Happy birthday, Papa Ronnie!

To all my readers, please allow me to dedicate my column this Sunday to Papa Ronnie, my maternal grandfather, who is loved by many as “FPJ.”

Happy birthday, Papa Ronnie!

On Tuesday (Aug. 20), he would have turned 85. Instead, Papa Ronnie passed on almost 20 years ago at the relatively young age of 65. He lived an extraordinary life. It helped that, by his words and deeds, he exuded an intense and infectious aura of hope. Also, he extolled immense belief in Filipinos.

FPJ always believed that the ordinary Filipino could make a difference.

He demonstrated his unbreakable belief across his films. In “Muslim Magnum .357,” he took on the role of a Muslim undercover police officer who bravely took on a violent criminal syndicate. In the fantasy film “Panday,” he played Flavio, a blacksmith, who led the people in their struggle for freedom against a tyrant. In the original “Ang Probinsyano,” he depicted policeman Cardo’s pursuit of justice against the murderer of his brother, corrupt public servants and drug syndicates. Papa Ronnie exhibited the heroism of the common Filipino overcoming insurmountable odds.

Papa Ronnie himself had come from humble beginnings. He dropped out of school to support his family when his father passed away at the very young age of 34. Starting as a messenger boy, he transitioned to being a stuntman with hopes of following his father’s footsteps as an actor. Even when he starred in his first action movie, it was no big hit. It would take much more for Papa Ronnie to become “Da King.”

FPJ also strongly believed in bayanihan, with a particular emphasis on helping the Filipino poor, disadvantaged and the vulnerable.

Papa Ronnie, for instance, always helped in relief operations across the country. Respecting his tradition of public service, we built FPJ Panday Bayanihan in the face of Severe Tropical Storm Typhoon Maring in August 2013. It allowed us to extend aid to those who need it the most, such as disaster-stricken indigents, displaced workers, drivers, farmers and fishermen. Already on our 11th year through hundreds of typhoons and other kinds of disasters, it is a privilege and honor to work with many like-minded Filipinos in keeping Papa Ronnie’s people-centric spirit alive.

FPJ further believed that poverty was the “greatest scandal in our history.”

Papa Ronnie’s words echoed in my mind during the Senate committee on finance-led budget deliberations that started just this past week. In one of the hearings, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported that the Philippines’ poverty rate had significantly improved since it had now returned to pre-pandemic levels at 10.9 percent. NEDA said that almost 2.5 million Filipinos have risen above the poverty line since 2021, and that 1.7 million were no longer “food poor.” Upon Senate scrutiny, NEDA explained that our government does not consider an individual “food poor” if he or she has a budget of P 64.00 for all three meals in a day.

Senator Grace Poe, relatedly, could also not be blamed in speaking truth to power when she asserted: “When you compute poverty threshold using an old number which is obviously not workable anymore, P20 per meal, hindi totoo ‘yung poverty forecast.”

Papa Ronnie had struggled against poverty himself. He recognized that his experience of success was the exception rather than the rule. Poverty was a prevalent theme in his works where he was unafraid to show how it could break families, harm children, fester crime and rob people of human dignity. He also exposed how, instead of the rule of law, he witnessed lawlessness being rewarded. It was one of the paradoxes that persistently disturbed him all his life, which he sought to reconcile with his philanthropy and profession, and which became a critical consideration in his decision to eventually run for president.

FPJ knew that good governance could, as our Constitution commands, “free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living and an improved quality of life for all.” Papa Ronnie taught us that good governance requires community, sincerity, honesty, hard work and also truth. As a silver lining, our vigilance on the national budget has already generated public participation, honesty in governance and groundwork for positive change.

Papa Ronnie wanted and worked for happiness and success for the Filipino people. He hoped the Philippines would reach historic heights against poverty and inspire us Filipinos to believe in ourselves. Twenty years since his passing, I am glad to say that I have encountered many Filipinos from all walks of life who share Papa Ronnie’s dream. I know now that I am not alone, and that FPJ’s dreams live on.

In this time of complex challenges confronting our nation on all fronts, I miss Papa Ronnie. If FPJ were still alive today, his love for the ordinary Filipino would undoubtedly inspire us to be better. We are blessed that his extraordinary life of selflessness, sincerity and compassion continue to light our way, so we could move forward from poverty to prosperity.

Happy birthday, Papa Ronnie!