Grace Poe vows to continue FPJ’s fight
Stories of children continuing their parents’ legacy is so common, especially when it comes to politics. In senatorial bet Grace Poe’s case, it’s not so much picking up where her father, King of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) left off–literally. After all, he didn’t get elected president when he ran in 2004.
It’s continuing his dreams of a better life for the poor.
In a recent press conference, Grace recalled how her father gave generously to the needy. She told stories about how a waiter at a Batangas resort approached her and said FPJ built a school. He also built deep wells in NPA (New People’s Army)-infested mountains, among others.
“Ang kapital ko ay ang alalala at popularidad ng mga magulang ko (Grace’s mother is Susan Roces). At hindi ko pwedeng iwaldas ito,” the former chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said.
Dark horse
Grace knows throwing her hat into the political ring for the first time makes her a dark horse.
“Suntok sa buwan,” she admits.
[Related: Grace Poe: No qualms about being 'adopted']
But Grace doesn’t mind. She recalls that her father, a horse racing aficionado, used to tell her that the returns are greater if a dark horse wins. Besides, Grace adds, she’s in a better position to continue FPJ’s fight to alleviate poverty because she has a name to protect.
“I commit myself to a platform that builds on my father’s social covenant,” she said.
She plans to enforce a standardized feeding program in all public schools, focus on organic farming, electoral reforms and create day care centers in all government agencies.
Susan pledged to join Grace’s major campaigns every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, when she (Susan) doesn’t have tapings for a telenovela.
Grace recalls shedding tears when her sister, Lovi Poe, volunteered to campaign for her.
[Related: Lovi supports sister Grace’s Senate bid]
“Hindi naman kami close para tawagan ko siya. Medyo makapal yon. Pero siya mismo ang nagsabi na tutulong siya,” Grace explains.
FPJ events
She urged everyone to join the “Mag-paligaya Poe Tayo Ngayong Pasko!” campaign this holiday season. Through this, Grace hopes to share her blessings by granting a needy person’s Christmas wish.
Those who want their wish, or someone else’s wish to come true must send their name, email address, mobile number, age, name of the person the wish is for, background about the said person, the wish itself, why the wish was made and what makes the person deserving to teamgracepoe@yahoo.com on or before Saturday, Dec. 8. The winner will be announced on Friday, Dec. 14, FPJ’s death anniversary.
[Related: LT To Occupy MTRCB Chair Post Next Year?]
Meanwhile, the “Share Your FPJ Moment” contest encourages FPJ fans to share their experiences with the King of Philippine Movies and their thoughts on why he is their favorite movie star.
Those who want to join must like the Team Grace Poe Facebook page as registration entry. They must post their photo with FPJ and accompany it with a short description on the said Facebook page. Pictures of family members and FPJ followed by a short description are also accepted. All photos must bear the contestant’s full name, home address and contact number.
