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Celebrities remember the late Fernando Poe Jr.

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Gary Ann  Lastrilla

<div> </div><div>December 14 marks the 13th death anniversary of National Artist for Film Fernando Poe Jr.</div><div> </div><div>Fondly called as “Da King”, FPJ was well-loved by his friends in the industry for not just being a good and professional actor, but also a compassionate comrade. </div><div> </div><div>Check out what celebrities he had made an impact on have to say about him. </div><div> </div><div><strong>1.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Susan Roces</strong></div><div> </div><div>As FPJ’s widow, seasoned actress Susan, in an interview with TV Patrol in 2014, called him her best friend. “We were partners in many ways. We were best friends. It’s not Erap who was his best friend, it’s me,” she lightheartedly said. </div><div> </div><div><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hg_-1qpeNLA" width="854"></iframe><div> </div><div><strong>2.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Grace Poe</strong></div><div> </div><div>As the daughter of FPJ, Senator Grace called her father as their family’s source of strength. During an interview at his father’s 5th death anniversary commemoration many years ago, Grace said, &quot;<em>Siya</em> (FPJ) <em>talaga</em> source <em>namin ng</em> strength e. <em>Kaya nung nawala siya, nagpakalakas talaga kami dahil alam naming wala na kaming matatakbuhan na magpapalakas sa amin</em>.&quot;</div><div> </div><div>READ: <a href="http://push.abs-cbn.com/2009/12/15/fresh-scoops/fernando-poe-jrs-family-and-friends-commemorate-hi-76975"><u>Fernando Poe Jr.&#x27;s family and friends commemorate his 5th death anniversary</u></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>3.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Judy Ann Santos</strong></div><div> </div><div>“Legend <em>siya</em>. <em>Isa siyang tao na dapat ipinagmamalaki ang trabaho. At siya bilang isang tao talaga, ‘yun ma-celebrate ‘yung buhay niya kasi marami siyang na-i-inspire</em>,” Judy Ann said in an interview with the press at the restored film showing of their 1998 movie Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko.</div><div> </div><div>READ: <a href="http://push.abs-cbn.com/2017/8/18/videos/push-tv-judy-ann-santos-reminisces-working-with-t-167178"><u>Push TV: Judy Ann Santos reminisces working with the late Fernando Poe Jr.</u></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>4.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Coco Martin</strong></div><div> </div><div>Coco Martin took on FPJ’s role in the modern-day version of <a href="http://entertainment.abs-cbn.com/tv/shows/angprobinsyano/main"><u><em><strong>Ang Probinsyano</strong></em></u></a> that is now a long-running top-rated teleserye on primetime. </div><div> </div><div>Aside from that, Coco is also 2017’s Ang Panday, another iconic character of ‘Da King.’</div><div> </div><div>In a tribute he made for FPJ, Coco said, “’<em>Pag sinabi mong</em> action movies, <em>ang naiisip mo agad, wala ng iba ay si</em> FPJ. <em>Parang siya ‘yung naging</em> superhero <em>ko. Hindi ko lang siya nakikita bilang isang artista kundi </em>hero <em>rin</em>.” </div><div> </div><div>As he was not able to work with his idol, Coco added, “<em>Isa lang ‘yung pinanghihinayangan ko bilang artista</em>; <em>sana dumating ‘yung</em> time <em>na nag-abot kami na naging artista na ako</em>. <em>Sana dumating ‘yung pagkakataon na nakilala ko siya ng </em>personal.”</div><div> </div><div><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V4pt-myI48c" width="854"></iframe><div> </div><div><strong>5.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>ER Ejercito</strong></div><div> </div><div>Actor-politician ER Ejercito did a remake of an 1986 FPJ movie titled Magnum 357. He dedicated this movie, which was an entry to the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival, to Da King.</div><div> </div><div>“<em>Sa mga kabataan ngayon, marami ang hindi nakapanood ng Magnum 357 noon ni Ninong</em> Ron (FPJ’s nickname). <em>Kaya itong</em> version <em>ko ay</em> tribute <em>para kay</em> Fernando Poe Jr, <em>bilang hari ng pelikulang</em> Pilipino <em>at ninong ko sa kasal at</em> tribute <em>ko rin sa</em> Muslim community <em>ng bansang</em> Pilipinas specifically <em>sa</em> Maranao <em>at </em>Tausug,” he said in an interview. </div><div> </div><div>READ: <a href="http://push.abs-cbn.com/2014/11/28/fresh-scoops/er-ejercito-says-magnum-357-is-a-tribute-to-fernan-82593"><u>ER Ejercito says &quot;Magnum 357&quot; is a tribute to Fernando Poe Jr. </u></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>6.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sharon Cuneta </strong></div><div> </div><div>During <em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em> in 2015 where Kean Cipriano impersonated FPJ, judge Sharon Cuneta, who was very close to FPJ, broke down in tears when she saw him step onto the stage. She even joined him in singing.</div><div> </div><div>Giving her verdict on Kean’s performance, she said, “Si FPJ, <em>hindi ko lang nakasama sa ilang pelikula kung hindi </em>he was my best friend. I’m just happy that before he passed away, we were able to talk on the phone.” </div><div> </div><div>She also recalled their fun bonding moments together. “I was close to him and tita Susan (Roces). They’re family,” she said.</div><div> </div><div>Watch Sharon’s complete heartfelt message here:</div><div> </div><div><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f4emxarMKzo" width="854"></iframe><div> </div><div><strong>7.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Robin Padilla</strong></div><div> </div><div>Action star Robin Padilla’s movie <em>Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo</em> was awarded the FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence in the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival. </div><div> </div><div>“<em>Tunay po na si </em>FPJ and Andres Bonifacio <em>sa panahong ito</em>,” he said during the awards night. </div></div></div></div>

It has been 13 years since ‘Da King’ Fernando Poe Jr. passed on but his legacy still lives on.

Celebrities remember the late Fernando Poe Jr.

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Celebrities remember the late Fernando Poe Jr.

Gary Ann Lastrilla

Published Dec 13, 2017 07:43 PM PHT

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Fernando Poe Jr.

FPJ

FPJ tribute

Sharon Cuneta

Grace Poe

Robin Padilla

Susan Roces

ER Ejercito

Coco Martin

Judy Ann Santos

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