Remembering FPJ, Da King

It has been about 10 years since a King was buried, and we are replaying our memories of him — over and over again. He was action hero Fernando Poe Jr., an icon to many, and our recollection of him is peppered with stories that were entertaining and made people laugh and of course, cry, knowing that he will forever remain just that, a memory. Everyone has his own favorite tale that is his and his alone, for that was one of FPJ’s uncanny gifts — to make each man feel special.

It was by sheer accident that we stumbled upon a documentary produced by ABS-CBN called Hari — The Making of Da King, which covered every aspect of his life from birth to death. FPJ was not any ordinary man; he was a cut above all others. Ask him for help, and before one could get to the reason he needed assistance, it was a done deal. All these reminiscences of the past were delivered by long-time friends Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda, Susan Tagle, Caridad Sanchez, and FPJ’s wife Susan Roces, who generously shared each and every painful recollection with the people her husband so loved, he was willing to go the extra mile for, and if necessary, die for. What made him this way, many wondered? Why was he so giving of himself to those he hardly knew, and even more so, to those he didn’t know at all?

Today, people are prone to forget, that before a Fernando Poe Jr., there was a Fernando Poe Sr. whose fans would follow him wherever he went. In those days, Fernando Poe Sr. was sky-high in popularity until that crippling case of a dog bite and subsequent death from rabies caused him his life.

And then, we had the son, the junior tasked to carry on the tradition, who many insist would surpass the successes of the father. FPJ would vaguely remember his father listening to the radio for his favorite adventure stories. Soon, it would be him sitting in front of the television, watching Anak ni Palaris. He started doing bit roles, extra roles, until his first big role which was a flop. But he carried on, watching others, learning the tricks of the trade, until at age 16 he and his fellow actors would be on a billboard announcing the screening of the Lo’ Waist Gang, so called because they wore pants way below the torso. The movie was a huge success, as it gave the action stars the equality they had long deserved, away from the tyranny of Sampaguita and LVN Pictures, rivals over who had the lovelier stars, the most popular with the fans. This was also when FPJ and Joseph “Erap” Estrada got to be partners and friends. Soon enough, there came the action film distributors led by FPJ Productions, Tagalog Ilang Ilang, Premiere Productions and a few more that owe to FPJ a debt of gratitude.     

We have many more personal observations to share — of how he loved to sing not only in the shower but also on the phone to his wife and loved ones; how he stopped the scenes of being shot to death in movies, after finding out that his rabid Muslim followers in Mindanao would shoot the screen of the theater exhibiting the film; and how he would invite everyone to a grand party in his Antipolo home with every dish and drink available on the condition that nobody goes home before he does. But we and friend Baby K. Jimenez would sneak out under cover of night. The following day, we would find him awake downtown pointing a finger at us and chiding us for having gone against the practice. Truly, there can be no one quite like FPJ.

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