Representation of Masculinity in FPJ’s Action Films
Article

This study focuses on the representation of male protagonists in several selected films of Rronald Aallan Poe Kelly, or more famously known as Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ). New categories of the representation of male protagonists in action films were arrived at after a thorough reading of the main heroes. The infantilized, trigger-happy, and sadist protagonists that FPJ’s films created were identified. This research, which uses dialogue exchanges and movie scenes to create a representation of masculinity, can be regarded as part of cultural studies.

In order to give meaning to the categories created by this study, these need to be projected onto a wider context of social issues that take the form of visual culture. The produced categories became the basis with which to analyze the Metro Guwapo project of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) during the term of Bayani Fernando. In addition, these categories were also used to analyze the matrimony of the state and the military during the tenure of former President Gloria Macapagal-Aarroyo as a political and cultural text. Lastly, the created representation of masculinity was used as the basis with which to analyze a photo of former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenny as she was delivering the guest of honor’s speech urging Mindanaoans to take care of Lake Lanao.