Who is Julian Ongpin?

PHOTO/Police Regional Office 1-PIO

MANILA, Philippines — Julian Ongpin was in the news this weekend after being charged with possession of illegal drugs and is now under investigation for his alleged involvement in the death of renowned painter Bree Jonson.

Julian is the 29-year-old son of a business magnate Roberto Ongpin. The elder Ongpin, a former trade minister, now chairs Alphaland,  a high-end property developer.

Roberto has a current net worth of $1.1 billion, according to Forbes. He is also among the 17 Filipino tycoons on Forbes’ billionaire list.

READ:17 PH tycoons on Forbes’ global billionaire list

Art Patron

Unlike his father, Julian was drawn to the arts.

According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, he and his late mother, Della Stone, both shared a passion for the arts, and the latter was an avid collector.

The younger Ongpin, who is also a direct descendant of Filipino painter Damian Domingo, described himself as a “fanatical graffiti artist,” the Inquirer quoted him as saying.

READ: Biz Buzz: Watchdogs

In 2015, he opened Julian Ongpin Young Artists (Joya), a contemporary art gallery that features emerging international and local artists.

Meanwhile, Julian and his father also set up a P1 billion fund to help kick off Filipino start-ups through Ongpin Angel Investors Corp, according to a BizNews Asia magazine report in January.

Bree Jonson

The younger Ongpin was involved with up-and-coming visual artist Bree Jonson, who was his reported girlfriend.

According to police, Ongpin was Bree’s last companion when she was found unconscious in a room at the Flotsam & Jetsam Resort in San Juan, La Union on Saturday. She was later declared dead in the hospital.

Police said they found 12.6 grams of cocaine in their room, where Jonson was found unconscious. Ongpin also tested positive for the drug, according to police.

This led to a drug complaint being filed against Ongpin. He is also being investigated for his possible involvement in the death of the 30-year old artist.

It was earlier reported that Jonson died of suicide, which her mother, Salome Jonson, contested, noting red marks on her neck.

READ: Bree Jonson’s mom hints foul play in death of young artist

The younger Ongpin was released from custody while the case is being investigated, police confirmed on Tuesday.

READ: Tycoon’s son Julian Ongpin released, PNP chief Eleazar confirms

On the same day, Bree’s mother Salome, appealed to the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Ongpin, fearing that he might be out of the country already.

READ: Mom of late artist Bree Jonson wants Julian Ongpin on hold departure order

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday that an ILBO would be issued against Ongpin.

READ: DOJ to issue lookout order vs magnate’s son upon request of Jonson’s mom

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