Two years after the gruesome death of her boyfriend Ramgen Revilla on October 28, 2011, Janelle Manahan has moved on.
Janelle’s photos on her Twitter and Instagram accounts don’t show any sign of a face that had undergone several facial surgeries and electrical stimulation therapy after a bullet went through her head the day an assassin barged into the room of the 23-year-old son of former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. in Paranaque and killed him with three gunshots and stabbed him 11 times.
Though she thought of dying as she bled profusely, the then 22-year-old girlfriend of Ramgen was able to call a friend, Wendell Cunanan, who reported the incident to Patrol 117.
“Actually until now I cannot believe na nangyari sa'kin 'yon. Kasi before, I only see it in the movies. I never thought that it would happen to me,” she told Yahoo Philippines OMG.
Life goes on for Janelle. Though she admits looking back still brings fear, she just feels blessed to survive death.
“Akala ko last day ko na 'yon. I'm very thankful that I was given a chance to live my life again and be able to survive that tragic event.”
New life, new love
Although Ramgen was not as famous as his half-brother—actor-politician Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.—his sudden death unearthed a possible sibling rivalry that dragged his two siblings, Ramon Joseph (RJ) and Ramona, as principal suspects.
RJ has since been in prison while Ramona has fled to Turkey before she was put on the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Wanted List.
And although she swore not to have a boyfriend after Ramgen’s death, Janelle now faces a new life with her new love.
“Yeah. I've moved on na din on that aspect [relationship]. But as much as possible, since the guy is very private, I try to keep kung sino siya.”
Janelle shared that she and her boyfriend have been friends since last year, but officially became a couple early this year.
Building her future ‘online’
The 24-year-old murder survivor has started her own online clothing company—AsteriAsia, for which she designs and sells clothes for women.
“Startup pa lang siya but hopefully, in the future sana lumaki. It's doing well. Actually before we only sell dresses. But after we saw the demand for street wear like statement and graphic shirts and denim, for our next collection this November 'yun ang ilalabas namin.”
What started as a childhood memory of a young Janelle staying in her aunt’s fabric factory became an inspiration to build her own business.
“It's what I want to do. Feeling ko hindi ako nagwo-work.”
Source: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com
