"MAN OF THE YEAR"

“...I have covered politics for over half a century, and I never met somebody like FPJ. I never knew until now how generous he was, how before his death he bundled piles of food gifts for the victims of three torrential typhoons, how he made sure his name would not be appended to the gifts, unlike some politicians …”--- Teodoro C. Benigno

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The Philippine Star/ 2004

"DA KING HAD 5 BEST TRAITS FILIPINOS SEEK IN A HERO"

"Fernando Poe Jr. had 5 best traits Filipinos seek in a hero. On this, scholars of Philippine culture agree: On-or off-screen, whether throwing choreographed punches or secretly handing out gifts, FPJ supplied the top qualities that Filipinos seek in a hero..." (click image below to continue reading)

Philippine Daily Inquirer/ December 18, 2004

"POSTSCRIPT" ON FPJ

“I don’t know that he would have made a good president, as I’ve repeatedly said. To this day, I have my misgivings… He gave them something to hope for in life by his life and death. The real hope, it said, was how you lived and died. You could live dishonorably and die in shame, or you could live honestly and die with dignity. His admirers will probably think that qualifies him for man for all seasons.” - Conrado de Quiros

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Philippine Daily Inquirer/ January 2005

"THE IMMORTAL FPJ"

“When a man as popular and as deeply-loved as Fernando Poe Jr. dies, we can be sure that many will try to claim him as one of their own. But FPJ always knew where he belonged--- with the masa. Da King is not dead; he lives in their consciousness.

He was their hero, their benefactor, their protector and friend. He gave them hope for a better life, but above all, he showed them what a Filipino in these times could be. Loyal, kind, brave and strong.” –Randy David
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PDI/ December 19, 2004

"ANG ALAMAT" (1972) Film Clip UPLOADED

One of those unforgettable and breathtaking scenes where FPJ with one hand cocked the gun, swing it to the air, grabbed hold of the grip and blasted his foe away. An exciting scene from the 1972 movie, "Ang Alamat," one of the rare times Da King used his precious caliber .45 golden gun. If I'm not mistaken, the first time he introduced this gun was in 1965 when he did "Baril na Ginto." You can access the film clip by clicking the you tube at my Blog List found found at the right side of the screen.

CARLO J. CAPARAS' "DURUGIN SI TOTOY BATO"

Fernando Poe, Jr. won his third Famas Best actor award as a streetfighter and brawler in this 1979 movie, "Durugin si Totoy Bato." The movie was based from a popular komiks serial by Carlo J. Caparas. It was serialized in Modern Romances and True Confessions magazine.

Modern Romances and True Confessions/ 1979

INQUIRER'S 2004 FILIPINO OF THE YEAR

In 2005, the country's top broadsheet newspaper, Philippine Daily Inquirer named Fernando Poe, Jr. the 2004 Filipino of the Year. Here's this news article titled "Mourning an Unfulfilled Dream" and what the paper have to say of the late actor. Part of the article is reprinted below. Click the images to read the text in full.

---Around this time last year Fernando Poe, Jr. heeded the summons to be brave and did what no Filipino had done in quite a while. He gave the common folk hope. “The dawn of a better life is coming,” he had said to those who would listen. From the inner cities where the barely fed and barely heard struggled through one blighted day after another, to distant towns where the unread tilled the soil or farmed the sea at crack of light, to ancient hills where they worshipped other gods yet idolized him, he bade his followers--- in measured but familiar lyrics--- never to give up on their dreams...

Could FPJ have shepherded this desolate nation to a more verdant meadow? Would he have led the way had he lived, with conviction, compassion, decency and box office success? Would he have tempered power with grace? Would he have given us more cause to idolize him? Ever a fighter, he did not turn his back one one more fight. As it turned out, the presidential run was his best and last. On Dec. 14, 2004, he breathed his last, leaving behind Susan Roces, his wife of 36 years, and a movie industry that had never felt more orphaned.

His death left a sadness with no name. At his wake, all kinds of people grieved and queued to pay their last respect. “They came to mourn some of the best of what it meant to be Filipino,” wrote Conrado de Quiros in his column. They also came to mourn an unrealized dream, both his and theirs.

Philippine Inquirer /January 23, 2005

Philippine Daily Inquirer/ January 23, 2005

"THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, KUYA!"

Excerpt from “Thanks for the memories, Kuya!” by Baby K. Jimenez/ The Philippine Star/ Entertainment/ December 17, 2004

While FPJ’ generosity is a well-known fact, some stories had to be kept off record due to his request. Take this story re Nora “Guy” Aunor.

It was the year (1983, I think, when) Nora celebrated her birthday at the Intercon. She was then in the midst of several emotional and financial problems and she chose to celebrate her birthday to forget her woes, typically La Aunor mood. She made a very personal request to me, “Please make sure Kuya Ronnie and Ate Susan come to my party.”

The affair turned out to be very well-attended, FPJ and Susan included. The party was in full swing when FPJ approached me. “I have to talk to you,” he mumbled. “Do you know more or less how much this is going to cost Guy?” I told him I would ask Guy’s aide, Andy Biag. It was almost 2 a.m. when people started leaving and FPJ called my attention once more, “O, do you know na how much? Ssshh--- not a word to anyone.” The bill came to about P56, 000. He talked to the manager, paid for everything and he added two more suites for the night’s stay (he and Susan occupied one) not to mention the big amount he gave “for the boys.” Nora was practically crying when she found out everything was paid for. FPJ just smiled and said, “Okay lang, happy birthday!”

The following morning, I received a call from Kuya, “O babes, don’t forget. Off the record. Wala kang alam!” (Ms. Baby K. Jimenez)

"ANG KAMPANA SA SANTA QUITERIA" (1973) Film Clip UPLOADED

The hunt for the hidden treasure ended at the church belfry of Santa Quiteria. Watch the final eight minutes of this exciting scene from the movie, "Ang Kampana ng Santa Quiteria." You can access the film clip by clicking the you tube at my Blog List found found at the right side of the screen.

"...nakita ko na ang kayamanan ng Santa Quiteria..."

MOVIE STILL FROM "ANG KAMPANA SA SANTA QUITERIA" (1973)

Looking for a hidden treasure, a band of notorious bandits led by Max Alvarado went to the town of Santa Quiteria. Town folks scampered for safety inside the church while a pretty barrio lass (played by Rosanna Ortiz) met and pacify them. A suspenseful scene from the 1971 movie, "Ang Kampana ng Santa Quiteria."

Ang Kampana ng Santa Quiteria (1971)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Boots Anson-Roa, Rosanna Ortiz, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Dencio Padilla, Vic Varrion and Max Alvarado/ with Zernan Manahan, Venchito Galvez/ Directed by Pablo Santiago

LOBBY CARD #16: "ANG LEON AT ANG KUTING" (1980)

Fernando Poe, Jr., in his entire movie career, used to appear with child stars, from Jay Ilagan in the 60s, to Zernan Manahan, Frankie Navaja, Jr. and Nino Muhlach in the 70s, Bentot Jr. in the 80s, Matet, R.R. Herrera in the 90s.

FPJ, for instance starred with six-year old Sheryl Cruz, daughter of popular 60s love team of Ricky Belmonte and Rosemarie, in the 1980 movie "Ang Leon at ang Kuting."

Ang Leon at ang Kuting (1980)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Sheryl Cruz, Sandy Andolong, Leopoldo Salcedo, Dencio Padilla/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera

"PATAYIN SI MEDIAVILLO" (1978) Film Clip UPLOADED

Police officer Mediavillo (Fernando Poe Jr.), quick with his hand, easily disposes his friend-policeman, played by Vic Varrion, out to kill and finish him off, for a price. An exciting scene from the 1978 movie "Patayin si Mediavillo." Here's the film clip of that particular scene which you can access by clicking the You Tube at my Blog List found at the right side of the screen.

" Ginawa mo ako na parang bibe,
bubusugin mo muna bago patayin!" --- FPJ as Mediavillo

MOVIE STILLS FROM "SANTO DOMINGO" (1972)

A ruthless band of pirates headed by Carbungco (Max Alvarado) and his right hand man Gaston (Paquito Diaz) invaded the small coastal town of Santo Domingo. They seized and occupied the town's monastery, killing most of the priests and its occupants. The movie, released in 1972, was FPJ Productions' entry to the 7th Manila Film Festival and the festival's top grosser.

"Santo Domingo" (1972)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Boots Anson-Roa, Alona Alegre, Paquito Diaz and Maz Alvarado/ with Lito Anzures, Bruno Punzalan, Vic Varrion and Frankie Navaja Jr. and Jun Mariano/ Directed by Celso Ad Castillo

LOBBY CARD # 15: "ALAMAT NG 7 KILABOT" (1967)

The hunt for a priceless treasure in gold leads seven adventurous gunfighters to the town of San Diego. They later learn from a parish priest that the place is in the grip of a bunch of merciless bandits.

Fernando Poe, Jr. was instrumental in bringing four of our country's top action stars to star with him in one great action movie. Action greats Joseph Estrada, Bob Soler, Jess Lapid, Sr. and Zaldy Zshornack starred with FPJ in "Alamat ng 7 Kilabot." Andy Poe, the real Fernando Poe, Jr. was introduced in this 1967 movie.

Alamat ng 7 Kilabot (1967)- Stars Fernado Poe, Jr., Joseph Estrda, Jess Lapid, Bob Soler and Zaldy Zshornack/ with Dan Moreno, Robert Talabis, Van de Leon, Eddie Garcia, Johnny Monteiro, Ramon D' Salva, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Bert Olivar and Paquito Diaz/ Introducing Andy Poe/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera

"SANDATA AT PANGAKO" (1961) Film Clip UPLOADED

An emotional and dramatic scene between two great stars of Philippine cinema, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Charito Solis. The movie, "Sandata at Pangako," was their first team-up and FPJ's only movie under LVN Pictures. You can access the film clip by clicking the You Tube at my Blog List found at the right side of the screen.

FPJ'S GENEROSITY # 1

There are actually dozens of stories that tell of Fernando Poe, Jr.’s extra generosity. Like, how he used to regularly visit a squatter’s group somewhere in Fairview where, at one time, he had shot one of his movies. Every Christmas, from then on, FPJ would rent a jeepney, fill it up with all kinds of goodies to be distributed to the residents who eventually became his friends. The last time Ronnie visited them, he found the place empty. He had a jeepney loaded with gift items but there was no one to receive it. He was about to leave when he saw an old man almost running towards him with a basketful of vegetables on one hand and some chicken dangling on the other. He could hardly breathe because of fatigue. Haltingly, he told the action king that they had been relocated to Sapang Palay. “Eto nga ho ‘yong mga tanim namin at ilan sa mga alagang manok. Nais nilang ibigay ito at alam nila na darating kayo.” Almost in tears, FPJ embraced the old man and offered to accompany him to Sapang Palay where they distributed the items. (Ross Celino/ FPJ Publicist-PRO)

Source- A Movie Album Quizbook by Jessie B. Gacia/ 2004