FPJ's 78th BIRTHDAY REMEMBERED

Sen. Grace Poe and mother Susan Roces led the gathering of family members, friends and long-time supporters on Sunday, Aug. 20, to commemorate the 78th birthday of the late "King of Philippine Movies" Fernando Poe, Jr.

The Poe family expressed appreciation and gratitude especially to "die-hard" supporters who came from many places around the country for the unwavering support from the time FPJ was still the iconic movie star looked up to by many up to the present.

 Sen. Grace Poe offers prayers at the tomb of the late Filipino action king Fernando Poe, Jr. in Manila North Cemetery on Sunday in commemoration
 of his 78th birth anniversary.

"Sa mga sitwasyon, ang importante ay hindi tayo mawalan ng direksyon kung ano ba talaga ang tama at nararapat at ipagdasal natin na we remain courageous and compassionate. Yun ang dalawang bagay—na hindi tayo maging duwag at hindi tayo mawalan ng awa at pagmamahal dahil pag meron tayo nun kahit na napakahirap ng hamon ay tatayo at tatayo tayo at ipaglalaban natin ang nararapat at tutulong tayo lalung lalo na sa mga mahihirap at walang boses," Poe said at the Manila North Cemetery.

Poe's husband Neil and son Brian also attended the gathering. 


The senator said FPJ'S memory remains alive, sharing that her late father lived a life that taught ordinary Filipinos how to have a heart for the poor and needy.

"Si FPJ, hindi lamang sa pelikula nakipaglaban sa katarungan. Sa tunay na buhay, ang katarungan ay ibinigay sa mga nangangailangan. Hindi lang naman laging boxing lang si FPJ—tulong rin sa may sakit, tulong rin sa matatanda, tulong rin sa mga may problema sa batas na kailangan ng representasyon. Sa inyong lahat na hindi nakakalimot sa inspirasyon at turo ni FPJ, maraming, maraming salamat po," the senator added.

Aspiring young singer Winston “Tonton” Cabiles, Jr. of “The Voice Kids” Philippines Season 1 sang two of FPJ's favorite songs, "May Bukas Pa" and "Kapalaran."

The "King of Philippine Cinema" Ronald Allan Kelley Poe, popularly known as FPJ in the movie screen, was conferred the National Artist of the Philippines for Film posthumously for his immense contribution as an actor, director, writer and producer.

FPJ, who earned numerous awards for starring in and producing more than 100 iconic and influential Filipino films, inspired troves of actors and modern films. One of his notable movies, the 1997 hit “Ang Probinsyano,” was remade by ABS-CBN into a primetime TV series, “FPJ's Ang Probinsyano” which runs for two years now. #