Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maria del Pilar “Pita” Revilla |
| Also known as | Pita Revilla-Palanca, Pita Revilla-Hocson |
| Birth | c. 1957 or 1958 |
| Death | March 19, 2020 |
| Age at death | 62 |
| Place of death | San Francisco, California |
| Parents | Jose Revilla, known as Armando Goyena, and Francisca “Paquita” Roces |
| Siblings | Maritess, Tina, Johnny Jose III, Cecilia “Cita,” Rossi, Malu, others in the Revilla family |
| First husband | Bernard Palanca Sr., race car driver |
| Second husband | Dr. Lorenzo Hocson |
| Children | Bernard “BJ” Palanca Jr. 1976, Miko Palanca 1978 to 2019, Lisa, Erika, Martin, Santi |
| Grandchildren | Elijah Pineda Palanca 2008, Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca 2014 |
| Known for | Member of the Revilla showbiz clan, mother of actors Bernard and Miko Palanca |
Early Life and Roots
Maria del Pilar “Pita” Revilla grew up in the spotlight of one of the Philippines’ most illustrious entertainment dynasties. Her father, Jose Revilla, better known to audiences as Armando Goyena, and her mother, Paquita Roces, a famed beauty and model, established a cultural nexus that influenced midcentury entertainment. Pita acquired the rhythm of public attention and private resilience in this home, both of which she would use throughout her life. Her birth year is assumed to be 1957 or 1958 based on contemporaneous age reporting, placing her upbringing as the golden era of her father’s renown faded into the modern era.
The Revilla Siblings
Pita’s world was crowded with siblings who would each leave a distinct mark in society and culture. The family has long been recognized as a constellation, with each star shining in adjacent fields.
| Sibling | Noted for | Short note |
|---|---|---|
| Maritess Revilla de Araneta | Modeling, entertainment | Camay model and actress, mother of model Bianca Araneta |
| Tina Revilla de Valencia | Film and television | Actress and television host with a recognizable on screen presence |
| Johnny Jose Revilla III | Acting and public life | Active in media and public affairs |
| Cecilia “Cita” Revilla de Yabut | Modeling and society circles | Known figure in family and society coverage |
| Rossi Revilla de Reyes | Family and society life | Recognized in family lists and public mentions |
| Malu Revilla de Soriano | Family and society life | Identified among the Revilla sisters in public records |
| Others | Extended sibling group | The Revilla family is often referenced as a large and close knit clan |
The family names carry through media accounts, wedding announcements, and interviews with the next generations. In Pita’s story this network is less backdrop and more scaffolding, a structure of support and identity.
Marriage and Children
Pita’s first husband was Bernard Palanca Sr., a race car driver known for his daredevilism. Their two sons, Bernard “BJ” Palanca Jr., born December 3, 1976, and Miko Palanca, born 1978, would become famous. Early tragedy struck when Bernard Sr. died during the boys’ childhood, transforming Pita into a stronger, more public mother navigating grief and growth.
She later married Dr. Lorenzo Hocson, a physician, and built a blended household often cited in family notes as including Lisa, Erika, Martin, and Santi. Their lives remain more private, appearing in family mentions without extensive public profiles.
| Child | Birth year | Parentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard “BJ” Revilla Palanca Jr. | 1976 | With Bernard Palanca Sr. | Actor and host with a long television and film career |
| Miko Palanca | 1978 | With Bernard Palanca Sr. | Actor known for television dramas; died in 2019 |
| Lisa | Not publicly stated | With Dr. Lorenzo Hocson | Mentioned in entertainment reporting as Pita’s child |
| Erika | Not publicly stated | With Dr. Lorenzo Hocson | Mentioned in entertainment reporting as Pita’s child |
| Martin | Not publicly stated | With Dr. Lorenzo Hocson | Mentioned in entertainment reporting as Pita’s child |
| Santi | Not publicly stated | With Dr. Lorenzo Hocson | Mentioned in entertainment reporting as Pita’s child |
The Palanca line extended to a new generation with two grandsons who occasionally appear in public life. Bernard Jr. and Meryll Soriano welcomed Elijah Pineda Palanca in 2008. Bernard Jr. and Jerika Ejercito welcomed Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca in 2014.
Grandchildren and Kinship Ties
Pita was pushed across branches and surnames by family gravity. Pita was aunt to model and philanthropist Bianca Araneta de Elizalde through her sister Maritess. Bernard Jr. made her a double grandma. Elijah and Isaiah Joseph are the latest additions to the Revilla, Palanca, Araneta, and Ejercito family tree.
Later Years and Passing
Philippine showbiz was shaken by 2019’s end. Miko, Pita’s youngest son, died at 41 on December 8, 2019. He received several public tributes, demonstrating his talent and colleagues’ love. After being diagnosed with cancer, Pita died in San Francisco on March 19, 2020. She was 62. Son then mother’s deaths marked a sad chapter in the family’s history. Her family and friends remembered her as courteous, warm, and quietly strong, a steadfast presence in a huge household.
Timeline Highlights
| Year or date | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 1957 to 1958 | Birth of Maria del Pilar “Pita” Revilla to Armando Goyena and Paquita Roces |
| 1976 | Birth of Bernard “BJ” Palanca Jr. |
| 1978 | Birth of Miko Palanca |
| Childhood years of sons | Death of Bernard Palanca Sr., Pita’s first husband |
| Later years | Marriage to Dr. Lorenzo Hocson and growth of a blended family |
| August 27, 2008 | Birth of grandson Elijah Pineda Palanca |
| May 7, 2014 | Birth of grandson Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca |
| December 8, 2019 | Death of Miko Palanca at age 41 |
| March 19, 2020 | Death of Pita Revilla in San Francisco at age 62 |
Public Role and Profile
Pita did not have a well-documented Hollywood career like her father and siblings. Her public identity was family, not a marquee. She was most often in the press as a sister and daughter of the Revilla dynasty, the widow of a race car driver, the wife of a doctor, and the mother of two famous actors. Pita represented the gentle tide that keeps the river moving in a business that rewards attention.
Names, Surnames, and Hyphenations
Names map relationships. Maria del Pilar Revilla became Pita Revilla. She was known as Pita Revilla-Palanca after marrying Bernard Palanca Sr., a Filipino custom that combines birth and marital surnames. After marrying Dr. Lorenzo Hocson, several friends and media outlets referred to her as Pita Revilla-Hocson. All three variants refer to one person. The hyphen links life chapters, not identities.
FAQ
Who was Pita Revilla-Palanca
She was Maria del Pilar “Pita” Revilla, a member of the Revilla showbiz family and mother of actors Bernard Jr. and Miko Palanca.
When did Pita Revilla pass away
She died on March 19, 2020, at the age of 62.
Where did she die
She passed away in San Francisco, California.
Who were her parents
Her parents were actor Jose Revilla, known as Armando Goyena, and Francisca “Paquita” Roces.
Who were her spouses
She first married race car driver Bernard Palanca Sr., then later married Dr. Lorenzo Hocson.
How many children did she have
She had at least six children mentioned in public accounts, including Bernard Jr., Miko, Lisa, Erika, Martin, and Santi.
Did she have a showbiz career
She was not widely credited with a separate showbiz career and was primarily known through her prominent family.
Who are her known grandchildren
Her grandsons are Elijah Pineda Palanca, born in 2008, and Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca, born in 2014.
Why is her surname written in two forms
After her marriages she was referred to as Revilla-Palanca and later Revilla-Hocson, reflecting Filipino hyphenated naming customs that link maiden and married names.
What is her estimated birth year
Based on age reports at her death, her birth year is estimated as 1957 or 1958.
