POE FAMILY TO MARK FPJ'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

Sen. Grace Poe and mother, Susan Roces, will lead the commemoration of the 80th birth anniversary of the late Fernando Poe Jr. tomorrow, August 20.

A mass, to be officiated by Fr. Larry Faraon, will be held at 8 a.m., followed by a short program at the Manila North Cemetery.

As in the past years, the Poe family will distribute grocery packs and toys to some 200 indigent families.

Family members and friends are expected to attend.

"Natutuwa tayo at nagpapasalamat dahil alam natin na hindi nakakalimutan ng ating mga kababayan si FPJ, at patuloy siyang nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa marami para magsikap at maging isang mabuting Pilipino," Poe said.

Poe said she grew up guided by the virtues of compassion and humility taught by her father.

"He would always tell me to live for a purpose bigger than myself. That's the FPJ legacy that I always try to live by," Poe said.

As they remember the late National Artist and Filipino film industry icon, Poe said she would continue to work for the advancement of the rights and welfare of workers in the industry, which had been the advocacy of her father.

"Alam ng aking ama na sa likod ng bawat pelikula ay masisipag at mahuhusay na mga manggagawa. Nasa isip niya lagi ang kanilang karapatan at kapakanan," Poe said.

The senator also recognized FPJ's loyal supporters for keeping his memory alive.

"Salamat sa mga patuloy na nanonood ng mga remastered na pelikula ni FPJ, dun sa mga gumagaya sa pananamit niya, o kaya sa mga gumagamit ng mga sikat na linya sa kanyang mga pelikula. Dahil dito, buhay ang alaala ni FPJ," Poe said.

On and off screen, Poe said her father touched the lives of many people.

"He was compassionate to the poor and to those suffering from injustice. He wanted people to fight for their rights," Poe said.(