More Articles
People call him the "King of Action Movies". For more
than four decades now, he has ruled the local big screen, even putting
in the sideline another actor and friend who became more successful
in politics. Fernando Poe Jr. is an icon admired by millions of
Filipinos and by his best friend, no less than former President Joseph
Estrada. They have been close friends since their days together in the
early '60s as stars of action movies. It was Poe who first used the
word "Erap" to refer to former President Estrada.
As an actor, Poe has mastered the role of a kind-hearted,
selfless and invincible super hero who defends the aggrieved people
against the forces of evil. The Filipino viewers look up to him because
he represents the good and noble in Filipino culture. He was born
Ron Allan but had to change his name to bank on the popularity of his
father who was a top actor in his time. Fernando Poe Sr. died from a
dog's rabies at 35, leaving the young Poe as the family's breadwinner.
At 14, the young Poe began his career with a starring role in "Anak
ni Palaris".
He made his first mark in the '60s with "Tatlong Hari".
He was an award-winning actor, having accumulated the most number of
best actor awards at FAMAS. He won awards for Mga Alabok ng Lupa (1967),
Asedillo (1971), Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979), Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin
Ko (1983), and Magnum 357 (1987). In most of his films, Poe has
doubled either as a director or a producer. As a director, he used the
name "Ronwaldo Reyes".
Lately, there were rumors that Poe might seek the presidency
in the year 2004. It would be easy enough for him, considering that
he enjoys the same mass-based popularity that catapulted his friend
to Malacaņang. Poe, however, had no experience in politics, except for
his joining the political campaigns of former President Estrada in 1998.
