Politics and show business are two fields that are almost always overlap. Several local celebrities have tried their luck in politics and some politicians have been drawn into show business.
While there are showbiz celebrities who're even fortunate enough to get a seat in government, others who lost in the elections continue making movies and TV projects. Sometimes, successful politicians are tapped for cameo roles in movies or television.
How about politicians who are not personally involved in show business but have significant links?
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) notes that contemporary presidents of the Philippines, past and present—Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph "Erap" Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo—have connections in local showbiz through their children.
Here's the list of the presidential children who in various degrees served as links between the highest office and local entertainment.
Imee Marcos. She is the eldest daughter of the deposed late President Ferdinand Marcos. Following the political path of her father, Imee became the representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte in the Philippine House of Representatives in 1998-2007.
Before she entered Congress, Imee's interest was in entertainment. During martial law in the ‘70s, Marcos's children were studying in England. Imee attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts Acting and Playwriting. She also took up acting at the Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in London.
Although the public did not see her practicing what she learned about acting, Imee contributed to the entertainment industry by producing some of the memorable works in movies and television.
In Imee Marcos's capacity as director-general of the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (1981-1986), she co-produced with director Marilou Diaz-Abaya the movie Brutal (1980); with director Peque Gallaga, Scorpio Nights (1985); and with director Tikoy Aguiluz, The Boatman (1984).
Also in the same period, the president's daughter produced remarkable movies like Oro, Plata, Mata (1982), Himala (1982), Misteryos sa Tuwa (1984), and Soltero (1984).
In television, she was part of the two Filipino children's shows that came even before Batibot—these were Kulit Bulilit and Kaluskos Musmos.
After her political career, Imee Marcos is now a private citizen who helps the entertainment industry by supporting the organization called CreaM, a coalition that aims to unite artists in the independent film, animation, and digital-cinema industries.
Kris Aquino. She is the youngest daughter of former President Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr., the famous opposition senator who was assassinated during the Marcos regime in 1983.
Kris stayed with her family in the States while they were in exile during martial law. She started her career show business after Marcos was removed from power and replaced by her mother Cory Aquino.
In the early '90s, Kris made her debut in local showbiz. Her role in the movie Pido Dida (1990), with the late actor-comedian Rene Requiestas, became a big hit and a sequel was immediately done the following year.
A few years later, Kris became known as "Massacre Queen" for portraying the lead role in murder movies: The Vizconde Massacre Story: God Help Us (1993), The Elsa Castillo Story: Ang Katotohanan (1994), and The Fatima Buen Story (1994).
She was also called the Queen of Horror Films after she starred in two horror flicks-Feng Shui (2004) and Sukob (2006)-and in the TV suspense sineserye Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara (2008).
Kris excelled in hosting TV shows. She had her own shows like, The Kris Aquino Show(1994), Kris & Tell (2000), and Morning Girls (2002). Eventually she shared the Morning Girls with ABS-CBN News anchor Korina Sanchez, making it Morning Girls with Kris and Korina (2003). Right now, she's co-hosting with her manager Boy Abunda in the morning show, Boy & Kris.
Aside from talk shows, the former first daughter was also dubbed as the Queen of Game Shows for successfully hosting Game Ka Na Ba for almost six years. Her unique, perky style in Kapamilya:Deal or No Deal has even made it to the one of the episodes of its U.S. franchise, Deal or No Deal—Around the World.
As a celebrity, Kris and her relationships are often in the public eye. Years ago, she had a romantic affair with veteran actor Phillip Salvador, with whom she bore a son named Joshua. Now married to cager James Yap, Kris dotes as well on her second son, Baby James.
Jo Ramos. Former President Fidel Ramos's link to showbiz may not be as strong as that of the previous presidents, but he has a daughter who was inclined to the entertainment industry—Josephine "Jo" Ramos.
Jo, to her fellow musicians, is one of the five daughters of the 12th president of the Philippines. She used to be a member of a singing group before she decided to become a solo artist.
Her career attempt was interrupted when she married former matinee idol Lloyd Samartino, son of 1960s singer Carmen Soriano. Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out.
Jinggoy Estrada. Senator Estrada (Jose Ejercito), is the eldest son of the 13th President of the Philippines, Joseph "Erap" Estrada, also former San Juan Mayor and later, senator. We know, of course, that Erap himself was an action star before politics beckoned.
And so with Jinggoy who was already a showbiz person before he was elected Vice Mayor of San Juan city.
As another Estrada action star, Jinggoy played lead roles in the movies: Sa Kuko ng Agila (1989), Eagle Squad (1989), The Marita Gonzaga Rape Slay: In God We Trust (1995), and Kuratong Baleleng (1995).
Sen. Jinggoy also helped in producing other action films that top-billed his friends: Pepeng Agimat (1999) and Minsan Ko Lang Sasabihin (2000), starring Ramon "Bong" Revilla, now also a senator; and Palaban (2000) starring the late Rudy Fernandez.
Last year, Sen. Jinggoy earned himself an acting award for his role in Katas ng Saudi (2007). He won the Best Actor award in the Metro Manila Film Festival and the recent Golden Screen Awards for the movie.
Mikey Arroyo. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, 39, or simply Mikey Arroyo, is the first son of the current President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He used to be the Vice Governor of Pampanga. Now he serves as a congressman in the second district of the same province.
Before he ran for a seat in Congress, Mikey appeared in the action-comedy films:
Ang Maton at ang Showgirl (1998), Ang Boyfriend Kong Pari (1999), Mahal Kita, Walang Iwanan (2000), Di Kita Ma-Reach, A.B. Normal College (Todo na ‘Yan, Kulang pa ‘Yun) (2003), Masamang Ugat (2003), and Sablay ka na, Pasaway ka pa (2005)
After he was voted as the representative of Pampanga's second district, Mikey stopped doing movies. He is now focused on his job as a public servant, and on his wife Angela and their two daughters.