Susan receives National Artist award for FPJ

source: philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino conferred yesterday the National Artist for Cinema distinction on the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., which his widow Susan Roces and daughter Mary Grace Llamanzares said they agreed to accept from a “truly elected president.”

“It was worth the wait that this will be conferred by a duly elected president,” said Roces, who received the award posthumously on Poe’s behalf, earning a loud applause from the crowd.

The veteran actress had accused Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now a Pampanga congresswoman, of snatching the presidency from her husband “not once, but twice” in the May 2004 elections, where the two were main rival candidates.

Roces said she was not able to sleep.

“When FPJ ran for the presidency, he did not have any other wish but to serve our fellow Filipinos because we show biz personalities owe them a lot,” Roces told reporters in a chance interview.

“It is said that perhaps the hardest test in any journey is the patience to wait for the right moment. We thank God for giving us the grace to wait patiently for this day. It’s human nature to always seek a person to admire,

to look up to: a hero,” Llamanzares, head of the Movie, Television Review and Classification Board added.

“What better way to honor a citizen than to have the award conferred by a leader that the Filipino people hold in such highest esteem,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo previously offered to confer the award during her time, but the Poe family declined.

In his speech, Aquino lauded Poe not only for his contribution to the movie industry but also for his selflessness and goodness towards his fellowmen, through the movies that he produced and directed that left such an impact to ordinary Filipinos.

“More than being an actor, writer, producer and director, he was humble, compassionate and helpful,” Aquino said.

With the distinction, Poe now joins the ranks of other National Artists for Cinema that include directors Lamberto Abellana, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero, and Lino Brocka.

Poe, a co-founder of the Movie Workers Welfare Fund (Mowelfund), produced, directed and starred in over 200 films during his lifetime.

Some of his notable films are “Ang Probinsyano,” “Eseng ng Tondo,” “Alamat ng Lawin,” and “Ang Panday.”

Aquino likewise expressed hope that more Filipinos will be inspired to emulate the professionalism, dedication and compassion of Poe into their lives.

“Again, thank you, FPJ. May this award be enough to show much we love and honor you,” Aquino said.


source: philstar.com