The Agimat King at 90

Except for former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who couldn’t make it due to unavoidable circumstances, the celebrator’s loved ones led by daughter Andrea “Andeng” Bautista-Ynares (wife of Antipolo City Mayor Jun-Jun Ynares) were all accounted for when former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. celebrated his 90th birthday last March 8 with a dinner at the Revilla mansion in Imus, Cavite.  

From the wheelchair to which he has been confined by a stroke several years ago, alternately cared for by four nurses 24/7, the legendary amulet-gifted action superstar broke into a weak smile and teared up when his family (children, grandchildren and in-laws) sang songs to him, punctuating the end of each song with “We love you!”

Bong made his presence felt via a video greeting complete with a song.

Former Pres./Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, one of the honored guests who is marking his 80th birthday on April 19, praised Ramon for being the only survivor of the Sampaguita Generation.

Oops!!! There are also Sampaguita discoveries Rudy Francisco (into his early 90s) and Eddie Garcia who is believed to be three years older than Ramon but who loves to “confuse” people by joking that he’s much older than 93.

From a 2003 STAR story titled Ang Alamat ni Agimat: He’s a legend in his own right and it’s not only because of his agimat (amulet) to which his fans attribute his success as an actor and his successful conquest of the Senate. Why, many people believe that his agimat has been working wonders in the man’s love life which can only be described as “very fruitful, indeed,” blessed as he is with, according to unconfirmed reports, about 80 children. (And if I may add, with heaven knows how many women.)

“Actually,” clarified Andeng, “we are only 49 children, ‘yung duly accounted for and documented.”

All the children are supported by Ramon, according to Andeng  whose nickname must have been presumably inspired by that of Ramon’s mom whom he called Nanay Andeng who, after her husband’s death, singlehandedly raised her 10 children, with Ramon as the youngest, “Our dad’s constant reminder to all of us is to finish studies because, he said, education is the best gift that he could give us.”

In that old STAR interview, Ramon was asked if he really had an agimat. With an enigmatic smile, he confirmed, “Yes, I have. It was given to me by a relative of Nardong Putik.” (Also a Caviteño, Nardong Putik, whose real name was Leonardo Manecio, was played by Ramon in a movie that he himself produced in 1972 and it made so much money that sustained Ramon’s own Imus Productions which made mostly true stories that earned him the title Father of True-Life Movies.).    

To whom will Ramon bequeath his agimat?            

Had anybody asked Ramon during his birthday, I’m sure he would have readily told who. (Do we see Bong smiling?).

Bacoor Mayor Lani’s request: omit gifts, help fire victims

As she turns 49 tomorrow, April 13, Bacoor, Cavite Mayor Lani Mercado is requesting her well-wishers not to give her gifts and instead donate clothes, food, blankets, medicines and other goodies to the more than 2,500 victims of the fire that hit Barangay Maliksi last April 5. Rendered homeless, the victims are temporarily housed  at the Maliksi Elementary School. Donations may be delivered to the CSWD at the lobby of the Bacoor City Hall.

A few days ago when Lani was about to give her regular flag ceremony speech, she was interrupted by good friend Manilyn Reynes via Video Tape Recorder (VTR), and was asked to sit down and relax while the stage was transformed into a mini talk show set.

To Lani’s surprise, a special talk show-cum-reunion was being staged. Yayo Aguila, another good friend, emerged from the  back stage and sang a song that made Lani emotional. That kicked off the talk show-themed birthday aptly called her “Road to Gold.” 

During the Q&A, Lani was asked about her plans for Bacoor. But the question that really floored Lani was where she got the strength as she talked her multiple roles as mayor, mother, grandmother (Mamita), not to mention dealing with a husband (former Bong Revilla) who is in detention.

“I get my strength from my family, my children, my grandchildren and most specially from my husband who, despite the situation, continuously gives me strength and moral support,” Lani said, almost choking. “I also get strength from the people of the City of Bacoor, my constituents who continue to trust and support me.”

What about her love life? (He and Bong were given the hashtag LaBong.

“Napaka-init pa rin,” she gamely answered. “Pag magkasama kami walang pwedeng mang-istorbo.”

In AVP, Lani’s friends Lorna Tolentino, Tirso Cruz III and his wife Lyn Ynchausti, Princess Punzalan, Congressman Alfred Vargas and Gary Valenciano wished her good luck and good health.

The birthday surprise started a month-long celebrations marked by special activities including Alagang Ate Lani Feeding Programs and medical missions. This is in line with Lani’s battlecry: ONE TEAM, ONE LOVE, ONE BACOOR!

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)