‘Da King’ remembered on his 78th birthday
Senator Grace Poe leads the commemoration of the 78th birth anniversary of her late Fernando Poe Jr. at the Manila North Cemetery on August 20, 2017. FROM THE OFFICE OF SEN. GRACE POE
Senator Grace Poe led the commemoration of her father Fernando Poe Jr.’s 78th birthday at the Manila North Cemetery on Sunday.
The late action star’s wife, Susan Roces, including family members, friends and supporters were also present during the mass.
“Sa mga sitwasyon (na ito), 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,” Poe said during her speech after the mass.
“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 kung anong nararapat at tutulong tayo lalung lalo na sa mga mahihirap at walang boses,” she added.
At right, an unidentified fan of ‘Da King’ Fernando Poe Jr. joins family and friends of the late actor in commemorating his 78th birthday. At left is Poe’s daughter Sen. Grace Poe. FROM THE OFFICE OF SEN. GRACE POE
The senator also lauded her father’s fight for justice, which she described as not just in his movies, but also in real life.
“Si FPJ, hindi lamang sa pelikula nakipaglaban sa katarungan. Sa tunay na buhay, ang katarungan ay ibinigay sa mga nangagailangan,” Poe said.
“Hindi lang naman palaging 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,” she added.
The Poe family also expressed gratitude to “die-hard” supporters who came from many places around the country for the unwavering support from the time Fernando Poe was still the iconic movie star up to the present.
Fernando Poe, popularly dubbed as “Da King” or king of Filipino action movie, ran for president during the 2004 elections but lost to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He died at the age of 65, on Dec. 14 of the same year after suffering from stroke. CBB
