Erap: I’m done with movies, but not with advocacy vs poverty

Pardoned former President Joseph Estrada, a movie actor prior to his entry into politics, yesterday said he is already retired from making movies.

The former chief executive, one of the few Filipino movie actors who  received the Hall of Fame award, said that he would rather concentrate in his anti-poverty advocacy.

“I already did a movie entitled Tatay na si Erap. I don’t think I would accept a movie with the working title Lolo na si Erap. I gained much weight now. Also, when I became senator, I retired from doing movies. I will dedicate myself now in helping our poor countrymen,” Estrada told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Estrada, who was granted pardon by President Arroyo last Oct. 25, said he can now help poor Filipinos better because he is out of jail.

Last Saturday, Estrada made his first ever public appearance at Vitas, Tondo, Manila, one of the country’s poorest districts, where he vowed to extend assistance to its residents.

His son, Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, promised to give P1 million monetary assistance to the residents.

“I thank all of you for not leaving me through thick and thin,  especially during the trying moments of my life,” Estrada told the crowd.

A brass band welcomed Estrada, with residents of Vitas chanting “Erap, Erap, Erap pa rin!”

“I love all of you. I will not forget you. I will give whatever you want. I am inviting you to come to the office of the Erap Para sa Mahihirap Foundation located at 409 Shaw Boulevard (Mandaluyong City) and apply all your children for scholarship grants,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he is scheduled to visit the poor residents of Parola and Baseco, also in Tondo, Manila; Payatas and West Triangle in Quezon City and Makati this week.

“I will visit all the urban poor areas in the country to thank them for supporting me all the way,” Estrada said.