Earlier today, Senator Mary Grace Poe unveiled a marker renaming the Light Rail Transit-1 Roosevelt Station in Quezon City as the Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Station.
Photo: Grace Poe on Facebook
The unveiling ceremony coincided with the 84th birthday of the late movie icon, known as ‘Da King’ or the King of Philippine movies, and included a pop-up exhibit showcasing some of his works.
This name change is in accordance with Republic Act (RA) 11608, signed in 2020, which renamed ‘Roosevelt Avenue’ in Quezon City to ‘Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue’ in honor of the iconic action star. It was authored by former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd and Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, who were both present at the event.
Quezon City’s 1st District Representative Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde was also there, as well as Coco Martin, who continues to reprise FPJ’s roles on present-day TV with “Ang Probinsyano” and “Batang Quiapo.” We also spotted entrepreneur and philanthropist Brian Poe Llamanzares, FPJ’s grandchild and Sen. Poe’s chief of staff.
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“Sa bawat pasaherong bababa at sasakay sa FPJ Station, sana ay maalala ninyo ang puso ni Da King para sa masang Pilipino,” wrote the senator, who is also FPJ’s daughter, on social media.
Poe added, “Isang hamon para sa DOTr at LRTA ang pagbibigay ng maayos at komportableng byahe bilang paraan ng pagbibigay-pugay sa kanyang legasiya.”
FPJ starred in about 300 films over his 46-year acting career, before he passed away at age 64 in 2004.
He was also declared the Philippines’ National Artist for Cinema by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2006, a recognition that celebrated his contributions to the film industry as an actor, director, producer, and writer.
However, his wife Susan Roces reportedly initially declined to accept the award, and it was only in 2012 that Former President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III finally conferred the honor.
Senator Poe also posted a tribute to his father on his birthday, saying, “Maraming salamat sa pag-asang pamana mo sa bawat Pilipino, Da King!” Watch the reel below:
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