Every man’s goal of pursuing happiness in the fulfillment of life can only be achieved by attaining the most in his individual development, and by contributing the greatest to the cause of humanity.  The first is developing himself into a whole man, and the second is responding to his social responsibility to his fellow man.

Jose Marie Mortel Bautista, now Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., is one of the coveted few who has attained exemplary accomplishments in his own chosen endeavor and made outstanding contributions to the plight of the small man.  Born on September 25, 1966 in Manila to Jose Bautista Sr. and Azucena Mortel, he obtained his elementary education at the Jesus Good Shepherd School in Imus, Cavite in 1977.  He then went to High School at Fairfax High School n Los Angeles, California, United States.  His early engagement in a lucrative movie career, however, following the footsteps of his legendary film star father,”Nardong Putik’” restrained nominee’s pursuit of a college degree thus opting for self-education outside the classroom.  He married a fellow film star, Jesusa Victoria Hernandez popularly known as Lani Mercado, with whom he is blessed with six wonderful children.  The fully bloomed careers of father and son surged into immense popularity, widely idolized nationwide and their innate element of human attachment to common people propelled their successful entry to the political realm.  His father who has adopted the film name, “Ramon Revilla” was elected Member of the Philippine Senate for two consecutive terms, 1992-1998 and 1998-2004, and sits as the Chairman of the Philippine Reclamation Authority since 2004.   Nominee who has adopted the film name Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., followed suit.  He was elected in the Province of Cavite as the youngest Vice Governor in 1995 and the youngest Governor in 1998.  He served as Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board from 2001 to 2004.  Finally, he was elected the youngest Member of the Philippine Senate in 2004 for a six-year term until 2010, where he is the Chairman of three Committees, namely Public Works, Public Information and Mass Media and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Optical Media Board.

The handsome movie star was equally magnanimous and benevolent in his shining moments.  In the process, he looked at the welfare of fellow actors, stunt men, stage and props handlers, and other fellow workers in the industry.  He shared countless assistance to the less fortunate and the aging. His social recognition of the small man found wider application when he became public administrator in his own province of Cavite.  He reverted to the movie and film industry vis a vis public service when he served in another function as Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board protecting the intellectual rights of writers, singers, artists and producers.

In his sterling public administration and legislative career, Senator Revila was endowed with a diploma on Philippine Legislative Institutions and Processes from the Development Academy of the Philippines in November 2003.  National and International awards render evidence to his administrative prowess and service to the greatest number:  Most Outstanding Governor (Gawad Papuri Awards, Peryodiko ng Masa, 1998; Philippine National Police Region IV, 1999;  Department of Health, Philippines, 2000; and Huwarang Lingkod Bayan (Consumers League of Philippines, 2003.) Lifetime Achievement Awards (Excellence in the Field of Education, the Department of Education and Sports, 1996; Outstanding Anti-Drug Campaign, Philippine National Police, 1997;  Lifetime Achievement Award, National Press Club, 1998; Medal of Valor, and International Award of Honor, International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association, 1999; Exemplary Search and Rescue Operations, Department of Transportation and Communications, 1999;  Campaign Against Child Labor, NEDA, UNICEF, 1999;  He was conferred post baccalaureate, a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration (Honoris Causa) by the Cavite State University in 2005 and a Doctorate Degree in Humanities (Honoris Causa) by the Nueva Vizcaya State University in 2006.

“The true measure of a man is not found in what he can do, nor in what he intends to do, but in what he has done and in what he is doing.”   Never has one so young achieved so much so soon!

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