Post by MARJ on Dec 14, 2004 0:33:53 GMT -5
Tuesday December 14, 8:16 AM
Fernando Poe Jr., Filipino actor turned politician worshipped by millions of poor Filipinos, dies at 65
Fernando Poe Jr., "Da King" of Philippine cinema who rallied millions of fans in a daring bid for the presidency earlier this year, died Tuesday after suffering a stroke and slipping into a coma, his doctor said. He was 65.
Poe had complained of dizziness while dining with friends and employees at his suburban Manila film studio. He was brought late Saturday to St. Luke's Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a blood clot in his brain, and he later fell into a coma, his neurologist, Abdias Aquino, told reporters. He died at the hospital early Tuesday.
Poe was a hero to millions of poor Filipinos who embraced the fast-punching, straight-shooting underdog hero he typically played in more than 200 action films. He also played true-to-life heroes, including decorated policemen, and appeared in several World War II movies as a soldier or guerrilla fighting Japanese invaders.
A five-time winner in the local version of the Oscars, one of his most memorable roles was a true story _ a teacher who became a rebel leader fighting greedy landlords and bureaucrats in the 1920s, when the Philippines was still an American colony.
In his last movie, released in May, he was the buddy of a billiards player portrayed by real-life Filipino pool champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.
Poe, better known as "Da King" or simply FPJ, started appearing in movies in his teens and never held public office. He had come under pressure from politicians, especially supporters of his close friend and another ex-actor, ousted President Joseph Estrada, to capitalize on his popularity and seek the presidency in the May 10 election.
"In the life of man, there comes a time that he will have to make a very tough decision. And that day has come for me," Poe declared while announcing his candidacy. He said he hoped to unite the divided nation because "I am not a politician."
Despite support from the poor, who overwhelmingly voted for Estrada in 1998, Poe couldn't deliver.
His rallies were colorful, flashy and glitzy, with celebrity friends telling jokes and Poe uttering a few lines from his movies. But they were devoid of political substance as Poe, a high school dropout and political novice, struggled to challenge the tough-minded, hands-on incumbent, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He stonewalled requests for interviews and grew increasingly surly with the media, once berating a reporter during a live broadcast while he was on stage.
Poe was born to an American mother and a father whose forebears were Spanish. His blood became a subject of a petition questioning his Filipino citizenship and eligibility for the presidency. He fought it off, but it also caused damage.
Poe lost the election by 1.1 million votes. Two months later, he asked the Supreme Court to nullify Arroyo's victory, accusing the president of massive electoral fraud. Arroyo's camp denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually throw out Poe's protest.
According to Rep. Francis Escudero, his spokesman, the night Poe felt sick he told his childhood friends who sat at the dinner table with him: "I feel good. I came out of the campaign, of the entire experience stronger, a better person."
Fernando Poe Jr., Filipino actor turned politician worshipped by millions of poor Filipinos, dies at 65
Fernando Poe Jr., "Da King" of Philippine cinema who rallied millions of fans in a daring bid for the presidency earlier this year, died Tuesday after suffering a stroke and slipping into a coma, his doctor said. He was 65.
Poe had complained of dizziness while dining with friends and employees at his suburban Manila film studio. He was brought late Saturday to St. Luke's Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a blood clot in his brain, and he later fell into a coma, his neurologist, Abdias Aquino, told reporters. He died at the hospital early Tuesday.
Poe was a hero to millions of poor Filipinos who embraced the fast-punching, straight-shooting underdog hero he typically played in more than 200 action films. He also played true-to-life heroes, including decorated policemen, and appeared in several World War II movies as a soldier or guerrilla fighting Japanese invaders.
A five-time winner in the local version of the Oscars, one of his most memorable roles was a true story _ a teacher who became a rebel leader fighting greedy landlords and bureaucrats in the 1920s, when the Philippines was still an American colony.
In his last movie, released in May, he was the buddy of a billiards player portrayed by real-life Filipino pool champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.
Poe, better known as "Da King" or simply FPJ, started appearing in movies in his teens and never held public office. He had come under pressure from politicians, especially supporters of his close friend and another ex-actor, ousted President Joseph Estrada, to capitalize on his popularity and seek the presidency in the May 10 election.
"In the life of man, there comes a time that he will have to make a very tough decision. And that day has come for me," Poe declared while announcing his candidacy. He said he hoped to unite the divided nation because "I am not a politician."
Despite support from the poor, who overwhelmingly voted for Estrada in 1998, Poe couldn't deliver.
His rallies were colorful, flashy and glitzy, with celebrity friends telling jokes and Poe uttering a few lines from his movies. But they were devoid of political substance as Poe, a high school dropout and political novice, struggled to challenge the tough-minded, hands-on incumbent, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He stonewalled requests for interviews and grew increasingly surly with the media, once berating a reporter during a live broadcast while he was on stage.
Poe was born to an American mother and a father whose forebears were Spanish. His blood became a subject of a petition questioning his Filipino citizenship and eligibility for the presidency. He fought it off, but it also caused damage.
Poe lost the election by 1.1 million votes. Two months later, he asked the Supreme Court to nullify Arroyo's victory, accusing the president of massive electoral fraud. Arroyo's camp denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually throw out Poe's protest.
According to Rep. Francis Escudero, his spokesman, the night Poe felt sick he told his childhood friends who sat at the dinner table with him: "I feel good. I came out of the campaign, of the entire experience stronger, a better person."