Ronald Allan Kelley Poe[1] 

(August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004), better known

as Fernando Poe Jr. and colloquially known as FPJ, Ronwaldo Reyes and Da King,
was a Filipino actor, director and politician. His long career as an action film star earned
him the nickname "King of Philippine Movies" (often shortened to Da King). During the
latter part of his career, Poe was defeated by then-President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo in the fraudulent 2004 Philippine presidential election.
Poe was posthumously declared a National Artist of the Philippines for Film on May 23,
2006 by Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The award was confirmed by
Former President Benigno Aquino III on July 20, 2012, and was presented to his family
on August 16.[2]
Fernando Poe, Jr., (Ronald Allan Kelley Poe), Filipino actor and politician (born Aug.
20, 1939, San Carlos City, Phil.—died Dec. 14, 2004, Manila, Phil.), starred in nearly
300 films in his 46-year career as the Philippines’ premier action star and earned the
nickname “Da King” for his portrayal of rugged underdog heroes. Despite his lack of
political experience, he emerged as the main opposition candidate in the 2004
presidential elections, but he lost to incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo by 3.5% of the
popular vote.
EARLY LIFE
Poe was the son of Filipino actor Fernando Poe Sr. (born Allan Fernando Poe y Reyes),
a native from San Carlos, Pangasinan and Elizabeth "Bessie" Kelley, an Irish
American mestiza. He was born in Manila on August 20, 1939.
His parents were not legally married when he was born, they were later married in 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 and it from his brother Andy (born Fernando Poe
II), whose given name Poe used 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.
Pou is the original spelling of the family's surname from his paternal grandfather,
playwright Lorenzo Pou, a Catalan migrant from Majorca, Spain, who ventured into
mining and business in the Philippines.
EDUCATION
In 1953, Poe finished his primary education at San Beda College, Lepanto. For high
school, he went to San Sebastian College. He continued his education at Mapua
Institute of Technology and University of the East and took the course theater arts.
When his father died from rabies at age 35, Poe became the family's breadwinner. In
order to support his family, he dropped out of school Of Mechanical Engineering.
ACTING 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.[3] Starting as a stuntman for Everlasting
Pictures, he was given a 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,[3] and the film was such a big hit that low-waist pants became a fad.
Also known 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. 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. Among the movies 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).
In 1988, Poe partnered with San Miguel Corporation in a near ₱27 million promotional
deal for San Miguel Beer.[4]
Among his roles were Flavio in the mythical 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.
PRESEDENTIAL 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.[5]
PERSONAL LIFE
Poe married actress Susan Roces (real name: 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 also partnered with
Anna Marin and had one son, Ronian and with former actress Rowena Moran and had
a daughter, Lourdes Virginia.
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.[1][6]

Death and legacy[edit]

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.[7] 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.[8] He died at the age of 65 on December
14 at 12:01 am, without regaining consciousness.[8]
Organizers of the nine-day wake claimed numbers as high as two million.[9] The funeral
procession drew tens of thousands who crowded the streets of Quezon City, an event
that was reminiscent of the funeral processions of Ninoy Aquino in 1983 and matinee
idol Julie Vega in 1985. He was buried in his family plot along with his father and mother
in 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, with widow Susan Roces and
daughter Grace Poe attending the unveiling.