FDCP Statement on the Demise of Former Senator and Film Icon Ramon Revilla, Sr.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) mourns the demise of actor, film producer, and former Sen. Ramon Revilla, Sr. He passed away on June 26, 2020 at the age of 93.
Revilla, heralded as “Hari ng Agimat,” is an icon of Filipino action films. He starred in more than 100 films and produced some of them under his company, Imus Productions, Inc.
His iconic movies include “Nardong Putik” (1972), “Pepeng Agimat” (1973), “Gulapa” (1977), “Boy Putik” (1979), “Tonyong Bayawak” (1979), “Sierra Madre” (1981), “Dugong Buhay” (1983), “Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite” (1986), “Joaquin Bordado” (1988), and “Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki” (1989).
For his work in “Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat” (1973), Revilla was hailed as the Best Actor in the FAMAS Awards. He was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).
Revilla, whose real name is Jose Acuña Bautista, was born on March 8, 1927. He was the patriarch of the Revilla showbiz clan.
He made his big screen debut in 1952 as part of "Siklab sa Batangas" and "Ulila ng Bataan." Apart from being an actor, Revilla was a Senior Intelligence Officer with the rank of Major in the Secret Service Unit of the Bureau of Customs from 1965 to 1972.
He became a full-time actor in 1972 when "Nardong Putik" launched him to superstardom. He established Imus Productions shortly after. In 1992, he was elected to the Senate of the Philippines. He served his two terms as senator until 2004.
From being the "Hari ng Agimat," Revilla as a lawmaker became known as the Father of the Public Works Act. He authored the Public Works and Highways Infrastructure Program Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8150).
"Today, we lost a film industry pillar whose numerous works onscreen and behind the camera are testaments to his passion for Philippine Cinema," said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra. "We are grateful for the significant contributions that Ramon Revilla, Sr. has given to our country as an actor, filmmaker, and public servant."
