BIOGRAPHY

Joseph Estrada was born on April 19, 1937, in Tondo, Manila, into a large family of nine siblings. He rose to fame as a beloved actor portraying working-class heroes, which earned him the nickname “Erap” and helped shape his image as a man of the people.

Despite leaving school early, Estrada pursued a career in entertainment before entering politics. He married Luisa Pimentel-Estrada and has eleven children, including Jinggoy and JV Estrada. Elected President in 1998, he focused on fighting corruption and uplifting the poor. Although his presidency ended in 2001 amid political turmoil, Estrada remains an influential figure in Philippine politics and popular culture.