'Dean of Entertainment Writers' Ethel Ramos dies at 87, tributes pour in
Veteran talent manager and entertainment columnist Ethel Ramos has died. She was 87.
Ramos's niece Farah confirmed her passing in a Facebook post on Sept. 10. "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dearest Tita Ethel Ramos today, September 10, 5:38 p.m. She was 87," she wrote.
In another post, Farah said her aunt's remains will lie in state at Room 301 of the Nacional Chapels and Crematory (formerly Funeraria Nacional) on Araneta Avenue from Sept. 11 to 13, starting 2 p.m. Cremation is scheduled on Sept. 14, noontime. "Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng pagmamahal at pakikiramay," she said.
The entertainment industry took to social media to mourn Ramos' passing.
Her longtime talent Angel Locsin shared photos of them on her Facebook fan page. "Rest in peace, Manay Ethel," she wrote.
Sen. Bong Revilla, whom Ramos also managed, on Facebook said it's like he lost a mother.
"Tayo po ay nagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng isa sa ating pinakamamahal at pinagkakautangan ng napakalaking utang na loob," he said. "Maraming salamat sa iyong pagmamahal at paggabay mula sa aking pagkabata hanggang sa ngayong iyong pamamaalam."
His wife Lani Mercado (Jesusa Victoria Garcia Hernandez), meanwhile, noted that it was Ramos who gave her her screen name alongside late entertainment columnist Ricky Lo.
She said Ramos was "loved by producers and respected in the industry," and was the godmother of her son Jolo Revilla.
"She is one of the few people who has been with our family through our ups and downs. We will miss you, Manay Ethel," Mercado said.
Entertainment reporter Dominic Rea remembered how Ramos opened the doors for him as a budding writer in 1995.
"Bilang baguhang miyembro ng entertainment press noon, si Manay Ethel Ramos ang nagbigay ng oportunidad sa akin upang maging IN bilang manunulat," Rea said, adding that Ramos would allow him to "gatecrash" in events where he's not invited.
When Rea took a hiatus, he said it was Ramos who welcomed him back, even reprimanding him for his vices.
"Tuwing nakikita niya ako, hindi puwedeng hindi niya ako tawagin at nagtatanong ng kung anu-ano sabay iirap-irapan akong alam kong lambing niya yon sa akin!" he said.
"Isang kasamahan sa panulat na hindi naging madamot sa akin upang malasap ang buhay showbiz at oportunidad upang mabuhay at makisama sa industriyang ito," he added.
Ramos took up journalism at the University of Santo Tomas. She went on to become a talent manager of big names like Locsin as well as Aga Muhlach.
She earned the moniker "Dean of Entertainment Writers" for being so approachable during press conferences.