Why Mother Lily made Sen. Bong cry

Curtain-raisers:

• After winning the Grand Jury Prize (inclusive of $25,000) at the recently-concluded Miami International Film Festival, Lola, directed by Brillante “Dante” Mendoza won three more awards at the 24th Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland held the other night: International Federadation of Film Society, the Ecumenical Jury Award and the Audience Award.

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Kris Aquino sheds copious tears on national television.

Ruffa Gutierrez does the same.

During a presscon hosted for him by Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde, reelectionist Sen. Bong Revilla cried over Mother Lily’s touching “tribute” in her welcome address, and so did his wife Lani Mercado who is running for congresswoman in Cavite.

Now, if all people in the industry could do the same, they could drench the country and help solve the El Nino problem.

Kidding aside, unlike Kris and Ruffa, Bong cried for a less sensational reason. During the presscon, a letter from his father, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., was read by Bong’s sister Rowena Bautista-Mendiola. Ramon Sr. related how generous Bong is and how he has remained level-headed up to now, and how he’s still using the car Bong gave him as gift years ago.

Mother Lily drew more tears from Bong with her “tribute” which I am printing in full:

Once there was this little boy who was so lovable and charming with his chinito features. He often visited the Regal studios in Valencia.

The first time I saw him, I thought he was a movie fan. I told him, “Ang gwapo mo. Gusto mo bang mag-artista?” He couldn’t answer. He simply smiled and said, “Anak po ako ni Ramon Revilla.” To my surprise, I said, “Ha, anak ka pala ni Ramon Revilla!”

I later learned why Bong was visiting Regal. He wanted to see Maricel Soriano who was his crush at that time. But destiny led him to another beautiful girl named “Candy.” To all of us, she is Lani Mercado, the woman whom Bong married three times — first in Glendale, California, then in civil rites in Manila and in a grand church wedding at the Imus Cathedral in Cavite. They now have a happy family with their six children and two apos.

Bong, as expected, invaded the movies and followed in the footsteps of his father, Ramon Revilla Sr. He did his first movie when he was only 18 in Dugong Buhay in which he starred with his dad.

Several other film projects followed which catapulted Bong to being an action superstar. For Regal, his first was Dugo ng Panday, directed by Peque Gallaga.

From the movies, Bong went on to join politics, following the same career path taken by his father, who became a senator. He did not want to go against the wishes of his father. Ever since he was a young boy, he was trained to obey his dad.

Yet, without his capability, intelligence and leadership, Bong wouldn’t have been a good public servant. In 1995, he became the youngest vice governor in Cavite and the youngest governor of the province three years later.

I always consider Bong as a self-made man leading in his career both in the movies and politics.

While preparing for his victory party as Cavite governor in 1998, Bong had to deal with the tragic loss of his mother, Azucena Mortel Bautista. He took after her generosity. She was the one who instilled in him the value of sharing, as she often told him, “The more you give, the more you receive.”

Napatunayan kong napakabait na anak ni Bong. From his earnings as an actor, he gifted his mother with a car. When he became a politician, he gave her half of his paycheck.

His mother was a great inspiration in Bong’s life. I saw with my own eyes how he really loved his mom. In her deathbed, Bong gathered enough courage to promise his mom he would do his best for his family and country. He vowed to take care of his father and his siblings –- Marlon, Strike, Rowena, Princess, Andeng and Diane.

Bong’s sisters confirm he is very generous, considerate, thoughtful, responsible, loving and funny. Without doubt, Bong owes his success to his family.

I admire the Revillas for being a very loving and solid clan. In Bong’s every undertaking, be it showbiz or politics, he has his family behind him.

The most memorable gift I got from Bong was a piano, which he gave me for my birthday because he knows that I love to play. Every day, when I wake up, I still play the piano and of course, I always remember Bong’s thoughtfulness. That is one of the many traits I love about him.

As a showbiz star, Bong devoted himself to the welfare of the local film industry. He looked after his fellow actors, the stuntmen and production people. When he became chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) in 2001, he launched a massive anti-piracy campaign to help artists, singers, film and record producers.

When he became a politician, Bong also committed himself to serving the country, putting his own interests behind that of the people whom he chose to prioritize. He must have set a really good example that he even inspired and encouraged his wife, Lani, to also join politics. She is running for congresswoman in Bacoor, the second district of Cavite.

I am like a second mother to Bong that’s why I followed his career moves. For someone so young, he has accomplished a lot. I am proud of what he has become and what he has achieved as a family man, actor and politician.

The journey of my “showbiz son” continues and I promise to support him every step of the way.

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