FPJ & RUDY – After focusing on movie queens, Highspeed now dwells on movie kings. Unlike movie queens, only one actor, Fernando Poe Jr., is associated with the regal title, billed “Da King” since the ‘60s up to his death and even now.
That he was named National Artist, to date the only actor to be so honored, added more prestige to “Da King.”
Rudy Fernandez was called “The Other King,” which the late actor didn’t take THAT seriously, saying in his book there is only one, FPJ. But let it be said that Rudy was also a popular and fine actor, loved and honored.
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BLACK & WHITE – In the ‘30s and ‘40s and up to the early ‘50s, there were Pol Salcedo and Roger de la Rosa, billed Black and White Kings, respectively. It was in reference to the colors of their skins. Pol was from Cavite and Roger from Pampanga.
Also very popular during those decades were Pempe Padilla and Fernando Poe Sr., who was also producer and director. The father of FPJ.
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OTHER TITLES – There were (are) other movie titles, but limited to a certain genre.
Dolphy was longtime Comedy King, the greatest.
Eddie Rodriguez and Dindo Fernando were Drama Kings.
Jess Lapid Sr., and Tony Ferrer were Action Kings.
Ramon Revilla was Agimat King.
Lito lapid was Stunt King.
The big actors who followed them included Bong Revilla, Cesar Montano, Boyet de Leon, Richard Gomez, Tirso Cruz III, Joel Torre, Piolo Pascual, Gabby Concepcion, Aga Muhlach, Albert Martinez, Jay Ilagan, Dante Rivero, Bobby Vazquez, Ric Rodrigo, Mario Montenegro, Eddie Gutierrez, Nestor de Villa, Eddie Garcia, Chiquito, John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Vic Sotto.
