A National Artist, an award-winning actor and producer, an action superstar: these are just some of the ways to describe Fernando Poe Jr or FPJ. Having done over 200 movies, who can deny that FPJ showed off his acting chops. However it is not only his acting skills, which made him an icon. We list down some of the traits that made him Da King.
1. Iconic pose and get up.
Solid tone button-down shirts and pants are what FPJ often wears in his movies. However, there is one iconic get-up that you can easily identify as FPJ, white button down shirt, straight cut pants, and a jacket. Top that with his iconic pose, hands down with both thumbs in the side pockets of the jeans, and who can deny that FPJ can turn something simple into something memorable.
2. Cool and calm demeanor.
The King of Filipino movies is known for his action films. But unlike other action stars who portrays anger in their scenes with raised voices, FPJ speaks in a calm voice, even on the action scenes, and shows his anger through his eyes. As FPJ did say” isang bala ka lang.”
3. A real gentleman is what he is.
Most of the characters which FPJ portrayed were defender of the poor and the oppressed. However, it is not only onscreen that FPJ had this persona. From his many co-stars and even film crew, they all swear how kind and real he is.
4. Romance is another game he plays.
From young actresses (Helen Gamboa, Tetchie Agbayani, Alice Dixson, Ina Raymundo, etc ) to beauty queens (Dindi Gallardo, Amanda Page. Anjanette Abayari), these women were flattered to play opposite Da King, Of course, he starred most in his films with wife Susan Roces. With all his beautiful leading ladies, it is no wonder that the action star knows how to create chemistry and make us go kilig.
5. He also knows how to do comedy.
His last film, Pakners, was a comedy with Efren Bata Reyes. But, even before that he did other comedy movies such as Alyas 1,2,3 and isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko. He also directed comedy film Fastbreak, which starred Robert Jaworski and Freddie Webb.
6. He started out small.
Even though his father, Fernando Poe Sr., was a producer and actor, FPJ first started in the entertainment industry as a messenger boy, bit player, and stuntman. At the early age of 12, FPJ had to drop out of school and began his career in showbiz. He had to work so as to support his family because his father had died. His first starring role was in a sequel, Anak ni Palaris, which he was released when he was just 16 years old.
7. He’s also a producer and director.
In 1961, when FPJ was making a name for himself in the entertainment industry, he launched FPJ Productions. From there, he started to make movies which starred him and other actors. He also directed films, sometimes using different pseudonyms such as D’ Lanor and Ronwaldo Reyes.
FPJ is definitely one legendary icon in Philippine cinema we will revere forever. His lasting legacy and influence is quite evident in the continuing success of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, which has been the nation’s top rating TV show for the past three years airing weeknights after TV Patrol. And that is the most compelling reason why he is Da King!