In this story:

• Ramos reforms to continue
• Will rely heavily on economic advisers
• Relates stories and sites

MALOLOS, Philippines (CNN) -- Joseph Estrada, a former B-movie star loved by the masses, took his oath Tuesday as the Philippines' 13th president at a church where Asia's first republic was inaugurated a century ago.

Estrada, who won an overwhelming victory in elections on May 11, has pledged to devote his six-year term to narrowing the gap between the country's rich and poor.

But his presidency, which Estrada says will be his "greatest performance," is off to a rocky start after many Filipinos reacted angrily to his decision to permit the burial of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at a heroes' cemetery.

The bitter opposition forced Estrada, a former Marcos supporter, to reverse his decision.

"No previous president has assumed office with as much dissonance in the air," says political scientist Alex Magno.

In a symbol, however, of a remarkably smooth political transition, Estrada rode together with outgoing President Fidel Ramos in a horse-drawn carriage to historic Barasoain Church for his oath taking. Ramos did not run for re-election because of a constitutional term limit, but backed Estrada's main rival in the polls.

Arrangements for Estrada's inauguration highlighted this year's centennial of the country's declaration of independence from 333 years of Spanish colonialism.

Hundreds of men and women in native costumes lined the road leading to the church, 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Manila, which was guarded by soldiers wearing revolutionary uniforms.

The church, decorated with white orchids and chrysanthemums, was where the first Philippine constitution was drafted a century ago and where Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president, was proclaimed.

Ramos reforms to continue

Estrada says he will continue most of Ramos' economic reform policies but will focus on helping the poor and agriculture. Police, however, prevented about 500 leftist demonstrators, including workers, farmers and students, from approaching him before and after the oath taking.

Estrada has also pledged to crack down on official corruption and solve the country's severe crime problem within six months.

The new president, a college dropout with a swagger, mustache and bouffant hairstyle, gained a devoted following among the country's many poor during several decades as an actor in B movies, playing tough guys who stood up against injustice.

He parlayed his popularity into a successful political career, first as mayor of a Manila suburb, then as a senator and vice president.

He won the May 11 polls by one of the largest margins ever in a free Philippine election. The polls were also among the Philippines' most peaceful, although at least 45 people were killed.

Many in the traditional Philippine elite have looked askance at Estrada, considering him an undereducated buffoon with little ability to lead the country's economy through the murky waters of Asia's devastating currency crisis.

Will rely heavily on economic advisers

Estrada freely admits little proficiency in economics and says he will depend on a stable of 30 economic advisers who range from leftist academics to conservative bankers.

He also openly acknowledges a history of womanizing, heavy drinking and gambling, but insists he now has given up all vices -- including cigarette smoking, which he quit several weeks ago.

His landslide victory prompted many to predict a long political "honeymoon" as president. But in addition to the divisive decision to allow Marcos' burial, Estrada also has taken on much of the Philippine Congress with a pledge to eliminate "pork barrel" funds often misused by congressmen.

All three unions at beleaguered Philippine Airlines -- owned by an important Estrada backer -- also plan a demonstration Wednesday demanding that Estrada take action in response to the carrier's recent massive layoffs.

And Estrada faces a revolt from the popular head of the Subic Bay special economic zone, who refuses to step down after being fired by the new president over personal differences.