Acting saved Pilapil from certain death

MANILA, Philippines -- A seasoned actress that she is, Pilar Pilapil played dead to survive the ordeal she went through at the hands of her attackers last Thursday, her family said Sunday.

In a press conference at the Medical City in Pasig City, where the actress is now recuperating, her brother Leo said Pilapil’s presence of mind saved her during the assault.

Pilapil’s attending physician, Dr. Raymond Resurreccion, said the actress was stabbed in the neck, face, arms, and armpit. The weapon used in the assault also hit a part of her left lung, said Resurreccion.

But despite her injuries, Pilapil kept her presence of mind, played dead, and after she was dumped by her attackers at a grassy lot in Antipolo, immediately sought help.

Leo also said the actress’ faith in God kept her alive as he claimed that while his sister was being stabbed, she just kept on praying while pleading to her attackers.

Initial police reports showed Pilapil, 60, was with a female companion, identified as Rosel Rossalem, on board a Kia gold car slowly cruising down the RiverbanksCenter in Marikina City when two men armed with bladed weapons and an ice pick caught up with them and suddenly got into the car around 9:30 p.m. last Thursday.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) later said Pilapil’s companion was actually her husband’s niece, whose real name is Rosel Jakosalem Penas.

Pilar’s brother said Penas was driving the car.

The two men reportedly forced the actress to move to the backseat of the car where she was repeatedly stabbed, while Penas was told to keep on driving.

The actress was later dumped for dead in a grassy lot on Pinagminahan Road, Piedra Blanca, Barangay San Luis, Antipolo City.

Penas, on the other hand, was taken by the suspects along with the gold Kia car. Police are still looking for her.

Pilapil was initially taken to the Antipolo District Hospital, but was later transferred to the Medical City hospital in Pasig.

Resureccion said the actress was coherent at the time she arrived at the Medical City.

The PNP-CIDG on Saturday night released an artist’s sketch of one of Pilapil’s attackers, whom the actress described as between 25and20 years old, of heavy build, dark complexion, at least 5’8’’ in height, and spoke Tagalong.

Authorities also said they are now following the leads provided to them by the actress.

Senior Supt. Napoleon Cioronel, CIDG-NCR chief, said based on their initial assessment, the incident appears to be a random act of carjacking or robbery/hold-up.