The Philippine political landscape would have been entirely different had the people’s will respected in the presidential elections of 2004. If FPJ did not meet his untimely death on December 14, 2004 and his election protest against PGMA had succeeded, we would have different occupants in Malacañang after FPJ. Most likely, his bosom friend Erap would have captured the presidency in the 2010 presidential derby with the full backing of FPJ. As it was, former President Erap Estrada still clinched the second spot next only to the eventual winner, President Noynoy Aquino. The “Hello Garci” was the most infamous call that was never answered. The die-hard supporters of FPJ still believe to this day that he was the duly elected president of the country in 2004 and they remember FPJ in prayers as his 16th death anniversary next Monday approaches. He failed to occupy Malacañang but he permanently occupies a place in the hearts of his adoring countrymen.
Ronald Alan Kelley Poe had many names—FPJ, Ronwaldo Reyes, Ronnie and Ang Panday—but there was no mistaking to his avid fans that there was only one of his kind in the movie world. During his Lo’ Waist Gang movies in the 1950s, he was I think called Nanding by his gang mates like Zaldy Zhornack, Berting Labra, Corazon Rivas, Boy Sta. Romana, Boy Francisco, Butch Bautista and others, but it did not stick because the name Fernando which he appropriated to capitalize on his late father’s popularity actually belonged to his younger brother Andy Poe. Behind the camera, his fellow actors referred to him as Ronnie, the official nickname given to him by his family. However, to his legions of fans, he was simply regarded as “Da King”—the undisputed king of Philippine movies during his time. And it was a long reign which saw his male fans discarded their low waist pants to high waist, closeted their tightly fit trousers in favor of bell bottoms, and gave up their corduroy for denims. The fashion fads had changed but his ardent followers remained. Only FPJ remained in the imagination of the moviegoers, with the possible exception of Zaldy. The rest of the gang banished from the movie firmament after the Lo’ Waist Gang movies ran out of sequels and the low-waist pants ran out of fashion.
When his father, a top actor at that time, died at the age of 35, FPJ became the family breadwinner. He had to drop out from school and started as a stuntman for Everlasting Pictures. He was given his first starring role at the age of 14 in the movie Anak ni Palaris but the Lo’ Waist Gang film series made his name a by-word among the moviegoers. He became the top action star and the highest paid actor during his time. He depicted roles that portrayed him as the protector of the poor and the defenseless. The masses idolized him and he commanded a strong following all over the country. It was once reported that when FPJ was being mauled by the goons in an action movie, one moviegoer inside the theater in Mindanao drew his automatic weapon and fired at the movie screen. He formed his own movie outfits and produced his own films, which broke box-office records. He was a much sought-after commercial endorser, which netted him substantial earnings. His endorsement deal of San Miguel products remains unmatched to this day.
Together with his close friend Erap Estrada and other colleagues from the industry, he resisted the notorious criminal gang, Big Four, which victimized the film industry and its players. They exposed their extortion activities without regard to their own safety. They were warned of disfigurement and death but the two who played toughie roles and defenders of the oppressed in their films, stocked powerful arms and prepared for battle. A task force was created by the government and investigated the matter.
FPJ’s acts of charity were well known and he extended help to the needy, particularly his colleagues in the movie industry, without any fanfare or publicity. He paid for their medical treatments, supported the education of their kids and even spent for their mortuary expenses. By producing numerous movies, he had assisted thousands of his fellow actors, bit players and allied workers in the movie world. When he died, his movie studio in del Monte was found to be overflowing with bags of goodies for distribution as Christmas gifts to the poor despite losing the immediately preceding election.
He was an actor, director, writer, and producer. He produced and directed the movie, Ang Padrino in 1984, which hauled the awards in the FAMAS that year—Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture. He received the Order of National Artist of the Philippines for Film posthumously on May 23, 2006 by former President Gloria M. Arroyo, but his family did not receive this. However, President Benigno Aquino III confirmed it during his presidency and the award was presented to his family on August 16, 2012. He was a FAMAS Hall of Famer after having won several acting and directorial awards from FAMAS. He first won the Best Actor Award trophy for his role in Mga Alabok sa Lupa in 1968. This was followed by his portrayal as leading actor in Asedillo in 1971, Durugin si Totoy Bato in 1979, Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin Ko in 1983 and Muslim .357 in 1986. FAMAS also recognized him as Best Director a couple of times.
In 2000, he received the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award. The only missing achievement is the highest award within the power of the Filipino people to give—the Presidency of the Philippines. For all we know, it was bestowed—but it was not duly counted.