On September 13, actress-politician Lani Mercado recounted how seasoned entertainment reporter Ethel Ramos had been present for the Revilla family’s highest and lowest points.
At the wake of ‘Manay Ethel Ramos’ in the Nacional Chapels and Crematory (formerly Funeraria Nacional) on Araneta Avenue, which LionhearTV attended, Mercado noted how the Revilla family loves Ramos, especially with how she handled generations of artists from their clan.
“Kaya she is well loved, by the family and the whole family. And naalala ko pa, naikwento sa akin ni Bong, na si Tita Ethel and Tita Chit, handled also the PR of Imus Productions noong si Daddy pa ang nagpro-produce ng mga pelikula.
“At noong nanumbalik ‘yung Imus Productions sa pag pro-produce na sila Bong at mga kapatid niya ‘yung nagpro-produce nandiyan pa rin sila Manay Ethel. Kumbaga ilang generations ang hinandle niya sa pamilya Revilla pa lang.”
She then cited one example detailing how Ramos helped out with the career of Jolo Revilla.
“At sino bang mag-aakala na hanggang sa apo ni Ramon Revilla, si Jolo, nandiyan pa rin si Manay Ethel dahil ninang ni Jolo si Manay Ethel. Kaya kapag may problema din noon si Jolo nandiyan ang manay Ethel, nagbibigay ng advise. Hindi lang siya Godmother, Nanay na siya, Lola pa siya ng mga anak ko. So she holds a very big space in our family’s hearts.”
She also highlighted that Ramos was present through the lowest points in the Revilla family, especially when Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. got incarcerated.
“Lagi kong naalala si Tita Ethel na hindi siya bumitiw sa pinakamababang sandali ng buhay namin. She was there, dumadalaw kay Senator Bong when he was incarcerated for four and a half years. She was always there, never gave up. Dumadalaw kahit hirap pumasok sa Campo Crame.
“She would give advise to Senator Bong all the time and pinapapalakas niya ‘yung pamilya namin at buong pamilya namin. Pati sa mga kapatid ni Senator Bong.”
Looking back at her career, Mercado described Ramos as one of the early gatekeepers in the entertainment industry.
“Parang feeling ko parang first step siya bago ako dalhin sa Regal. Siya ‘yung unang kumikilatis kung papasa ba siya kay Mother Lily. Pakiramdam ko, parang gatekeeper siya, kung di ka pumasa sa kaniya, hindi lulusot, hindi uubra sa Regal.”
Ramos, a Journalism degree holder from the University of Santo Tomas, was known to many celebrities and other showbiz reporters for her kindness. The ‘dean of entertainment writers’ passed away at 87.
