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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Stunned nation mourns Poe's passing
MANILA -- Filipinos from all walks of life mourned the passing Tuesday of movie icon and former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., as his grief-stricken wife thanked those who prayed for her husband while he was fighting for his life.
Poe, "Da King" of Philippine cinema who rallied millions of fans in a daring bid for the presidency earlier this year, died 12:01 a.m. Tuesday after suffering a stroke and slipping into a coma, his doctor said. He was 65.
The actor was hero to millions of poor Filipinos who embraced the fast-punching, straight-shooting underdog role he typically played in more than 200 action films. He also portrayed true-to-life heroes, including decorated policemen, and appeared in several World War II movies as a soldier or guerrilla fighting Japanese invaders.
His wife, movie actress Susan Roces (Susan Sonora-Poe in real life), was in tears as she expressed her and her family's gratitude for the support extended to them by her husband's friends in the entertainment industry, political allies, supporters and fans.
Relatives and friends of Poe--in and out of the entertainment industry--rushed to the hospital upon learning of the actor's death.
A five-time winner in the local version of the Oscars, one of Poe's most memorable roles was a true story--a teacher who became a rebel leader fighting greedy landlords and bureaucrats in the 1920s, when the Philippines was still an American colony.
In his last movie, released in May, he was the buddy of a billiards player portrayed by real-life Filipino pool champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.
President Arroyo joined the nation in mourning Poe's demise. She called her former rival in the presidential race as a "great man, a worthy adversary and a great Filipino."
Poe and Arroyo fought in a bitter battle for the presidency in the elections last May 10.
The Senate passed a resolution of sympathy for the Poe family while the Catholic Church urged the people to pray for the eternal repose of Poe's soul.
Poe's body was brought to Arlington Memorial Homes along C. Raymundo Avenue in Pasig City where his family grieved over his death in private.
Despite an appeal from the Poe for privacy, hundreds of Poe's fans and political supporters flocked to the Arlington Memorial Homes.
Later Tuesday, the Poe family allowed the media and his fans to view Poe's body.
Poe's body was scheduled to be brought to the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City Tursday night where it will lie in state until his tentative interment on December 22 at the La Loma Cemtery in Manila. He will be buried beside his father, Fernando Sr., his mother Elizabeth and a brother.
Former Sen. Vicente Sotto III, Poe's former campaign manager, made arrangements in Sto. Domingo for Poe's wake to be at the right side of the church. A divider will be built so as not to disturb regular masses inside the church.
Policemen have been detailed to Sto. Domingo Church to maintain peace and order there.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Avelino Razon Jr. said he ordered Central Police District (CPD) Director Nicasio Rodovan to designate a specific area for Poe's followers who are expected to gather there to view the movie actor's remains.
He said he also instructed the police to secure the people there from unscrupulous individuals that might take advantage of the crowd.
Arroyo said in a statement that Poe's death came as a shock to her adding that she has been praying hard for his speedy recovery after learning that he was rushed to the hospital Sunday.
She said Poe still had a lot to offer the public and she is saddened by the actor's sudden death.
"I mourn with millions of Filipinos who loved him dearly and held him up as a symbol of their deep aspirations. This is a time to gather around our common feelings of grief and loss. I condole with his wife and family and I shall always pray for his eternal rest in the hands of God," she said.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said he is not yet sure if Arroyo would attend Poe's wake or if she would just send a representative.
Bunye personally relayed the sympathies of President Arroyo to the Poe family when he attended the wake at the Arlington Memorial Homes in Pasig City.
Bunye, who went to the wake at around 4 p.m., said he was received by the Poe family led by his wife Susan.
"I expressed the personal condolences of the President and Ms. Susan Roces thanked the President for her gesture and her sending of a rosary and letter during Mr. Ronnie Poe's confinement," said Bunye.
He said there is still a possibility that Arroyo may drop by Poe's wake when he is transferred to the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, but "things are still being firmed up."
Arroyo on Monday night said the daily mass heard in Malacaņang was offered for Poe's recovery since he was rushed to the hospital Sunday. Tuesday's 3 p.m. mass at the Palace was again offered for Poe.
The mass for the repose of Poe's soul would continue until the "pa-siyam" or the ninth day after his death.
Reports said President Arroyo is reluctant to attend the wake, particularly after her earlier request to visit the actor while he was still confined at the St. Luke's Medical Center was turned down. Some supporters of Poe had warned Arroyo against visiting their idol at the hospital.
Bunye said the report was just "speculation".
At the Senate, a resolution was approved "expressing profound condolence on untimely demise of Poe and honoring his contribution to Philippine Socio-Cultural and Political development."
Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, author of the resolution, mentioned the contributions of Poe not only to the movie industry but also in the formation of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) for the May 10 elections.
"He aimed his candidacy at the same poor and downtrodden class who he championed in his movies, promising to deal with the problems of the Philippines' large lower class," the resolution said.
Meanwhile, senators from the administration also expressed condolences to the family of Poe.
Senators Joker Arroyo, Manuel "Mar" Roxas III, Ramon "Bong" Revilla III, Manuel
Villar and Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan also paid tribute to Poe.
"Mr. Poe is not only a movie idol, being the "King of Philippine Movies." He also served as an inspiration and idol to the Filipino masses who related to the upright characters that he portrayed on screen," Villar said.
"We deeply grieve over the loss of such a good man," Roxas said.
On the other hand, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Fernando Capalla urged the country to offer prayers for the eternal repose of Poe's soul.
Davao Archbishop Capalla said Poe also known as "Da King" in Philippine cinema served as an inspiration to many Filipinos.
"FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.), as a popular movie actor, was an inspiration to many," Capalla said in a text message.
He added that Poe's charm was not only in Philippine movies because when he ran for president in the May 2004 elections "he was hailed by many as a symbol of hope for the poor."
When Poe was rushed to St. Luke's Medical Center last Saturday, Capalla requested the public to offer prayers for the swift recovery of the actor.
Senator Edgardo Angara said while the opposition has grown weaker with the demise of Poe, who he called as the leader of the opposition group, the actor will remain a symbol of the opposition for a long time to come.
"Manghihina lang sapagkat (It will weaken because) his physical presence is no longer here but the memory and what he stands for will stand out," Angara said.
Angara said in his last meeting with Poe, they talked about the electoral protest and that the actor has asked the KNP to pay attention to the protest.
Without Poe in the opposition, Senator Angara said they would still keep the fight through the electoral protest.
Angara said they will abide by Poe's wish to proceed with his protest. He said the opposition would discuss the electoral complaint after the actor's funeral.
He said they are eyeing Roces as the new leader of the opposition. Roces has not commented on the matter. (Sunnex Luzon/JFF/JMR/MSN/JPM/AP)
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(December 15, 2004 issue)
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