the industry and became head of the Secret Service Unit of the Bureau of Customs in 1965.
Eventually, Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. returned to showbiz in 1972 and starred in the film 'Nardong Putik' where he rose to fame. He was awarded Famas
Best Actor in 1973 for 'Hulihin si Tiyagong Akyat.' He became Box-Office King in 1979. He was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2011 Catholic Mass Media Awards Night (CMMA).
He also later on created his own film production company, Imus Productions.
He played roles in the films 'Pepeng Agimat' and 'Nardong Putik' where his characters had a special amulet of superhuman powers which earned him the
nickname, "Hari ng Agimat."
Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr.'s personal life is just as interesting as his roles in film and TV. He reportedly fathered over 70 children. However, only about 38 of his children are officially acknowledged and carry his last name. His youngest, Abigail, was born in 1996. During his political career, he authored the Republic Act 9255 otherwise konwn as he Revilla Law which allowed illegitimate children to use the surname of their father upon acknowledgement.
Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. served as senator from 1992 to 2004 after the end of his two terms. He also made long-lasting friendships such as that of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Despite his age and health declining, Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. survived and spent the remainder of his later years with his family.
In 2017, he survived a successful heart surgery and underwent a procedure known as the Percutaneous Mitral Clip which helped his heart condition.
In May 2020, he was rushed to the hospital for difficulty in breathing. He eventually got better and was in stable condition before passing away on June 26, 2020 due to heart failure. His son, former Senator Bong Revilla made the announcement of his death on social media.
He is honored as a legendary action star, politician, and the patriarch of the Revilla clan. His 10-meter bronze statue made by national artist Eduardo Castrillo lies in the Revilla residence in Bacoor, Cavite.