THEY are three of the biggest names in showbiz who also happen to have the biggest hearts for marginalized movie workers.

The inspiring kindness of showbiz icons Fernando Poe Jr., Joseph Estrada and Dolphy has paved the way for the founding of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) in 1974 mainly to help movie workers in times of need.

It is but fitting that these three are among the eight stellar film icons to be honored as the first recipients of the first ever Ani Awards, the Mowelfund Tribute to Filipino Movie Greats, set to be given in a grand affair on February 23, 8 p.m., at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

"Thirty-two years ago, these three inadvertently discovered that each of them had personally, extensively, consistently yet very quietly been doling out money to colleagues in the industry who needed help. Their contributions often went to scholarships, hospitalization, medication and deaths," recalls Mowelfund executive director-actress Boots Anson-Roa. "These individual philanthropic missions planted a seed that inspired industry leaders to institutionalize welfare assistance, and thus Mowelfund was formed."

The three however are not only being honored for what they have done to put up Mowelfund. They are of course movie greats who have given the Filipino so much as far as entertainment is concerned.

Joseph "Erap" Estrada, for instance, is the true epitome of the champion of every movie worker’s cause. An action king, matinee idol, public servant, champion of the poor, and eventually the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines, Erap appeared in more than 100 movies and produced over 70 films. He often played heroes of the downtrodden classes, which gained him the admiration of the nation’s impoverished lot. He was the first FAMAS Hall of Fame awardee for Best Actor (1981) and also became a Hall of Fame Awardee as a producer (1983).

Fernando Poe Jr. had a heart for the "little people" in the industry having started as a messenger, a stuntman for Everlasting Pictures, until he landed his first starring role in the movie "Anak ni Palaris" at 14 years old. FPJ became an award-winning actor and garnered the most number of Best Actor awards from FAMAS. Among the movies that garnered critical acclaim were "Mga Alabok ng Lupa" (1967), "Asedillo" (1971), "Durugin si Totoy Bato," "Umpisahan Mo," "Tatapusin Ko" (1983), and "Magnum" (1987). These films elevated him to the FAMAS Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the FAP Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. He was honored with the Parangal Sentenyal sa Sining at Kultura in 1999 for his outstanding contribution to the Philippine movies through his depiction of the heroism, courage and moral uprightness of the Filipino and for being the epitome of a total film artist. In May 24, 2006, he became a National Artist through executive order Philippine Proclamation No. 1065.

Dolphy is the Philippines’ all-time King of Comedy. His beginnings were humble too, as a vaudeville dancer during the Japanese regime until he found his way to success when he began co-hosting the TV variety show "Buhay Artista." Becoming one of the most successful acts in Philippine show business was by no means a feat in itself, but Dolphy even outdoes himself by producing one masterful masterpiece after another – "Fefita Fofonggay vda. De Falayfay," "Ang Tatay Kong Nanay," "Dancing Master," "Jack en Jill," and many more.