Bong Revilla Biography: Wife, Age, Movies, Height, Net Worth, Politics, Ethnicity, Parents, Awards, Siblings

Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is a Filipino actor-politician whose popularity first surged through action films in the late 1980s and 1990s, especially as the lead in the Alyas Pogi movie series, where he played police officer Henry Cruz.

After building a long run as a bankable screen star, he expanded into television and production work, then became a prominent figure in Cavite politics before serving multiple terms in the Philippine Senate.

His decades-long visibility across entertainment and government has kept him in spotlight through election cycles, high-profile legislative roles, and widely covered court battles tied to the pork barrel scandal.

Profile

• Full name: Ramon Bautista Bong Revilla Jr.
• Nickname: Bong
• Date of birth: September 25, 1966
• Age: 59 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Manila, Philippines
• State of origin: Cavite, Philippines
• Nationality: Filipino
• Profession: Actor, director, producer, television presenter, politician
• Height: 5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
• Parents: Jose Acuña Bautista Sr. (Ramon Revilla Sr.); Azucena Mortel Bautista
• Siblings: Marlon Bautista,Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, Rebecca Bautista-Ocampo,Edwin Bautista (Strike Revilla),Andrea Bautista-Ynares; Diana Bautista
• Spouse: Jesusa Victoria Hernandez-Bautista (Lani Mercado)
• Children: Leonard Bryan Bautista,Jose Lorenzo Bautista III, Inah Felicia Bautista-Del Rosario,Maria Alexandra Bautista,Ma. Viktoria Gianna Bautista,Ma. Franzel Loudette Bautista, Ramon Vicente Bautista,Francis Luigi G. Santos
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Filipino
• Net worth: ₱190 million

Early Life and education

Ramon Bautista Bong Revilla Jr. is now, at the age of 59, was born on September 25, 1966 in Manila. He is the son of actor and former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. (born Jose Acuña Bautista Sr.) and Azucena Mortel Bautista. Within his parents’ marriage, he is part of a set of seven children: Marlon, Rowena, Jose Mari (Bong), Rebecca (also known publicly as “Princess”), Edwin (known as Strike), Andrea, and Diana. His father also acknowledged having many children outside that marriage.

For schooling, he completed elementary education at Jesus Good Shepherd School in Palico II, Imus, Cavite in 1977, and finished secondary education at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California in 1982.

He later took executive and governance-focused training through the Development Academy of the Philippines in Pasig, including a program for local chief executives that is frequently cited in profiles tied to his Cavite career in government.

Personal Life

Bong Revilla married actress Lani Mercado (Jesusa Victoria Hernandez-Bautista) in a civil wedding in 1986. They have seven children: Leonard Bryan Bautista, Jose Lorenzo Bautista III, Inah Felicia Bautista-Del Rosario, Maria Alexandra Bautista, Ma. Viktoria Gianna Bautista, Ma. Franzel Loudette Bautista, and Ramon Vicente Bautista. Their family has remained in the spotlight partly because several of their children entered politics or entertainment, continuing the Revilla surname’s presence in public life.

Revilla’s personal life has also been shaped by reports and court records tied to paternity and names. One widely reported case involved his acknowledged biological son Francis Luigi Guzman, who later carried the name Francis Luigi G. Santos after being legally adopted by his mother’s husband; the Supreme Court decision and related reporting kept the matter in the news years after the relationship became public.

In late 2024, Revilla publicly confirmed that he has more children outside his marriage to Mercado, without naming them or providing details about their mothers. That admission added a new layer to earlier discussion about his private life, while still leaving key specifics undisclosed.

Career

Bong Revilla entered Philippine entertainment as a child actor and remained active through different eras of local cinema and television. His screen identity hardened in the action-film lane during the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in long-running association with roles that framed him as a tough, streetwise lawman—most notably in the Alyas Pogi film series as Henry Cruz.

Over time, he broadened into romantic comedy and fantasy/action projects, and later took on television roles that extended his mainstream visibility beyond movies.

A major later-career entertainment milestone was Ang Panday, which positioned him as a headline lead for a new generation of viewers and earned him a top acting prize at the Metro Manila Film Festival.

His television work has included long runs such as Idol Ko si Kap, the hosting stint Kap’s Amazing Stories, and more recent drama and action titles like Agimat ng Agila and the TV remake of Walang Matigas Na Pulis sa Matinik Na Misis.

In politics, Revilla’s trajectory moved from Cavite provincial leadership to national office. He served as vice governor of Cavite, then became governor, later chaired the Videogram Regulatory Board (now Optical Media Board), and won election to the Philippine Senate in 2004.

After returning to the Senate in 2019, he held committee leadership roles during the 19th Congress period, including chairmanships linked to public works and civil service matters, before his term ended in 2025.

Awards

• PMPC Star Awards for Television – Best Comedy Actor, Idol Ko si Kap (2001)
• PMPC Star Awards for Television – Best Educational Program Host, Kap’s Amazing Stories (2009)
• Metro Manila Film Festival – Best Actor, Ang Panday (2009)
• GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards – Box-Office Kings (with Vic Sotto), Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote (2011)
• Cavite State University – Doctor of Public Administration (Honorary) (2005)
• Nueva Vizcaya State University – Doctor of Humanities (Honorary) (2006)
• Adopted Son of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (2024)

Net worth

Bong Revilla’s net worth is estimated to be over ₱190 million. This estimate reflects a modest increase from the most widely reported SALN-based figure rather than assuming a dramatic jump.

Controversy

Bong Revilla’s most consequential controversy came from allegations tied to the Priority Development Assistance Fund scandal, which triggered an arrest warrant in 2014 and led to years of detention and court proceedings.

In December 2018, he was acquitted of plunder, a ruling that allowed his release; however, the decision included a contested question of civil liability involving ₱124.5 million, which continued to be debated in subsequent legal and public discussions.

He also faced 16 counts of graft connected to the same PDAF issue. Those graft cases were dismissed/acquitted for insufficiency of evidence in 2021, and the Office of the Ombudsman publicly stated it would no longer appeal that outcome.

Outside the courtroom, Revilla’s campaign style has repeatedly been criticized as “gimmick politics,” especially the viral budots dance campaign material associated with his 2019 run and its later echoes in public commentary.

Social Media

• Instagram: @bongrevillajrph
• TikTok: @bongrevillajr
• YouTube: @BongRevillajrph
• Facebook: bongrevillajrph

Filmography

• Tiagong Akyat (1973)
• Dugong Buhay (1983)
• Pieta, Ang Ikalawang Aklat (Pieta, the Second Book) (1984)
• Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre (1985)
• Celeste Gang (1985)
• Beloy Montemayor (1986)
• Isa Lang ang Dapat Mabuhay (1986)
• Anak ng Supremo (1986)
• Masyong Bagwisa Jr.: Bodyguard (1986)
• Agaw-Armas (1986)
• Cordillera (1986)
• Sgt. Villapando: A.W.O.L. (1986)
• Boboy Tibayan: Tigre ng Cavite (1986)
• Payaso (1986)
• Anak ng Lupa (1987)
• Target: Sparrow Unit (1987)
• Boy Tornado (1987)
• Dongalo Massacre (1988)
• Lost Command (1988)
• Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu (1988)
• Iyo ang Batas, Akin ang Katarungan (1988)
• Jockey T’yan (1988)
• Chinatown: Sa Kuko ng Dragon (1988)
• Florencio Diño: Public Enemy No. 1 of Caloocan (1989)
• Moises Platon (1989)
• Isang Bala, Isang Buhay (1989)
• Urbanito Dizon: The Most Notorious Gangster in Luzon (1990)
• Bala at Rosario (1990)
• Apo: Kingpin ng Maynila (1990)
• Alyas Pogi: Birador ng Nueva Ecija (1990)
• Onyong Majikero (1991)
• Manong Gang (1991)
• Captain Jaylo: Batas sa Batas (1991)
• Leon ng Maynila (1991)
• Alyas Pogi 2 (1992)
• Hanggang May Buhay (1992)
• Pangako Sa’yo (1992)
• Dugo ng Panday (1993)
• Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo (1993)
• Sala sa Init, Sala sa Lamig (1993)
• Ako ang Katarungan: Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra (1993)
• Relax Ka Lang, Sagot Kita (1994)
• Iukit Mo sa Bala (1994)