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Fernando Poe Jr.

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Not to be confused with Fernando Po.
Fernando Poe, Jr.
File:Fernando Poe, Jr..jpg
Born
Ronald Allan Kelley Poe
Other namesRonwaldo Reyes
Ronnie
Da King
FPJ
Panday
SpouseSusan Roces
ChildrenMary Grace Poe-Llamanzares,
Ronnian Poe,
Lovi Poe
ParentFernando Poe, Sr. (father)
Elizabeth "Bessie" Kelley (mother)

Ronald Allan Kelley Poe (August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004), better known as Fernando Poe, Jr. and colloquially known as FPJ and Da King, was a Filipino actor and later politician, having run an unsuccessful bid for President of the Philippines in the 2004 presidential elections against the incumbent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was honored on May 24, 2006 with the title of Philippine National Artist through an executive order called Philippine Proclamation No. 1065, despite controversies surrounding his nomination.[1]

Personal life

Ronald Allan K. Poe was born on August 20, 1939 in Manila, Philippines, of Spanish, Austronesian, and Irish-American extraction, the son of actor-producer-director Fernando Poe, Sr. of San Carlos City, Pangasinan (1916-1951) and Elizabeth Gatbonton Kelley (1918-1999) of Candaba, Pampanga. [2] Poe Jr.'s parents were not legally married yet when he was born in 1939, which Poe, Jr.'s Filipino citizenship would much later in life be called into question as he was the illegitimate son of a non-Filipino mother, according to his political opponents who sought to disqualify him from running in a political race. Although, his parents later married in 1940. [3] He was the second of six siblings, born after Elizabeth and before Fernando (Andy), Genevieve (Jenny), Fredrick (Freddieboy), and Evangeline. His name at birth was Ronald Allan Kelley Poe; it was his brother Andy who was really named Fernando Poe, Jr.

Filipino actor Conrad Poe was his half-brother, the illegitimate son of the late Fernando Poe Sr. by actress Patricia Mijares.[4] The original family surname was spelled Pou from his grandfather, playwright Lorenzo Pou, a Catalan migrant from Majorca, Spain, who ventured into mining and business in the Philippines.[4]

As his father was a famous actor, Poe had small parts in several movies of the 1940s. However, Fernando Poe, Sr. died in 1951 after rabis puppies licked his wounds. His mother, Bessie Kelley, was an American and sometimes called Elizabeth Kelley in some sources especially in Philippine press. [5][6][7] His mother's parents, Arthur Kelley (WWI Army Corp of Engineer from Iowa, USA) was an Irish American who settled in the Philippines and Martha Gatbonton, a Filipina of mixed Kapampangan and Spanish heritage.

Poe finished primary education in 1953 at San Beda College. For high school, he went to San Sebastian College, Mapua Institute of Technology, and University of the East. [8]After the death of his father, he dropped out of the University of the East in his sophomore year in order to work to support his family. He then adopted the screen name Fernando Poe, Jr..[8][9]

He married actress Susan Roces in a civil ceremony in December 1968.[8] They were later married in a church and among their primary sponsors were then President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos. [10]Mary Grace was their only child, an adopted one.[8]

Although a well-known public figure, Poe had been very reclusive about his personal life. However, in February 2004, during the presidential campaign, Poe admitted to having sired a child out of wedlock. Ronian, or Ron Allan, was Poe's son by former actress Anna Marin.[11] It was revealed that he also sired a daughter through former model Rowena Moran, Lovi[12] who is now making a name for herself in the Philippine showbiz scene as a singer and actress.

Acting career

Poe dropped out of high school to work in the Filipino film industry as a messenger boy, and was given acting roles in subsequent years.[8] Starting as a stuntman for Everlasting Pictures, he was given a break and landed his first starring role in the movie Anak ni Palaris (Son of Palaris) at the age of 14. The movie was not a big hit. In 1957, the movie Lo Waist Gang made him popular,[8] and the film was such a big hit that low-waist pants became a fad.

Known also as FPJ from his initials, Poe acted in a number of movies which depicted him as the champion of the poor and downtrodden. He also directed nine movies, under the pseudonym Ronwaldo Reyes. Reyes originated from the surname of his paternal grandmother, Martha.

He established FPJ productions in 1961 and later organized other film companies such as D'Lanor, JAFERE, and Rosas Productions. In 1963, he and Joseph Estrada testified against criminal gangs, known as the Big Four, who extorted money from the film industry.[13] In 1965, he shared the lead in The Ravagers, a film depicting the United States and the Philippines working together against Japanese war time occupation. The film is considered one of the most influential Filipino films, and it helped establish Fernando Poe, Jr.'s status as a movie icon.

Poe became an award-winning actor and garnered the most best actor awards at the FAMAS. Among the movies that received awards were Mga Alabok ng Lupa (1967), Asedillo (1971), Durugin si Totoy Bato, Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin Ko (1983), and Muslim Magnum .357 (1987).[14]

Poe was dubbed as the "Da King" of Philippine movies because of his box office hits. He made over 200 films in his lifetime and ran a successful movie production firm. Among his famous movies include the Ang Panday series, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Dito sa Pitong Gatang and Aguila. His last movie was Pakners which also stars 9-ball billiards champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.

Selected filmography

Presidential bid

Fernando Poe Jr., was the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP)'s candidate for the 2004 presidential election. A public figure in his movie career and known for his charitable but unpublicized endeavours, he targeted his candidacy at the same poor whom he championed in his movies.

Poe accepted the nomination in December 2003 and was to be the standard opposition bearer for the Philippines' 2004 presidential election.[15] Some accounts portray him as a reluctant candidate who was only prevailed upon to accept the nomination by his best friend, deposed former President Joseph Estrada. But other accounts say he was convinced to cast his bid for the presidency because of the overwhelming crowd that gathered for the first rally of the FPJ for President Movement at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Disqualification case

One of the primary issues that Poe faced during the campaign period was the disqualification case filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and later elevated to the Supreme Court about his citizenship.[16] Even though he was born in the Philippines, lawyers, including Maria Jeanette Tecson, who filed the disqualification case argued that Poe was not a natural-born Filipino, a requirement for a presidential candidate, because he was an illegitimate child who should have followed the citizenship of his American mother. They argued that Poe's father was not a Filipino either because records indicated that Poe's father was a Spanish national. The Supreme Court voted 8-5, with one abstention, in favor of Poe. The high court upheld the previous Comelec ruling and declared Poe was a "natural-born citizen and qualified to run." [16] Supreme Court Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. said a preponderance of evidence established that Poe's father was a Filipino because Poe's grandfather, Lorenzo, had not declared allegiance to Spain by virtue of the Treaty of Paris and the Philippine Bill of 1902.[16] Davide said that, in the case of an illegitimate child whose father is a Filipino and whose mother is an alien, proof of paternity is enough for the child to take after the citizenship of his putative father.

Death of Lawyer Maria Jeanette Tecson

On September 28, 2007, 8:30 p.m, Senior Superintendent Francisco Uyami, Pasig police chief stated that Lawyer Maria Tecson, 40, was found dead (in a state of rigor mortis) inside room 204 at the Richmond Hotel, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City (with her throat slit and with cuts on her wrist). [17] Maria Jeanette Tecson, Zoilo Velez (promoted to Court of Appeals Justice) and Victorino Fornier filed the disqualification case against Fernando Poe, Jr. She claimed Poe was born out of wedlock and that while Poe's birth certificate was dated 1939, his parents Allan Poe and American mother Bessie Kelly did not marry until 1940. [18] To date there is no evidence or any reason to believe that Poe or his supporters may have personal vendetta that could have led to the sudden demise of Tecson.

Campaign period

Political critics charged Poe of being heavily linked to political interest groups, and tried to compare his candidacy to that of Estrada, who ran on a similar platform, but was deposed from office and put under house arrest after numerous corruption scandals. While initially seen as the frontrunner in the campaign, his performance in opinion polls was eventually surpassed by the incumbent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who went on to win the elections.[19] The poll protest was later thrown out by the Supreme Court acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal[20] There is a controversy, known as the Hello Garci scandal, on whether Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had actually won the elections due to allegations of vote rigging, but this was denied by Arroyo.

Poll protest

After Poe unsuccessful bid to the presidency, his supporters, which include the deposed Estrada's supporters, viewed the election results as flawed, and came under legal protest by Poe and his vice-presidential running mate, former Senator Loren Legarda.[21] The poll protest was later thrown out by the Supreme Court acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal[22], as well as Legarda's protest.[23]

Public opinion

On January 25, 2008, Pulse Asia survey (commissioned by Genuine Opposition (GO) per former Senator Sergio Osmeña III) stated that 58% percent of Filipinos in Mindanao believed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the Philippine general election, 2004. 70% also "believed that because of recurring allegations of election fraud, the credibility of the balloting process in Mindanao was at a record low."[24] Many Pangasinenses, on the other hand, still find it really hard to believe that Poe got no votes at all in the municipality of Santo Tomas, Pangasinan.

Death

File:40654681 crowds ap300.jpg
Poe's coffin at his funeral procession

Poe was admitted to Saint Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City on the evening of December 11, 2004 after complaining of dizziness at a gathering in his production studio premise.[25] He suffered from a stroke and slipped into a coma while being treated for a brain clot. Doctors described his condition as a cerebral thrombosis with multiple organ failure.[26] He died at the age of 65 on December 14 at 12:01 am, without regaining consciousness.[26] Friends and allies from the movie and political worlds were at his bedside. He left behind his wife actress Susan Roces and daughter, Mary Grace, and also his illegitimate son, Ronian, and daughter, Lovi.

The 9 day wake was attended by hundreds of thousands, with organizers claiming numbers as high as two million.[27] The funeral procession drew tens of thousands who crowded the streets of Quezon City. He was buried in his family plot along with his father and mother in North Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

3rd Death Anniversary

On December 14, 2007, Susan Roces led 3rd death anniversary rites by a Mass visit to the cemetery in simple rites for husband Fernando Poe Jr. "Dear uncle Ronnie, I love you, I miss you" small Christmas cards were placed near flowers on Poe's tomb. [28]

FPJ Library

On September 29, 2007, ABS-CBN acquired the exclusive rights to the whole movie library of the late Fernando Poe, Jr., after Susan Roces signed the contract. ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production, and Poe’s daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares were present. [29]

Alay ni Da King: An FPJ Special

On December 23, 2007, 3:30 p.m. Alay ni Da King: a Fernando Poe, Jr. Special will be hosted by Cinema One ABS-CBN Channel Head Charo Santos-Concio. Susan Roces will contribute their life journey. In 3 parts, FPJ, "The Artist" will be hosted by Vilma Santos, FPJ, "Ang Kaibigan" (The Friend), by Christopher de Leon and FPJ, Ang Idolo, by Boots Anson Roa. 38-minute music video features Poe before he died.[30]

References

  1. ^ "Poe, six others proclaimed National Artists". INQ7.net. 2006-05-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Ivan About Town: Ninoy and FPJ death masks on display in Pampanga
  3. ^ http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/feb/11/yehey/top_stories/20040211top4.html
  4. ^ a b "Biography for Fernando Poe" (HTML). IMDB. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  5. ^ "Poe Jr., Fernando". Halalan 2004. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
  6. ^ "Spinning FPJ". Newsbreak. INQ7.net. 2002-10-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "FPJ DRAWS TRIBUTE FROM ALL OVER". Philippine Headline News Online. 2004-12-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e f "We bid farewell to a good man, movie king Fernando Poe Jr". Manila Bulletin. 2004-12-22. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  9. ^ "The cast of characters in the May 10, 2004 national election". Manila Times. 2003-01-11. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  10. ^ Picture gallery of Poe-Roces nuptial from a Susan Roces fan site. Former President Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos can be seen from the pictures.
  11. ^ Asian Journal Online
  12. ^ Lovi Poe - Biography
  13. ^ "Ronald Allan Poe: A profile". Asian Journal Online. 2003-11-27. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  14. ^ "Awards for Fernando Poe Jr". IMDB. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  15. ^ "Poe accepted nomination as main opposition candidate vs. Arroyo for 2004". Newsflash.org. 2003-12-23. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  16. ^ a b c "Poe Filipino, SC rules". Sun Star Network Online. 2004-04-03. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  17. ^ Inquirer.net, Lawyer found dead in Pasig hotel
  18. ^ GMA NEWS.TV, Laywer who filed DQ case vs FPJ found dead in Ortigas hotel
  19. ^ "GMA, FPJ 'statistically tied' in SWS survey". Sun Star Network Online. 2004-03-04. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  20. ^ "FPJ's poll protest vs GMA junked". Manila Standard Today. 2005-03-30. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  21. ^ "FPJ, Loren file separate poll protest before the Supreme Court". Newsflash.org. 2004-07-24. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  22. ^ "FPJ's poll protest vs GMA junked". Manila Standard Today. 2005-03-30. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  23. ^ "Legarda's poll protest vs De Castro junked". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  24. ^ GMA NEWS.TV, Most Mindanaoans believe Arroyo cheated in ’04 polls - Pulse
  25. ^ "Fernando Poe Jr., 65, Philippine Actor-Politician, Dies". The New York Times. 2004-12-14. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  26. ^ a b "Shocking showbiz deaths: so sudden, so soon". Philippine Entertainment Portal. 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  27. ^ "MASSIVE SECURITY FOR FPJ BURIAL". Philippine Headline News Online. 2004-12-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ GmaNews.tv, Susan Roces leads FPJ death anniversary rites
  29. ^ Abs-Cbn Interactive, ABS-CBN acquires right to 'Da King's' movie library
  30. ^ mb.com.ph, ‘Alay ni Da King: An FPJ Special’ encores tomorrow
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