Fernando Poe Jr.

Ronald Allan Kelley Poe (August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004), known professionally as Fernando Poe Jr., was a Filipino actor, director and screenwriter. Nicknamed "Da King" and often referred to by his initials FPJ, he has been described as a cultural icon, having dominated the Philippine box-office from the 1960s to 1990s through his leading roles in action films. For his career that spanned nearly five decades, he has received numerous honors including the Order of National Artists of the Philippines in 2006 and the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts in 1999.

Poe appeared in around 300 films from 1955 to 2003. Poe entered the film industry as a stuntman following the death of his father, actor Fernando Poe Sr., and made his film debut in 1955 with Anak ni Palaris, a sequel to a film that starred his father. His breakout came in the 1956 film Lo Waist Gang and went on to star in action films that portrayed him as the "champion and defender of the poor and oppressed". His notable films include: Only the Brave Know Hell (1965), Lino Brocka's Santiago! (1970), Celso Ad. Castillo's Asedillo (1971), Bato sa Buhangin (1976), Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979), Eddie Romero's Aguila (1980); his self-directed Ang Panday (1980) and its sequels; Roman Rapido and Isang Bala Ka Lang! (both 1983), the 1986 films Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite, Muslim .357, and Batang Quiapo; Kahit Konting Pagtingin (1990), Ang Probinsyano (1996), Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... (1999), Ang Dalubhasa (2000), and Batas ng Lansangan (2002).

Poe's accolades include five FAMAS Awards for Best Actor—a joint record that inducted him into the FAMAS Hall of Fame in 1988. He also won Best Director for his films Ang Padrino (1984) and Kahit Butas ng Karayom, Papasukin Ko (1995). In 2004, FAMAS posthumously granted him the Natatanging Alagad ng Sining Award. Poe was also posthumously declared a National Artist of the Philippines in 2006 (accepted by his family in 2012).

Poe ran for president of the Philippines in the 2004 election. He lost to the incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo by just over one million votes (3.48%)—the closest margin by percentage between the winner and runner-up in the history of Philippine presidential elections. Seven months after the election, Poe died of a stroke; hundreds of thousands attended his wake and funeral.

Poe was married to actress Susan Roces, who played his onscreen love interest in 17 films. whose given name was used by Poe as his own professional name to bank on the popularity of his father who was a top actor in his time. Conrad Poe was Poe's half-brother, the illegitimate son of Fernando Poe Sr. and actress Patricia Mijares.

The original spelling of the family surname was Pou, from his paternal grandfather, playwright Lorenzo Pou, a Catalan migrant from Mallorca, Spain, who ventured into mining and business in the Philippines.

In 1953, Poe finished his primary education at San Beda College. For high school, he attended San Sebastian College. He continued his education at Mapúa Institute of Technology and University of the East and took the course theater arts.

When his father died from rabies at age 34, Poe became the family's breadwinner. In order to support his family, he dropped out of the University of the East during his sophomore year.

Film career Poe dropped out of college to work in the Philippine film industry as a messenger boy, and was given acting roles in subsequent years. Starting as a stuntman for Everlasting Pictures, he was given a starring role in the film Anak ni Palaris (Son of Palaris) at the age of 14. The film, however, was not a big hit. In 1956, the film Lo' Waist Gang made him popular, In 1988, Poe partnered with San Miguel Corporation in a near promotional deal for San Miguel Beer, his first endorsement of a product in his entire film career, with the first television commercial airing on January 20.

In mid-1993, Poe was then set to star in a film produced by Viva Films and directed by Pablo Santiago titled Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib, with Alice Dixson cast as the female lead, though it did not come to fruition.

Among his roles were Flavio in the Ang Panday fantasy series, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Dito sa Pitong Gatang and Aguila. His last film, Pakners, also stars 9-ball billiards champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.

Political career 2004 Presidential bid

Fernando Poe Jr. was the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP)'s candidate for the 2004 presidential election. He accepted nomination in December 2003 and was to be the opposition candidate in the Philippines' 2004 presidential election.

Personal life Poe married actress Susan Roces, the professional name of Jesusa Sonora, in a civil wedding in December 1968. They later married in a religious service and among their primary sponsors were then-President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda. Poe and Roces adopted a daughter, Grace Poe, who became a senator.

Poe was very reclusive about his personal life. However, in February 2004, during the presidential campaign, Poe admitted to having fathered two children out of wedlock. He had an affair with actress Anna Marin and had one son, Ronian and with former actress Rowena Moran and had a daughter, Lourdes Virginia. While he publicly acknowledged two children out of wedlock, reports indicated that he allegedly fathered two more other children. Sources claimed that he had a child from a former actress named "Monica", who was born in 1960. Their child has been reported living in Hawaii. There were claims that Poe had another child from a comedian-actress.

Poe was also a known horse owner and horse racing enthusiast.

Death and legacy

Poe was admitted to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City in the evening of December 11, 2004, after complaining of dizziness at a gathering in his production studio during a Christmas party. 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. He died at the age of 65 on December 14 at 12:01 am PHT (UTC+08:00), without regaining consciousness. Organizers of the nine-day wake claimed numbers as high as two million. The funeral procession drew tens of thousands who crowded the streets of Quezon City, an event which drew comparisons to the funeral processions of former Senator Ninoy Aquino in August 1983 – who also had his wake held at the Santo Domingo Church – and of actress Julie Vega in May 1985. He was buried in his family plot along with his parents in the Manila North Cemetery. Aftermath On December 14, 2012, eight years after his death, a monument to Poe was erected at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Arquiza Street in Ermita, Manila, with widow Susan Roces and daughter Grace Poe attending the unveiling. In 2013, Tonton Gutierrez portrayed Fernando Poe Jr. in the life story of Poe's daughter Grace Poe, depicted by Erich Gonzales, on Maalaala Mo Kaya. In 2015, his 1997 film Ang Probinsyano was remade by ABS-CBN into a TV series, starring Coco Martin as the main character to portray twins namely SPO1 Ricardo "Cardo" Dalisay and Police Sr. Insp. Dominador "Ador" de Leon together with Susan Roces, FPJ's widow. On January 13, 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11608, renaming Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City as Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue.

On his 84th birth anniversary on August 20, 2023, Roosevelt station of LRT Line 1 in Quezon City was renamed Fernando Poe Jr. station; FPJ Arena, a sports arena in San Jose, Batangas also named in his honor, was inaugurated. The FPJ Film Archives has been inscribed in the National Memory of the World Register of the Philippines. In horse racing, Poe was posthumously inducted in the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) Hall of Fame in 2023 for promoting the discipline through his films. The main road within the MetroTurf Racecourse complex in Batangas was also named after Poe.

Filmography Year TitleRole 1955 Anak ni Palaris 1956 Simaron An extra Babaeng Mandarambong Lo' Waist Gang 1957 Kamay ni Cain Ernesto Bakasyon Grande Tipin Los Lacuacheros H-Line Gang Bicol Express Tonying Student Canteen 1958 Lutong Makaw Pepeng Kaliwete May Pasikat Ba sa Kano Obra Maestra Atrebida Lo’ Waist Gang at si Og sa Mindoro Laban sa Lahat Bon Voyage 1959 Prinsesa Naranja Rolling Rockers Duke de Borgoña Eva Dragon Hawaiian Boy Ronnie Tough Guy Big Time Berto (cameo) Pitong Gatang Anak ng Bulkan Ramon Barva 1960 Gabi ng Lagim (cameo) Markado Rancho Grande Lo Waist Gang Joins the Armed Forces Walang daigdig Materiales Fuertes (cameo) Viuda De Ojo Sutlang Bakal True Confessions Sarhento Salcedo 1961 Kilabot sa Barilan Walang Patawad! Tatlong Baraha Sandata at Pangako Sakristan Mayor Dakilang 9 Baril sa Baril Apollo Robles Ikaw o Ako! Pasong Diablo Hinahamon Kita... Matapang sa Matapang 1962 Walang Pagkalupig Hari sa Barilan Suicide Commandoes Mga Tigreng Taga-Bukid 4 Valientes Mapusok Na Paghihiganti Batang Maynila Ako ang Katarungan Albano Brothers Leon Marahas Pagtutuos ng Mga Kilabot Masikip ang Daigdig 1963 The Big Show (cameo) Callejon 11 Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Mata Fandong Asintado Fando Ito ang Maynila Limang Kidlat Los Palikeros Tahimik, Ngunit.... Mapanganib Magnong Mandurukot Magno Kung Hindi Ka Susuko Angkan ng Matatapang Bilis ng Kamay! Sierra Madre Sigaw ng Digmaan 12 Kuba 1964 Intramuros Mano-Mano Maskarados Geron Busabos: Ang Batang Quiapo (cameo) Daniel Barrion Walang Hanggan! Baril Na Ginto Orlando Romano Saan Mang Sulok ng Daigdig Kumander Fidela 9 Laban sa Lahat 1965 Hanggang May Kalaban Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw Roman Sa Bawa't Hakbang... Panganib! Sanchez Tierra Verde Pilipinas Kong Mahal Ang Salarin Ang Mananandata Maginoong Tulisan Only the Brave Know Hell Sgt. Rubinio Gaudiel Tatak Barbaro Anghel sa Aking Balikat 1966 Dakilang Balatkayo Ang Haragan Let's Do the Freddie (cameo) San Bernardo Zamboanga Franco Maderro Franco MaderroSarhento Aguila at ang 9 Na Magigiting’’ Baril sa Aking Kamay Diegong Akyat Lupong Balisong Hanggang May Buhay 1967 Dugo sa Buhangin Ex-Convict Mga Alabok sa Lupa Langit at Lupa Matimbang ang Dugo sa Tubig Nando Roman Montalan ...At Sila'y Dumating Alamat ng 7 Kilabot 1968 Alyas 1-2-3 Baril at Rosaryo 3 Hari Tanging Ikaw! To Susan with Love Sorrento Ang Pagbabalik ni Daniel Barrion Magpakailanman Ang Mangliligpit Dos Por Dos Ang Dayuhan Barbaro Cristobal 1969 Ginintuang Kamay Nardong Kutsero 14 Fando Batang Matadero Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin Efren 1970 Tierra... Sangre... Divina Gracia Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit (cameo) Santiago! Gonzalo 1971 Digmaan ng Mga Angkan Dampot Pukol Salo Asedillo Teodoro Asedillo Fastbreak Ang Kampana sa Santa Quiteria Alas, Hari at Sota 1972 Santo Domingo Ang Alamat Salaginto't Salagubang Magiting at Pusakal 1973 Esteban Dugo ng Bayan Ang Agila at ang Araw Sto. Cristo Karnabal 1974 Batya't Palu-Palo Ang Pangalan "Mediavillo" Sanctuario Happy Days Are Here Again 1975 Hotdog: Unang Kagat (cameo) Alupihang Dagat Gomer Pagbabalik ng Lawin Anino ng Araw Regidor Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa (third segment) Tatak ng Alipin Aurelio 1976 Ang Leon at ang Daga Alakdang Gubat Bato sa Buhangin Rafael "Paeng" Longalong Andalucia Father Eliseo 1977 Nagbabagang Asero Maru Tutubing Kalabaw, Tutubing Karayom Totoy Bato Totoy Bato Bontoc Charles Limawin Tundo: Isla Puting-Bato Hernan "Nanding" S. Perez Little Christmas Tree 1978 Ang Lalaki... Ang Alamat... Ang Baril Kumander Ulupong Kumander Ulupong Patayin si... Mediavillo Mediavillo Mga Mata ni Angelita Conrado, the ex-convict King Tatak ng Tundo Berting 1979 Isa Para sa Lahat, Lahat Para sa Isa ...At Muling Nagbaga ang Lupa Angelita... Ako ang Iyong Ina Conrado Mahal...Saan Ka Nanggaling Kagabi? Durugin si Totoy Bato Totoy Bato Mahal... Ginagabi Ka Na Naman Ang Lihim ng Guadalupe 1980 Boy Negro Ang Agila at ang Falcon Aguila Gen. Daniel T. Aguila Ang Leon at ang Kuting Kalibre .45 Ang Panday Flavio / Panday 1981 Iskorokotoy Ang Maestro Hernan de Zuñiga Bandido sa Sapang Bato Sierra Madre Sambahin ang Ngalan Mo Crisanto Pagbabalik ng Panday Flavio / Panday 1982 Pepeng Kaliwete Pepeng Kaliwete Manedyer...Si Kumander Gener Daniel Bartolo ng Sapang Bato Daniel Bartolo Ang Panday: Ikatlong Yugto Flavio / Panday 1983 Brando Bandido (cameo) Roman Rapido Roman Rapido Kapag Buhay ang Inutang Mario Magtanggol Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin Ko! Delfin Prado Isang Bala Ka Lang! Berting Rodriguez 1984 Sigaw ng Katarungan Alfredo Javier Daang Hari Ang Padrino Emong Sanchez Ang Panday IV: Ika-Apat Na Aklat Flavio / Panday 1985 Isa-Isa Lang! Carding Briñas Partida Ben Serrano 1986 Iyo ang Tondo Kanya ang Cavite Crisanto Muslim .357 1st Lt. Jamal Razul Batang Quiapo Baldomero "Baldo" Dimaguiba 1987 Kapag Lumaban ang Api Julio Batas sa Aking Kamay Kamao No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander Gener Kapag Puno Na ang Salop P/Sgt. Isagani Guerrero 1988 Ang Anino ni Asedillo Teodoro Asedillo ("special appearance") One Day, Isang Araw Pastor Sheman: Mistress of the Universe (uncredited cameo) Gawa Na ang Bala Na Papatay sa Iyo David Villafuerte Agila ng Maynila Mauro Reyes 1989 Wanted: Pamilya Banal Victor Banal Ako ang Huhusga P/Sgt. Isagani Guerrero 1990 Kahit Konting Pagtingin Delfin Maniego Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan ng Araw: Kapag Puno Na ang Salop Part-III P/Lt. Isagani Guerrero May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi Nanding 1991 Batas ng .45 P/Cpt. Celso Magsalin Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway Armando "Mando" Guevarra 1992 Dito sa Pitong Gatang Chairman Berting Cayabyab Isang Bala Ka Lang... Part-II Berting Rodriguez Lakay P/Col. Juanito Lagasca 1994 Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban Carding Villamar Epimaco Velasco: NBI Atty. Epimaco Velasco Walang Matigas Na Tinapay sa Mainit Na Kape Mike Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko Flavio / Panday 1995 Minsan Pa: Kahit Konting Pagtingin Part 2 Delfin Maniego Kahit Butas ng Karayom, Papasukin Ko Sgt. Daniel Torres Ang Syota Kong Balikbayan Nanding 1996 Hagedorn Edward Hagedorn Ikaw ang Mahal Ko Pilo Ang Probinsyano PLt. Kardo de Leon and PCpt. Ador de Leon 1997 Eseng ng Tondo P/Lt. Eusebio "Eseng" Natividad 1998 Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano P/Lt. Kardo de Leon 1999 Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... Badong Rivera 2000 Ang Dalubhasa Maj. Jaime "Jimmy" de Guzman, M.D. 2001 Ayos Na... ang Kasunod Ramon Trinidad 2002 Batas ng Lansangan Maj. Ruben Medrano Ang Alamat ng Lawin Lawin 2003 Pakners (Last movie appearance) Nanding Escalante

I Kamao is Poe's only film produced specifically for television, premiering on RPN in June 1987.

Accolades

Awards and nominations FAMAS Awards Year Category Nominated Work(s) Result Ref(s): 1959 Best Actor Laban sa Lahat 1961 Walang Daigdig 1963 Walang Pagkalupig Ako ang Katarungan 1964 Sigaw ng Digmaan 1966 Pilipinas Kong Mahal 1968 Mga Alabok Sa Lupa 1969 Barbaro Cristobal 1971 Best Story Mga Anghel na Walang Langit Best Actor Santiago! 1972 Asedillo 1973 Ang Alamat 1976 Best Director Alupihang Dagat 1980 Best Actor Durugin si Totoy Bato 1982 Ang Maestro 1983 Best Director Ang Panday: Ikatlong Yugto Best Actor Ang Panday: Ikatlong Yugto 1984 Best Director Umpisahan mo... Tatapusin ko! Best Actor Umpisahan mo... Tatapusin ko! 1985 Sigaw ng Katarungan Best Director Ang Padrino Best Screenplay Ang Padrino 1986 Best Actor The Lethal Hunt 1987Muslim .357 Best Director 1988 FAMAS Hall of Fame Actor 1990 Best Director Ako...Ang Huhusga 1992 Batas .45 1996 Kahit Butas ng Karayom 1997 FAMAS Presidential Award 1999 Best Director Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano 2000 Lifetime Achievement Award 2003 Best Actor Batang Lansangan Best Director

FAP Awards Year Category Nominated Work(s) Result Ref(s):1984 Best Actor Umpisahan mo... Tatapusin ko! 1987 Muslim .357 1996 Kahit Butas ng Karayom 1998 Best Director Eseng ng Tondo Best Actor

Cinemanila International Film Festival YearCategory Result Ref:2000 Lifetime Achievement Award

Gawad Urian Awards Year Category ResultRef: 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award

2002 Metro Manila Film Festival Year Category Nominated Work(s) Result Ref:2002 Best Actor Ang Alamat ng Lawin

Cinema One Digital Film Festivals Year Category ResultRef:2009 Cinema One Legend Award(Posthumously)