ABS-CBN acquires right to 'Da King's' movie library

Broadcasting network ABS-CBN acquired the exclusive rights to the whole movie library of the king of Philippine movies, the late Fernando Poe Jr., ABS-CBN News reported Friday.

This, after Poe’s widow, actress Susan Roces signed an agreement with ABS-CBN for the exclusive rights to her husband’s movies. Roces entrusted the library to the network because of its worldwide reach.

Leng Raymundo, head of ABS-CBN’s Acquisition, said the movie library contained all of FPJ’s starring roles, and movies he produced and directed.
She said that this is considered as the biggest and most important movie library in the history of Philippine Cinema.

Also present during the contract signing were ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production, and Poe’s daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
FPJ’s famous movies such as “Panday”, “Roman Rapido”, “Kahit Konting Pagtingin”, “Batang Quiapo” and “Dito sa Pitong Gatang” are also in the library.

Starting October 20, Poe’s fans will be treated to his movies, including blockbuster films titled “Muslim Magnum 357”, “Umpisahan Mo Tatapusin Ko”, “Durugin si Totoy Bato”, and “Asedillo at Mga Alabok sa Lupa” to be shown at ABS-CBN’s Cinema FPJ: Da King.
Reports said the movie library also has the never been aired music video of FPJ before he passed away.

This will be shown to the public in a TV special this December to coincide with Poe’s third death anniversary.

The music video has special scenes that were personally chosen by FPJ from his movies.
Aside from the movies, ABS-CBN also got the rights to show 12 films done by Roces like the “Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara”.

With a report from Mario Dumaual