Tragedy befalls ‘Nardong Putik’
MANILA, Philippines—It’s a family drama that rivals a Shakespearean tragedy crossed with Ramon Revilla Sr.’s action movie character “Nardong Putik.”
But for the Revillas, a clan that straddles the worlds of showbiz and politics, this latest series of unfortunate events is all too real.
Lolit Solis, manager of actor-turned-senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Sr., likened the ongoing family drama to “a teleserye… a triple tragedy”: Half-brother Ramgen was murdered; while another half-brother Ramon Joseph (or RJ) landed in jail and half-sister Ramona fled to Hong Kong. (RJ and Ramona have been tagged as suspects in the slaying of their brother Ramgen.)
Revilla called the family crisis a “nightmare.”
It was not the first time for Ramona to break her father’s heart, according to Revilla Jr.
At the time of Revilla Sr.’s first heart attack in 2008, Ramona married a Turkish national without the old man’s permission.
“My father took it badly,” Revilla Jr. said. “She ran away with a foreigner and had been based in Turkey.”
Revilla Jr. believed Ramona might be en route to Turkey as she had planned even before the tragedy.
“I am consulting our lawyers. I will ask the immigration to cancel her Philippine passport,” Revilla Jr. said.
He is not discounting the possibility that Ramona might have a Turkish passport, though.
Three years after her elopement, Ramona once again caused her father’s distress.
Revilla Jr. told the Inquirer that his father, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., was inconsolable.
“Umiiyak ang puso ni Daddy (Daddy’s heart is crying),” Revilla Jr. said. “Tulala siya. (He’s dazed) He’s trying to be strong, but he’s hurting. One child is dead; while two are accused.”
Revilla Sr. was unable to attend Ramgen’s funeral on Wednesday because he was hospitalized at the time.
“He had a checkup, a 2D echocardiography. He’s okay naman,” Revilla Jr. said.
His other brothers and sisters are trying to cope, too, he said. “The entire clan was hit hard. Mabigat ito. (This is a heavy burden.) But we’re solid. I love all of my brothers and sisters. Among Revillas, there’s no such thing as half-brother or half-sister.”
Revilla Jr., however, distanced himself from his half-siblings after news broke out that Ramona had left for Hong Kong, even going as far as saying that he was “disappointed,” that her act could be perceived as “a sign of guilt.”
He expects that Genelyn Magsaysay, the mother of Ramgen, RJ and Ramona, would get upset with him again
“I have no choice. I’m caught in the middle. I have to balance my role as a son, brother and as a legislator of the country. I feel for Genelyn and her children, but I cannot interfere or initiate a whitewash.”
Among Genelyn’s children, Revilla Jr. admitted that he was closest to the late Ramgen.
“My mom Azucena took care of Ramgen for a time,” he said.
Revilla Jr. recalled that Ramgen wanted to run for councilor last year.
Ramgen sought Revilla Jr.’s counsel. “I told him that he was too young. (He was only 22 then.) I asked him to wait for the 2013 elections. I was impressed because he listened. He was an obedient kid.”
Solis said that “Genelyn used to get jealous because Ramgen would often hang out at the Imus compound with Bong’s sons Jolo and Brian. They grew up together. They were like a barkada (gang). He looked up to Bong.”
A source said that Genelyn also got dismayed with Revilla Jr. because he was unable to make her son famous. “But Bong helped Ram get signed up with GMA 7.”
Revilla Jr. said that he didn’t get to know Ramgen’s younger siblings as much as the deceased. “I only saw RJ and Ramona occasionally, during family gatherings and at Christmastime.”
From their limited time together, Revilla Jr. said that “RJ was always quiet and seemed well-behaved.”
Solis said that Genelyn was not too happy with Revilla’s handling of the family problem. “Genelyn got mad at Bong for allowing the police to arrest RJ.”
Revilla Jr. admitted that this crisis has strained his relationship with Genelyn.
“It’s sad, but rule of law should prevail,” he said.
In her Facebook account two years ago, Genelyn wrote about her family: “To have nine children is not simple. I just get my strength from our God almighty.”
She said of her children: “They have different attitudes. Different likes and dislikes and you need to adjust. Especially [since] I’m the only one who’s facing the little troubles given us by the Lord.”
At the time of her Facebook musings, Revilla Sr. had just suffered a stroke. “I am acting not only as mother, but as a father as well. Because of the stroke, he has to rest from real troubles and concentrate on having an intimate fellowship with the Lord.”
She remained optimistic at that time. “This is the best time after so many years of searching. Finally, he found Him, his Savior and redeemer.”
In another Facebook account, she described herself as “a God-fearing Christian, simply loving the Lord. Committed to the Lord in every given situation. Surrounded by the angels of Christ as my protector.”
Their last big family gathering was during daughter Ramlyn’s graduation party last April at the Manila Hotel.
At the get-together, Revilla Sr. and Genelyn, along with RJ, were present.
Ramona was not present in most of the pictures in the Facebook accounts because she was already based in Turkey, according to Revilla Jr.
Apart from photos of the young Genelyn with the much older Revilla Sr. (he is twice her age), there are also pictures of the young Genelyn with then-teen stars Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion on the set of a TV show.
Genelyn, who belongs to the Magsaysay clan (of former President Ramon Magsaysay), was never an actress and was confused with teen star Jenny Lynn in earlier reports.
Solis said: “It was Genelyn’s mom, Linda Madrigal, who was in show biz. She was a sexy star in the 1970s. But I think Genelyn also wanted to join the movies.”
“She’s not the Genelyn of ‘That’s Entertainment. Our Jenny Lynn is already based in the United States,” said host German Moreno. “I got confused. But Genelyn used to visit the set of my old TV shows ‘Germspesyal” and GMA Supershow.’ I also guested Ram and RJ on my current show ‘Master Showman.’”
Solis recalled: “I think Genelyn and Ramon Sr. met when she was in her teens. She became a mother at a very young age.”
A source who declined to be identified said that “at family gatherings, Genelyn kept a low-profile. She didn’t call attention to herself. I appreciated that she knew her place as second wife.”
