Revilla Sr., senator, film’s Agimat, 93

MANILA, Philippines  — Former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. died of heart failure yesterday. He was 93.

The passing of the former lawmaker was announced by his son, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who said his father died at 5:20 p.m.

“He is now free from physical pain and is in the loving arms of our Creator,” Revilla said. “Thank you very much for the love and prayers, as we ask for continuous prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.”

The senator also posted a video on Facebook with him in tears saying, “Wala na po tatay ko (my father is gone). Please pray for him.” The video panned to family members sobbing.

On Thursday, the senator said his father was going through a “rough time” after being hospitalized as he was having difficulty breathing.

Born on March 8, 1927 in Imus, Cavite as Jose Bautista, he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce at the Far Eastern University. He adopted the screen name Ramon Revilla when he played roles in action movies in the 1950s.

He left show business to work as an intelligence officer in the Bureau of Customs from 1965 to 1972, but soon returned to acting, where he popularized the use of the Filipino “agimat” or amulet in movies like Nardong Putik (1972) and Pepeng Agimat (1973).

He first became senator in 1992 and ended his term in 2004, spanning the terms of three presidents.