The Comeback - "...His last movie in 1989, after an eight-year lull, was seen as part of a campaign to stage a political comeback. He'd been unseated in 1986 after serving 16 years as municipal mayor, when the late dictator and his political patron Ferdinand Marcos fled into exile and Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency. Estrada was elected to the Senate in 1987, then vice-president in May 1992 and finally in May 1998 was elected the 13th president of the Philippines. His popularity as an actor is said to have contributed to him winning the largest majority vote in election history. Political pundits say Estrada still believes himself to be a hero in a real-life movie that is reaching its dramatic crescendo with his stepping down as president in January amid a wave of people power..." - Kirsty Alfredson, Rufi Vigilar (READ MORE)
Best Actor "...At first, Joseph wanted to become an engineer just like his hardworking dad. But his restless nature, coupled with his growing interest in acting, brought him to the world of showbiz. He first studied at the Ateneo de Manila University, but he was expelled after picking up a fight with a fellow student. He transferred to Mapua Institute of Technology, but he did not finish his engineering degree. In 1957, he went against the wishes of his parents and started appearing in movies as an "extra." He quit schooling, pursued acting, and adopted the surname "Estrada." His father forbade him to use "Ejercito" in his screen name. For his first name, "Erap" the backward spelling of "pare," which means buddy or friend in English became his friends' and fans' preferred nickname for Joseph. In the 1960s, Erap did about 90 films and that's like having a movie shown almost every month. But it was in Asiong Salonga and Geron Busabos where he was embraced by the masses as their hero. Erap's movies were notorious for themes inspired by Robin Hood, an anti-hero who becomes a hero himself through his fierce yet understated qualities...
His showbiz career spanned 32 years, and Joseph starred in more than a hundred movies, which include Ito Ang Pilipino, Blacksheep Gang, Cuatro Cantos, Lo Waist Gang, Kandilang Bakal, Sa Baril Mag-Uusap, Moises Padilla Story, Tondo Boy, and Markang Rehas, among many others.
And he was good at his craft. In fact, he was the first FAMAS Hall of Fame awardee for Best Actor (1981), and he also became a Hall of Fame Award winner as a producer (1983).
Moreover, he was also considered as one of the early purveyors of independent filmmaking through JE Productions and EMAR Pictures, his own film outfits. ..." - Bong Godinez (READ MORE)
Farming and Retirements "...Vegetable patches cover a portion of one of several hills in the farm. A tractor levels a winding road below leading to the resthouse. A solitary horse, a gift from Ronnie Poe, Joseph's kumpare, nibbles the grass. The farm was originally 24 hectares, but three hectares of it was eaten up by the national highway which, incidentally, made the dirving to Tanay smooth, pleasant and fast. Joseph says the resthouse is temporary, which explains its light structure, mostly wood. he plans to build a permanent "hideaway" on the next hill, the highest site in the farm. But when is he retiring? "Its still a long way, perhaps 10 years from now. I still have a few things to do, to accomplish. Besides I like to think I'm still too young to consider retirement," smiles Joseph who, but for thickening of the waistline, has the looks and traits of a young man: smooth skin, quick and easy movements...If and when he finally settles down to his Tanay farm, would he give up politics and movies entirely? "I guess I would. Aside from small-time farming, I'll branch out to another business, construction. In fact, I've started setting up a construction frim. I also plan to put up a piggery, and raise some cattle. I just can't do it right now as there's no efficient water system yet in this farm." Joseph says that in a few years, the seedings he planted will, hopefully, grow firm and tall and bear fruits. A few months ago they harvested corn and some vegetables. "Nothing much really, strictly for own consumption," he says..." - Ronald K. Constantino (READ MORE)
Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada (born Jose Marcelo Ejercito on April 19, 1937) was the 13th President of the Philippines, serving from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency. Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in an acting career spanning 33 years. He used his popularity as an actor to make gains in politics, serving as mayor of San Juan for seventeen years, as Senator for one term, then as Vice President of the Philippines under the administration of President Fidel Ramos. Estrada was elected President in 1998 with a wide margin of votes separating him from the other challengers, and was sworn into the presidency on June 30, 1998. In 2000 he declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and captured its headquarters and other camps. However, allegations of corruption spawned an impeachment trial in the Senate, and in 2001 Estrada was ousted by "People Power" 2 after the prosecution walked out of the impeachment court when the Senator Judges voted no in the opening of the second envelope. The EDSA 2 protests resulted from the concerted efforts of political, business, military, and church elites who were displeased by Estrada's policies that included removal of sovereign guarantees on government contracts. In October 2000, the Daily Tribune reported about elite plans to "'constitutionally' oust President Estrada under 'Oplan Excelsis." Emil Jurado of the Manila Standard reported as early as 1999 about a PR demolition work designed to embarrass Estrada "by attributing to his administration all sorts of perceived faults and scams with the end in view of covering up anomalies and scams also committed during the Ramos administration." Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo also admitted in an interview with Nick Joaquin that he and then-Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and certain military officials plotted plans to oust Estrada in January 2001, with the alternative plan B being violent "with orders to shoot. And not only in Metro Manila." In 2007, he was sentenced by the special division of the Sandiganbayan to reclusion perpetua for plunder, but was later granted pardon by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He ran for president anew in the 2010 Philippine presidential election, but lost to then Senator Benigno Aquino III. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Vilma Santos
Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Vilma Santos did seven films, three of which were an all star cast that didn’t require them to share screen time. The first two films were in 1966, both a smash hit and critically acclaimed, Vi was just a child star then. Their only significant film as mature actor were in a fantasy film in 1974. The last film that featured them was the late Julie Vega starrer that also featured FPJ.
Mga Mata ni Angelita (1978) - "...The story revolves around that of a blind girl named Anghelita who was given the eyes of the Virgin Mary. But having her sight back, she will see what the world really is, filled with pain and sins. So, in search for her long lost mother, she will be instrumental in changing the lives of people along her way..." - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa (1975) - "...A Must for the Filipino History Students and for everyone who wants to awaken the innate nationalism in them. These series of stories depicting the fight of the Filipinos against colonialism of Spain, Japan and even their fellow Filipinos abusing the power in the government. A seemingly serious film but spiced with the star-studded cast like Fernando Poe Jr., Ramon Revilla, Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor, Dante Rivero, Eddie Garcia, Vic Vargas, Goerge Estregan and the other all time favorite artists. This movie even highlighted the comparison between the love of country and the other kind of love we offer to our family and to our beloved as the story featured love stories in the midst of tragic and bloody war happening in our society..." - Kabayan Central (READ MORE)
KIng Khayam and I (1974) - "...The film started promising with funny scenes of Joseph Estrada facing his people seeking his advice or help. One was when a man presented his new product, a flying magic carpet but when the carpet didnt fly, Estrada suggested a lighter weight rider. Then veteran actress and much younger, Mary Walter in a cameo role, brought her just bought magic lamp. She complained to the king that the seller fooled her to buy the lamp and wanted a refund. She then caress the lamp and the gennie came out but instead of the expected giant gennie, a midget dwarf came out. Then from this moment the film went downhill. A singing bird, a transexual Ike Lozada being auctioned, Rod Navarro’s over the top villain antics, all failed to sustained our attention. The weak storyline did not help. Patterned with the Hollywood film, King Kayam & I’s only saving grace was the acting of its lead stars. Joseph Estrada’s precense was commanding and convincing as the playboy king and Vilma’s charming innocense despite the sexy dance number at the end complimented Joseph’s macho image..." - RV (READ MORE)
De Colores (1968) - "...An all-star cast flick with such superstars as Joseph Estrada, Amalia Fuentes, and Gloria Romero. Despite multiple episodic stories of this movie about the “cult” “religious” revival among the elite Catholics, Vilma was in a forgettable episode. I wasn’t sure if she played a rebellious daughter turned good via the Cursillo, and whether she shared scenes with Ms. Romero. What mattered was that she bumped into her Tita Gloria on the set..." - Mario O. Garces (READ MORE)
Ito ang Pilipino (1966) - "...In 1966, Estrada was “just” an actor portraying a bandit fighting the Spaniards, led by Eddie Garcia. Directed by Cesar “Chat” Gallardo, an important scene in the film featured the late Vic Silayan telling the young Estrada that he would be the country’s next president-to which, Estrada’s character answered in disbelief, saying it was impossible, because he could neither read nor write! Prophetically, the historical film presaged the actor’s political career. Who would have known that he’d become the 13th president of the Philippines?! At the screening, Estrada’s leading lady, Barbara Perez, who was first seen in 195’6′s “Chabacano,” was in the audience to watch the “lost” film revived by the Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA). The actress shares: “Back then, I kept getting in and out show biz, especially when I had to give birth!..." - Rica Arevalo (READ MORE)
Batang Iwahig (1966) - "...Joseph Estrada was at his best appearing in ‘tough guy’ roles after striking it big as “Asiong Salonga” in 1961. He was rough and mean in movies like North Harbor (1961), Pulong Diablo (1963), Basagulero (1963); Geron Busabos: Ang Batang Quiapo (1964); Batang Angustia (1965); Batang Iwahig (1966) and many more where he essayed the role of a ‘kanto boy.’ However in the 70s and 80s, Estrada chose to do light-comedy films (remember the Tatay na si Erap series, Erap is my Guy, Mamang Sorbetero, among others) and more of a Dirty Harry type of movies, where he portrayed a determined and dedicated law enforcer. He did quite a number of these movies starting with Kill the Pushers in 1972 and so on with Panic (1973), Ranson (1974), among others..." - Simon Santos (READ MORE)
