By Dean Austen
AUCKLAND - Philippine President Joseph Estrada, a former movie idol, was mobbed by admirers during a public appearance in Avondale.
A former horse paddock at the end of an Avondale subdivision was the unlikely setting for a presidential visit when Mr Estrada unveiled a memorial at a reserve named
after Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.
The large security contingent accompanying the President and first lady Loi Estrada was kept busy during the 20-minute visit controlling the enthusiastic crowd of around 200 New Zealand Filipinos.
The former tough-guy movie star, known for his colourful style, happily posed for photographs with many of the excited, mainly female well-wishers, as bodyguards attempted to escort him back to the motorcade.
Disco tunes provided by a local karaoke company warmed up the crowd before Mr Estrada's arrival at the reserve, where he was greeted by the Mayor of Auckland, Christine Fletcher, and community representatives.
Taking time out from his Apec schedule, Mr Estrada thanked the city for establishing the reserve in honour of Jose Rizal, doctor, poet and inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.
Rizal's martyrdom at the hands of the Spanish in 1896 sparked the drive for independence.
The reserve was named in his honour to recognise Auckland's 10,000-strong Philippine community. Some $50,000 has been spent on developing the 1.2ha area at the end of Wingate St, on the edge of the Whau River.
