Fernando Poe Jr.

Ronald Allan Kelley Poe was the son of Filipino actor and director Fernando Poe Sr. (born Allan Fernando Poe y Reyes; 1916–1951) from San Carlos, Pangasinan and Elizabeth "Bessie" Kelley (1918–1999). He was born in Manila on August 20, 1939. He was known as "Ronnie" to his family.

His parents, at the time of his birth, were not legally married until 1940. In 2004, Poe's political opponents tried to derail his bid for the 2004 Philippine presidency when they sought to disqualify him as an illegitimate son of a non-Filipino mother.

He was the second among six siblings, including Andy (born Fernando Kelley Poe Jr.; 1943–1995),{{cite news |last=Mangahas |first=Mahar |author-link=Mahar Mangahas |date=March 5, 1999 |title=Bessie Kelley Poe |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PJQVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_QoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4546%2C532041 |access-date=February 6, 2023 |work=Manila Standard |publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp. |page=14 |quote=Like her father Auther (not Arthur which is wrong spelling) who died in his afternoon nap 33 years ago, and like Andy who had a heart attack in 1995, Auntie Bessie departed without warning.}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-philippines/ronald-allan-k-poe/|title=Order of National Artists: Fernando Poe Jr.|first=|last=|work=NCCA|date=|access-date=October 21, 2021}}

Poe dropped out of college to work in the Philippine film industry as a messenger boy, and was given acting roles in subsequent years.{{cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/12/22/OPED2004122224882.html|title=We bid farewell to a good man, movie king Fernando Poe Jr.|access-date=January 15, 2008|date=December 22, 2004|publisher=Manila Bulletin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050813080309/http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/12/22/OPED2004122224882.html|archive-date=August 13, 2005}} 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, and the film was such a hit that low-waist pants became a fad.

Also known as 'FPJ' from his initials, Poe acted in a number of films which depicted him as the champion of the poor and downtrodden. He also directed films under the pseudonyms D'Lanor and Ronwaldo Reyes. Reyes originated from the surname of his paternal grandmother, Martha.

He established FPJ Productions in 1961 and later organized other film companies. In 1963, he testified against criminal gangs, known as the Big Four, who extorted money from the film industry. In 1965, he shared the lead in The Ravagers (in the Philippines this is titled Only the Brave Know Hell), 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.

Poe won the most best actor awards at the FAMAS.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Among the films that received awards were Mga Alabok sa Lupa (1967), Asedillo (1971), Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979), Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin Ko (1983), and Muslim .357 (1986).

Poe was one of the highest paid film actors in the Philippines in the 1980s (alongside Dolphy and Vilma Santos), with his salary reaching over one million pesos per film.{{cite news|last=Arevalo|first=Ike|title=Brighter times for moviepeople with bigger grosses at the till|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19881127&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|access-date=June 20, 2020|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Manila Standard News, Inc.|date=November 27, 1988|page=22}} In 1988, Poe partnered with San Miguel Corporation in a near {{Philippine Peso|27 million}} promotional deal for San Miguel Beer,{{cite news|last=Feria|first=Mike|title=1988: The year the Dragon slept|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19890105&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|access-date=1 February 2019|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Manila Standard News, Inc.|date=January 5, 1988|page=14}} his first endorsement of a product in his entire film career, with the first television commercial airing on January 20.{{cite news|title=FPJ in Beer Commercial|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19880122&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|access-date=June 5, 2021|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Standard Publications, Inc.|date=January 22, 1988|page=10|quote=The San Miguel 30-seconder launched Jan.20 [sic] marks the first stint for FPJ to endorse a product in his more than 30 years in moviemaking.}}

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.{{cite news|title='Kung Kailangan Mo Ako' opens Viva's mid-year blitz|work=Manila Bulletin|date=June 4, 1993|page=HC-2|quote=Fernando Po [sic], Jr., lends prestige anew to the Viva banner with 'Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib' another romantic action comedy directed by Pablo Santiago and also starring Alice Dixon [sic].}}

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.

{{Main|Fernando Poe Jr. 2004 presidential campaign}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl019513.htm|title=Poe accepted nomination as main opposition candidate vs. Arroyo for 2004|access-date=January 16, 2008|date=December 23, 2003|publisher=Newsflash.org|archive-date=December 14, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041214011436/http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl019513.htm|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=237667|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131122800/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=237667|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Love child may boost FPJ bid, says think-tank|access-date=December 14, 2011|date=February 5, 2004|publisher=Philstar.com}} 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.

File:Tomb of Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces in November 1, 2022 (57680).jpg at the Manila North Cemetery]]

File:FPJ Studios (Del Monte, Quezon City; 05-26-2022).jpg

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/14/international/asia/14poe.html?fta=y|title=Fernando Poe Jr., 65, Philippine Actor-Politician, Dies|access-date=January 16, 2008|date=September 27, 2020|work=The New York Times}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.pep.ph/top/14107/Shocking-showbiz-deaths:-so-sudden,-so-soon|title=Shocking showbiz deaths: so sudden, so soon|date=October 31, 2007|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213194204/http://www.pep.ph/top/14107/Shocking-showbiz-deaths%3A-so-sudden%2C-so-soon|archive-date=December 13, 2007}} He died at the age of 65 on December 14 at 12:01 am PHT (UTC+08:00), without regaining consciousness. His remains were initially transferred to the Arlington East Memorial Chapels in Pasig (now known as the Evergreen Memorial Chapels), before being transferred a day later to the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.{{cite web|url=https://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/14646/remembering-da-king-of-pinoy-cinema?s=riddi79rvn83qmg6ugemioaog6|title=Remembering Da King of Pinoy Cinema|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) |date=7 December 2007 |access-date=2 September 2024 |quote=He was brought to Arlington Funeral Homes in Pasig City on the same day. His widow Susan Roces hoped to have private time at the funeral home but hundreds of people had already lined up to pay their respects. Poe was subsequently transferred to St. Domingo Church in Quezon City. People followed in droves. Within two hours, police estimated at least 5,000 people had come to see the King of Philippine Cinema for the last time.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBRNAw_JGtE |title=24 ORAS: Mike Enriquez's remarks on FPJ |website=youtube.com |date=September 2, 2024 |access-date=2 September 2024 }} Organizers of the nine-day wake claimed numbers as high as two million.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl101500.htm|title=MASSIVE SECURITY FOR FPJ BURIAL|work=Philippine Headline News Online|date=October 5, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050118223645/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl101500.htm|archive-date=January 18, 2005}} 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.

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.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-12-14 |title=FPJ monument unveiled in Manila, 8 years after death |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/content/286391/fpj-monument-unveiled-in-manila-8-years-after-death/story/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}

On January 13, 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11608, renaming Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City as Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue.{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1540037/sen-poe-grateful-humbled-for-fpj-avenue|title=Grace Poe grateful, humbled for FPJ Avenue|first=Daniza|last=Fernandez|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=January 13, 2022|access-date=January 13, 2022}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/8/20/lrt1-fernando-poe-jr-station.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820103338/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/8/20/lrt1-fernando-poe-jr-station.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2023|title=LRT-1 Roosevelt station renamed after Fernando Poe Jr.|first=Xianne|last=Arcangel|work=CNN Philippines|date=August 20, 2023|access-date=August 20, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Argosino|first=Faith|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1819286/new-sports-arena-named-after-fpj-opens-in-batangas|title=New sports arena named after FPJ opens in Batangas|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=August 20, 2023|access-date=August 21, 2023}}

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.{{cite news |last=Uy |first=Jerald |date=February 3, 2013 |title='Sanggol': The story of Grace Poe |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/20950-sanggol-the-story-of-grace-poe/ |accessdate=May 8, 2024 |website=Rappler}} 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.

Smith, Chuck. (May 18, 2015) [http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/05/18/1456145/coco-martin-stars-tv-remake-fpj-movie Coco Martin stars in TV remake of FPJ movie|Entertainment, News, The Philippine Star]. philstar.com. Retrieved on 24 June 2016.[http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/90548-coco-martin-fpj-remake-ang-probinsyano Coco Martin to star in TV remake of FPJ film ‘Ang Probinsyano’]. Rappler.com (May 18, 2015). Retrieved on June 24, 2016.

The FPJ Film Archives has been inscribed in the National Memory of the World Register of the Philippines.{{cite web | url=https://www.unesco.gov.ph/2025/04/philippine-documentary-heritage/ | title=[Press Release] Saving the Nation's memory: UNACOM leads the call to safeguard Philippine documentary heritage | date=April 15, 2025 }}

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

{{Complete list|date=January 2024}}

• List of Memory of the World Documentary Heritage in the Philippines
• Fernando Poe Jr. presidential campaign, 2004

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• {{IMDb name}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20031212053203/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/EL11Ae02.html Article about his presidential bid]
• [http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb003525.htm Opinion Article on the man] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204171516/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb003525.htm |date=February 4, 2005 }}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4116719.stm Article and photos on his funeral]
• [http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/latest/15493/Susan-Roces-leads-rites-for-FPJ-death-anniversary GMA NEWS.TV, Susan Roces leads rites for FPJ death anniversary 12/14/2007, 11:30 AM]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170303123611/http://pinoygrats.com/reference/people/celebrities/fernando-poe-jr/ Fernando Poe Jr Bio, Profile, Awards History]

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{{Candidates in the Philippine presidential election, 2004}}

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Category:1939 births

Category:2004 deaths

Category:20th-century Filipino comedians

Category:20th-century Filipino male actors

Category:21st-century Filipino male actors

Category:20th-century philanthropists

Category:Burials at the Manila North Cemetery

Category:Candidates in the 2004 Philippine presidential election

Category:Filipino actor-politicians

Category:Filipino male comedians

Category:Filipino film directors

Category:Filipino male child actors

Category:Filipino male film actors

Category:Filipino philanthropists

Category:Filipino Roman Catholics

Category:Male actors from Manila

Category:Mapúa University alumni

Category:National Artists of the Philippines

Category:People from San Carlos, Pangasinan

Fernando

Category:University of the East alumni

Category:Kapampangan people

Category:Filipino film producers

Category:Male actors from Pangasinan