My Encounter with Joseph Estrada

The first time I met actor Joseph Estrada—former mayor, senator, vice president, and president of the Philippines—was when I was still in grade school at Aquinas School in San Juan City, Metro Manila. He had a film shoot at the church beside our school.

When he dropped by our classroom, I shook hands with him. We discovered we were both left-handed.

Due to financial difficulties, I was later transferred by my father, also an actor, to San Juan Elementary School. Erap, as he is fondly called, visited our classroom there as well, and we shook hands again. I also visited his office when he was mayor of San Juan.

Born Joseph Marcelo Ejercito in Tondo, Manila, to Engineer Emilio Ejercito and Maria Marcelo, he studied at Ateneo de Manila University and Mapúa Institute of Technology.

A major figure in Philippine cinema, he starred in over 100 films and produced more than 70. He became the first FAMAS Hall of Fame Best Actor awardee in 1981 for Kumander Alibasbas, with earlier wins for Markang Rehas (1962), Geron Busabos (1964), Ang Batang Quiapo (1965), Ito Ang Pilipino (1966), and Patria Adorada (1969). He later entered the Hall of Fame as a producer in 1983.

His roles often portrayed defenders of the downtrodden, resonating strongly with working-class audiences. In Geron Busabos, he played a man who becomes a protector of the weak in Quiapo’s public market, with the film’s realism reflecting the struggles of everyday Filipinos.

Beyond acting, Estrada supported industry workers and underserved communities. In 1974, he founded the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), providing medical assistance, livelihood support, and housing programs.

“It extends financial and professional assistance to industry workers,” he said, referring to its mission to uplift film workers at all levels.

Its educational arm, the Mowelfund Film Institute, has trained generations of filmmakers since 1979. He also co-founded the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1975.

A Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee in public administration, Estrada became mayor of San Juan at age 32 and served for 17 years. When he stepped down, he left ₱23,885,159.06 in municipal savings—an uncommon benchmark in Metro Manila governance.

He prioritized education and public services, improving schools, constructing community facilities, and providing water access in underserved areas. He also relocated about 1,800 informal settler families to Taytay, Rizal, at no cost, and modernized tax assessment systems in the municipality.

During his 75th birthday, Estrada shared his aspiration to serve again as mayor, this time in Manila. Today, as he turns 89 on April 19, now a private citizen, I wish him good health and happiness.

Guesting at NET25 Radyo Agila’s Diskusyon

I first met Ms. Rowena Madumma during her time with Wej Cudiamat’s Wej a Minute on NET25’s Radyo Agila. She is now one of the hosts, alongside Ms. Mona Dagsaan, of Diskusyon, airing Monday to Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on DZEC 1062.

I had an in-depth discussion with Weng and Mona, two versatile broadcasters. More about them will be shared in a future column.

My thanks to Ms. Lalaine of La Visual Corporation.

International Dance Day

Radyo Balintataw host and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Cecile Guidote-Alvarez shared that the International Dance Day celebration will be held on April 29, 2026, in Manila.

The event will gather dance artists, cultural practitioners, communities, and international participants, highlighting dance as a universal language.

Organized by the Philippine Centre of the International Theatre Institute, with support from the ITI General Secretariat, the celebration forms part of a global initiative promoting cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.

The April 29 program will feature performances and exchanges that emphasize dance’s ability to connect people across cultures.

Birthday Greetings