Trigger warning: suicide, abuse, physical violence
The heat has not died down around freelance model Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, who has been pulled into the center of discussions after the death of fellow model Gina Lima.
As of this morning, November 19, 2025, heartbreaking news has emerged: Ivan was reportedly rushed to Quezon City General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Just three days earlier, on November 16, he had brought Gina to the same hospital, where she was pronounced dead due to “cardiac respiratory distress.”
GINA LIMA'S DEATH
Gina's story made the rounds on social media on November 17, 2025, as an alleged victim of physical abuse.
According to QCPD Spokesperson PMaj. Jennifer Gannaban: "Ang hospital mismo yung tumawag sa Police Station 1 na nagsasabi na may insidente na ganun, kaya pinuntahan po ng Station 1, at yun nga po ang nailagay sa report."
Meanwhile, on social media, Gina’s friends had begun making noise, claiming that Ivan may have been involved.
Quezon City Police District–Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) Chief PLt. Col. Edison Ouano said the victim was brought to the hospital by Ivan, who was referred to as Gina's ex-boyfriend in the report.
Read: Who is Gina Lima, Vivamax model who suffered a tragic death?
EARLY LIFE
Based on available data on Ivan Cezar R. Ronquillo’s Facebook account, he was born on January 31, 2001, making him 24 years old at the time of his death.
His hometown was Quezon City.
On Facebook and Reddit, some comments linked him to Cezar M. Ronquillo, former kagawad of Brgy. Apolonio Samson, Quezon City, suggesting that Cezar is his father.
The barangay hall confirmed to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that Cezar's last term ended before the May 2025 midterm elections and noted that he had served as a barangay councilor since 2018.
However, the office could not confirm whether Kagawad Ronquillo has a family or if Ivan is related to him.
No available photos or public digital footprint currently support or refute the claim.
Ivan's sister, Sheila Rodriguez, came forward on November 19, 2025, to express their family's loss, and share details of the model's funeral service.
EDUCATION
Social media accounts and Ivan’s deactivated Facebook page suggest that for college, he went to Far Eastern University, a private, non-sectarian institution in Manila founded in 1928.
CAREER
Although known online as a model, only one confirmed project featuring Ivan appears on public platforms.
He participated at the Bench Body of Work casting call in August 2024, where he introduced himself on video as 23 years old.
Like the other contestants, he wore the signature black Bench boxer briefs and a pair of black sneakers.
In one archived Instagram Story, Ivan declared he was six feet tall.
Read: Boyfriend ni Gina Lima may kinalaman sa pagkamatay ng sexy model?
PERSONAL LIFE
Circulating screenshots portray Ivan as a gym buff.
He frequently posted workout content, including a past tweet where he joked that he was “made up of Whey,” a reference to gym culture and protein shakes.
Beyond fitness, he also expressed interest in cars, posing beside various vehicles in several photos.
Should he be related to the former kagawad, this shared interest would be one of the few things they appear to visibly have in common.
PAST ALLEGATION
A post dated November 1, 2023 from X user @janL4302485 has resurfaced amid the current issue.
The user uploaded photos of Ivan posing in the gym, at the beach, and allegedly inside what appears to be a detention cell.
The caption, in all caps, alluded to Ivan being involved in an "ongoing" case.
At present, no public police records confirm the allegations mentioned in the post.
was Ivan Ronquillo involved in the death of Gina Lima?
When TV Patrol reported the incident on November 17, 2025, Gina and Ivan's names were not disclosed.
The ex-boyfriend reportedly told authorities that they were together in his home when he noticed she was no longer breathing.
SOCO operatives inspected the residence.
According to police, there were no signs of struggle, but bruises were found on the victim’s thighs.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine whether physical harm played a role in her death.
QCPD-CIDU Chief PLTCOL Edison Ounao told TV Patrol: “So far, wala pong nakita na strangulation o mga pasa na dahilan sa pagkamatay ng biktima.
“I-open natin kapag may doubt tayo kung may foul play or natural cause para malaman talaga.”
A confrontation between Gina’s friends and Ivan reportedly occurred at the hospital.
Police say they have video footage of the altercation. Two of Gina’s sisters also arrived at the hospital but chose not to speak to the media.
Ouano added that Gina had not previously reported being harmed by Ivan based on what her sisters told investigators.
Ivan cannot be classified as a suspect until the autopsy conducted by the PNP Forensic Group at Camp Crame is released.
Still, according to Ouano: "Kung makita doon na may foul play, maghahanap ang CIDU ng suspect kung sino ang responsible, possible ay homicide."
He added that tablets and suspected kush were recovered, with laboratory results pending.
He reiterated that the investigation remains open until the full autopsy determines Gina’s exact cause of death.
Read: Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, boyfriend of Gina Lima, found dead at his home
IVAN CEZAR RONQUILLO'S REPORTED DEATH
Authorities have confirmed today, November 19, 2025, that Ivan has died.
La Loma Quezon City Police District Station Commander Lt. Col. Jose Luis Aguirre told DZRH News in an interview, that Ivan died by suicide inside his home.
Police noted that the 24-year-old model died in the same residence where Gina was previously found unresponsive.
Ivan’s father declined to speak publicly but maintained that his son was not responsible for Gina’s death.
Police say Ivan reportedly called his father for help after finding Gina unresponsive.
Ivan's final social media activity
Ivan had deactivated his Facebook account soon after being linked to Gina’s death.
But shortly before his passing, he briefly reactivated it on the night of November 18, posting photos and videos from happier moments with Gina, including a clip showing her using a nebulizer.
He also shared a message addressed to Gina, written in Filipino, in which he expressed profound grief and hinted that he would “follow” her — a post now being widely circulated as his final note.
Ivan later uploaded photos of the scratches on his face, claiming they were caused by someone he identified as “Kevin Tan yg.”
Ivan wrote: “Kay kevin tan yg maraming salamat sa ginawa mo sa mukha
"justice narin bahala sayo at maraming salamat sa pag kalat maling impormasyon"
This final post was uploaded in the early hours of November 19, shortly before his death.
Read: 9262 Club: Female celebrities who filed cases against their husbands