Allyzza Kay Trinidad

The tragic deaths and heroic escapes of the VIPs in “Roja”

Article (news)

Blood and Bravery: Recounting the tragic deaths and heroic escapes of the VIPs in “Roja”

Kyla Dennise Magbanua

<p>What they expected to be a fun, relaxing vacation turned out to be their greatest nightmare in La Playa Roja. These VIP guests only wanted to escape the chaos of their reality, but tragically, some never imagined it would also be their final moments. As the attack unfolded, lives were lost, while some managed to survive. </p><p>Before everything comes to an end, let us trace back the VIP guests of La Playa Roja---those who fought, those who died, and those who withstood the siege in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/roja" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Roja</em></u></strong></a>.” </p><p>No one could have predicted when a life would end---especially for these guests who, aside from the fear and pressure they felt when the attack occurred, still faced the possibility of death during invasion.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Jabbas Cheng </strong></div><p>One of the guests, dubbed the “rich kid,” Jabbas Cheng (Iñigo Jose), is the son of a wealthy bank owner. He visited the resort along with his friends. In the early episodes, Jabbas is portrayed as someone easily distracted by his wealth and desires, making him an easy target for anyone trying to steal his belongings while he is preoccupied.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_Zm97VuZQE" title="Emil finally silences Jabbas | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>When the siege occurred, with ransom money about to be demanded from him, Jabbas’ arrogant attitude led to his downfall. He told the goons that getting money from him is not easy. When Emil (Joel Torre) ordered him to call his father for ransom, Jabbas tried another route and seek help but failed to secure any. This provoked Emil to shoot him, ending his life.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Nurse Claire Alegre  </strong></div><p>Serving as Conney&#x27;s (Sandy Andolong) private nurse, Claire (Rans Rifol) accompanied the Morillo couple to the resort. However, this visit and the siege also lead Conney to discover her secret relationship with his husband, Doc Jessie (Robert Seña), straining their marriage. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X2ztuVvZNfY" title="Greta and Magnus overhear Emil’s next plan | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Later on, with the help of Liam (Donny Pangilinan) and Olsen (Kyle Echarri), Claire boarded a speedboat along with Jessie and Conney to flee. However, Emil&#x27;s armed men pursued them and triggered a shootout, resulting in Claire being fatally shot.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Mama Ona Chan </strong></div><p>Mama Ona Chan (Xilhouette) was the talent manager of social media influencers, and was also known as one of the prominent diamond importers in the country. He served a dual role, acting as both a maternal and paternal figure to his talents because of his protective nature.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aAAfblB86jw" title="Mama Ona’s farewell | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>During the siege, when ransom money was being demanded from him, Ona Chan faced Lucas’ (Marc Abaya) fury in several situations. First, when he tried to escape, Lucas cut off one of his limbs. Later on, he tragically met his death along with one of his talents, Jules. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Jules Santos </strong></div><p>Vlogger-influencer Jules Santos (AC Bonifacio) was one of the talents of Ona Chan. She was often seen documenting her experiences inside the resort to keep her followers updated, even when she managed to break free, she still posted an awareness video about the hostage-takers.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Go9dcpZiq-c" title="The Farewell of Jules and Mama Ona | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>While one of the goons, Ian (Harvey Bautista), tried to assist her in getting away, Jules unfortunately lost her life at the hands of Lucas. After withdrawing her ransom money from the bank, she and Mama Ona attempted to fight back against Lucas and his armed men, which led to both of them being shot.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Boss Topak </strong></div><p>Another rich kid on sight was Boss Topak (Benedict Cua), who sold luxury watches and did not usually take life seriously, living instead by his own will. His nickname, “Topak,” reflected his loud and aggressive personality. Eventually, he faced Emil&#x27;s fury when the chain of targets pointed toward him.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S8r1Ie-RMmM" title="Boss Topak’s Farewell | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>In his attempt to flee, Topak ran from the hostage-takers, panic written all over him. He tried to attack one of them when he was caught, but he ultimately lost his life.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Bogs Lim </strong></div><p>Bogs Lim (Emilio Daez) was a vlogger-influencer visiting La Playa Roja with Jules, Ona Chan, and his girlfriend Ice, and also served as their cameraman. When Jules and Ona left the resort, Bogs tried his best to run away with Ice (Kai Montinola), helping the other victims hand in hand as they neared the escape route.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PKnOQGybXe0" title="Olsen immediately rush in to help in the middle of the fight | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>However, an attack from the hostage-takers marked Bogs’ tragic arc. As he approached the speedboat to get away, the goons engaged in a shootout with the authorities assisting the victims. Bogs was unfortunately shot in the back, which led to his death. </p><p>With the others facing the end of their lives, some of the guests found the strength to risk everything despite the damage it might cause, and fortunately, the following individuals emerged alive from Emil’s fury, a testament to how much they had sacrificed until the end. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Doc Jessie and Conney Morillo</strong></div><p>The wealthy, prominent couple Doc Jessie and Conney Morillo got caught up in a siege at La Playa Roja during their visit, with their marriage pushed to the brink when Conney discovered Jessie’s affair with her private nurse. The couple was also the first to be targeted by the goons for money, which raised suspicion from their son and led authorities to realize that a hostage situation was unfolding at the resort.   </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rQG93DK6h4w" title="Liam confirms the news about Greta to Conney and Jessie | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Afterward, Jessie and Conney were rescued by Olsen, with Jessie immediately aiding the other victims. The two escaped the island premises through a speedboat and eventually met Liam at the hospital to catch up on what really happened during the La Playa Roja siege.  </p><div> </div><div><strong>Macky Maristella </strong></div><p>Macky (Kobie Brown), son of Senator Eduardo Maristella (Lloyd Samartino), had become involved in dangerous hostage situations during the La Playa Roja attack along with his friends Jabbas and Boss Topak. To extort money from his father, Emil had tortured him nearly to death, but Macky managed to escape and had been rescued while also fighting back against the thieves. The ordeal also made Macky reflect and apologize to his father for his tactless behavior, allowing them to rekindle their relationship while he received medical care.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ow9h1eEQzPE" title="Macky and Ice come up with a solution to defuse the bombs | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>However, when Emil and his team infiltrated the hospital, Macky had faced another hostage-taking ordeal. Familiar with the technology and devices used by the goons, he had helped deactivate the explosives attached to their bodies. Eventually, Macky escaped with Rita (Maika Rivera).  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Rita Prudencio </strong></div><p>While tagged as a VIP guest, Rita (Maika Rivera) had been Macky’s girlfriend, joining him and the other “rich kids” on their visit to La Playa Roja. She had shown a multifaceted personality, with stealing as one of her sidelines, as the elites around her had remained unaware of her secret plans.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H3c7Xa66gWE" title="Olsen does not expect Wendy’s support | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Rita eventually proved that she was more than that. She had tried to help Jabbas, Macky, and Topak in different situations, even risking her life for the other victims. In the end, Rita had found a way to flee from Emil’s wrath, from the resort to the hospital, and had officially entered into a relationship with Macky.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Mike, Minnie, and Maddie Del Rosario </strong></div><p>A family until the end, the Del Rosario clan, Maddie (Zia Grace), Minnie (Nikki Valdez), and Mike Del Rosario (Cris Villanueva), became one of the major targets during the crisis, and were later used as leverage for escape. At the resort, they faced difficult situations, were separated multiple times, yet broke free together.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCZMVQCjcm0" title="Maddie tears up when she is reunited with her parents | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>When Emil once again staged chaos at the hospital, the three were taken to the basement. Mike and Minnie, an engineer and an architect, and also the ones who built the La Playa Roja resort, were ordered by Emil to dig a tunnel that would serve as his escape route. As everything finally came to a close, the family regained their freedom from his wrath despite the heavy circumstances they faced. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Ice Mercado </strong></div><p>Former influencer and vlogger, now an aspiring nurse, Ice Mercado (Kai Montinola) was one of the key protectors and survivors of the attack. When she became separated from her fellow guests Jules, Ona, and Bogs, Ice confronted her fears by fighting the armed men, especially with Olsen’s help. She also played an important role in treating the victims’ wounds, particularly Wendy and Liam.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1020" height="574" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b6VnrzODUKU" title="Ice and Olsen’s lips almost touch | ROJA (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Ice continued her bid for freedom even when the hospital where they sought assistance once again turned into a battlefield between Emil and the victims. When everything finally ended well for her, she posted her last vlog on her channel for her followers, thanking Olsen and Liam for helping the victims. She also said goodbye to Olsen as she pursued her nursing career, while a budding relationship began to form between them.  </p><p>These VIP guests risked their lives regardless of the cost, despite their wealth and fame. When everything came down to moments like these, their resilience, courage, and willingness to help still endured. Some of them may have been lost, while others survived, but all of them put up a good fight during the ordeal. </p><p>Catch more action-packed moments in the finale week of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/roja" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Roja</em></u></strong></a>,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>Trace back the VIP guests of La Playa Roja---those who fought, those who died, and those who withstood the siege in “Roja”</p>

Trace back the VIP guests of La Playa Roja---those who fought, those who died, and those who withstood the siege in “Roja”