Forever Da King

He could be many things to everyone like the ideal father (Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko), husband/lover (Mahal Ginagabi Ka Na Naman, Kahit Konting Pagtingin), hero (Asedillo, Panday) and friend (Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan ng Araw) in his more than 200 movies. However, to his legions of fans, Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ was and is a man for others. He still remains a beacon of hope, especially among the downtrodden.

All of this and the other images of FPJ unknown to many will be revealed as told by those close to him on ABS-CBN TV special Alay ni Da King tonight at 9.

“He is very dedicated in all aspects,” recalls Susan Roces of her late husband as a producer, director and actor. “(The TV special) is a beautiful picture of him, not the sad one.”

Daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares, on the other hand, says the movie clips and the music video made by his father included in the tribute could be the same images that flashed before him when he was about to leave this world. Grace adds televiewers should contemplate and listen to the words inserted in between videos as they could be the same words and messages FPJ wanted to share with and convey to others.

Alay ni Da King: An FPJ Special is teeming with inside stories on the National Artist for Film. Fans will get them straight from those who worked closely, grew up and lived with the cinema icon.

Their recollections of the man will speak volumes about who FPJ was away from the klieg lights. The TV special will perhaps give everyone a closer look of where Da King was coming from when he responded to the clamor of the masses to run for president in 2004.

There will also be trivia on FPJ (e.g. he was named after American poet and fiction writer Edgar Allan Poe). Aside from megging and starring in his own films, FPJ was also a prolific writer like his namesake. Unlike Edgar Allan Poe’s main character in The Cask of Amontillado, FPJ left the industry and the Filipino people with “intoxicating” movies about the realities of life and how to lead and live a good one.

Hosted by one of his leading ladies, Charo Santos-Concio, Alay ni Da King is divided into three segments: FPJ as The Artist, FPJ Ang Kaibigan and FPJ Ang Idolo.

Sharing their memoirs are Dolphy, Maricel Soriano, Eddie Garcia, former President Joseph Estrada, Phillip Salvador, Oscar Orbos, Randy David, this paper’s Entertainment editor and columnist Ricky Lo and Eddie Romero.

Vilma Santos, Boots Anson-Roa and Christopher de Leon will narrate and host the segments.

The most awaited part of the special is Da King’s music video showcasing scenes from his movies and songs he personally chose for his last masterpiece as an artist.

“I cannot be deaf to the clamor of the people,” said FPJ in an interview four years ago.

If he were alive, FPJ can’t be any happier, now that he’s sharing his life through the ABS-CBN special.