The National Artists of the Philippines

Ronald Allan K. Poe was a *cultural icon of tremendous audience impact and cinema artist and craftsman--as actor, director, writer and producer.

The image of the underdog was projected in his films such as Apollo Robles (1961), Batang Maynila (1962), Mga Alabok sa Lupa (1967), Batang Matador and Batang Estibador (1969), Ako ang Katarungan (1974), Tatak ng Alipin (1975), Totoy Bato (1977), Asedillo (1981), Partida (1985), and Ang Probisyano (1996), among many others. The mythical hero, on the other hand, was highlighted in Ang Alamat (1972), Ang Pagbabalik ng Lawin (1975) including his Panday series (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984) and the action adventure films adapted from komiks materials such as Ang Kampana sa Santa Quiteria (1971), Santo Domingo (1972), and Alupihang Dagat (1975), among others.

Poe was born in Manila on August 20, 1939. After the death of his father, he dropped out of the University of the East in his sophomore year to support his family. He was the second of six siblings. He married actress Susan Roces in a civil ceremony in December 1968.

He died on December 14, 2004

*(from the citation)

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