FPJ DRAWS TRIBUTE FROM ALL OVER
MANILA, December 15, 2004, (STAR) In life, he brought together groups from across the country’s political spectrum to launch what many in the establishment saw as a quixotic quest for the presidency.In death, action star turned reluctant candidate Fernando Poe Jr. has drawn tributes and statements of sympathy from an unlikely rainbow of sources.
Well known for its refusal to take sides in national elections, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) e-mailed to the media yesterday its tribute to Poe.
In a statement, CPP spokesman Gregorio Rosal praised Poe for his portrayal of "characters who were poor and downtrodden but dared to defend their rights and fight their oppressors."
But Rosal also paid tribute to Poe’s concern "in real life" for social issues.
"In real life, we knew that FPJ (Poe’s initials) was deeply interested and involved himself in matters of social concern," he said. "On a personal level, he had profound sympathy for the plight of the poor and was always ready to contribute what he could for undertakings that would benefit the worker and peasant masses."
Rosal said he learned of Poe’s "great interest in achieving a lasting peace" from "several extended phone conversations" when Poe was running for the presidency.
The US Embassy recognized Poe for being an "icon of Philippine cinema" and the "son of an American citizen."
"We note with sadness this morning’s news of the passing of Fernando Poe Jr., who is a much beloved icon of Philippine cinema and the son of an American citizen. Mr. Poe will be remembered with great fondness as much for his singular role as ‘Da King’ of Philippine cinema as for his entry into the political arena as a presidential candidate in the 2004 national elections," the embassy said in its statement.
Poe, who was born Ronald Allan Kelley Poe, was the son of American Elizabeth Kelley and Fernando Poe. His citizenship became the subject of an electoral dispute that was resolved by the Supreme Court in Poe’s favor.
The Christian Nationalist Union tried to inject political color in its statement, attributed to CNU board member and former senator Francisco Tatad.
"Ronnie Poe will live in the hearts and minds of our countrymen as one who tried to bring hope to the poor and died trying to undo a grievous wrong to our sovereign people. We hope and pray that what he had failed to achieve in life will finally be achieved by our people," the statement said.
Tatad ran unsuccessfully for senator as a member of the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino that had Poe as standard-bearer in the May elections.
Poe died shortly after midnight Tuesday at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City after falling into a coma caused by a massive stroke late Saturday.
His remains have been brought to the Arlington East Garden Chapels in Quezon City. Poe’s body will later be transferred to the Sto. Domingo Church, also in Quezon City. — Marvin Sy, Cesar Ramirez, Benjie Villa
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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