FPJ’s family not interested in moving him to Libingan ng mga Bayani

MANILA, Philippines – Fernando Poe Jr’s (FPJ) family is not interested in transferring his remains to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), said his daughter, Senator Grace Poe.

In a release from Grace’s office, she explained: “Mapayapa na ang kinalalagyan ni FPJ sa Manila North Cemetery. Malapit siya at pwedeng madalaw ng pangkaraniwang tao na sinimbulo at minahal nya. At nandoon din nakahimlay ang kanyang mga magulang.”

(FPJ is at peace where he was laid to rest at the Manila North Cemetery. He is near and can be visited by the common people who he symbolized and loved. And his parents are resting there as well.)

At the thanksgiving mass for the national artist’s 77th birth anniversary, Grace thanked her late father’s supporters.

She said: “Marami tayong ipinaglalaban, gusto natin ng kaayusan at kapayaan. Gusto nating bigyan ng oportunidad ang ating mga kababayan – sapat na pagkain, trabaho, at magandang edukasyon. Patuloy natin itong isusulong saan man tayo.”

(We have a lot to fight for, we want order and peace. We want to give opportunities to our countrymen – enough food, jobs, and a good education. We should continue to fight for these wherever we are.)

Grace ran for president in May but lost to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The thanksgiving mass, held on Saturday, August 20, was attended by FPJ’s wife Susan Roces, Grace’s husband Neil Llamanzares, and their children, Brian, Hanna, and Nika.

Grace’s family laid fowers on his grave, while Susan gave a touching speech, remembering how FPJ preferred simple celebrations on his birthday. “Ayaw nya ng magarbo,” recounted Susan. “Gusto niya na sama-sama ang magkakatrabaho at mga tagahanga. Saan man siya abutin ng birthday, doon ang handaan,” said Roces, who is in the television remake of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

(He didn’t want anything grand. He wanted all his co-workers and admirers to be together. Wherever he was on his birthday, that’s where he celebrated.)

Aside from FPJ, many have been debating burying former president and Martial Law dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, a campaign promise made by President Duterte.

The government has said that Marcos was fit for a hero’s burial because he was a former president and soldier. However, many have protested against the president’s decision, citing agreements between the government and the Marcos family after Martial Law, or saying that they do not consider the dictator a hero.

National artists are eligible for interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for their contributions to the arts. As of writing, there are over 40 national artists buried in the cemetery.

FPJ was born on August 20, 1939 and was declared a National Artist posthumously. He starred in and produced more than a hundred films including Ang Panday and Kapag Puno na ang Salop. – Rappler.com