Veteran entertainment journalist Ethel Ramos dies at 87

Ethel Ramos, regarded as the “dean of entertainment writers” in the Philippines, passed away on Sunday. She was 87.

Her niece Farah Ramos confirmed the news on Facebook.

“Our beloved Tita Ethel Ramos will lie in state at Room 301 of the Nacional Chapels and Crematory (formerly Funeraria Nacional) on Araneta Avenue starting today, Monday, Sept. 11, until Wednesday, Sept. 13,” Farah said on Monday.

She added that cremation has been scheduled at 12 noon on Thursday, Sept. 14.

Ramos, fondly called in the biz as “Manay Ethel,” obtained her Journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.

She became a force in local entertainment because of her gentle approach to celebrities and other showbiz reporters.

Ethel Ramos passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. FACEBOOK PHOTO/FARAH RAMOS

She was the talent manager for several actors and actresses, including Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin.

Among the first celebrities to pay her tribute were husband and wife Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado.

“Napakasakit Manay. Para akong nawalan ulit ng isang ina, dahil isa ka sa tumayong nanay ko sa aking pag-aartista. Maraming salamat sa iyong pagmamahal at paggabay mula sa aking pagkabata hanggang sa ngayong iyong pamamaalam (It's so painful, Manay. It feels like I've lost another mom because you were one of those who stood as my mother in my journey in showbiz. Thank you very much for your love and guidance from my childhood until your departure),” Revilla wrote on Facebook.

“Manay Ethel, as she is fondly called, was one of the persons who gave me my screen name, together with Ricky Lo. She would hold press conferences for Regal Films in the '80s when I started, together with the El Oro group of writers. Manay Ethel is also godmother to my son Jolo Revilla and helped my husband Bong Revilla in several of his movies and Imus Productions. 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 wrote.