POE: LET US REMEMBER FPJ'S LEGACY OF GENEROSITY

Sen. Grace Poe and her mother, award-winning actress Susan Roces, led friends and supporters of the late National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. in commemorating his 15th death anniversary with a call to rekindle his legacy of generosity and hope.

"Magpa-Pasko ngayon, siguro ang magandang alaala tungkol kay FPJ 'yung pagiging mapagbigay niya sa ating mga kababayan," Poe said.

Poe said the best way to remember her father would be to continue his selfless concern for others.

"Huwag nating kalilimutan ang pagkalinga, pagtulong, pagiging magalang, 'yung mga naging kaugalian ni FPJ," she added.

Amid the challenges faced by the Filipinos in their daily lives, Poe said her father had the spirit of never giving up and being hopeful for brighter things ahead.

"Ang tatay ko, palagi niyang sinasabi, huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Sa munting paraan natin kung anuman ang ating magagawa, pribadong mamamayan tayo o sa gobyerno, dapat ang uunahin natin, 'yung makakabuti sa ating mga kababayan," she said.

Poe thanked their family and friends for joining them in remembering FPJ in a simple gathering at the Manila North Cemetery on Saturday morning.

Supporters of FPJ came from various parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, like the group from Quezon, who travelled for more than seven hours to be with the Poe family.

Poe and Roces also distributed gifts to the children after the mass celebrated by Fr. Larry Faraon.

Faraon said FPJ should be remembered for what he died for.

"Kung siya ay buhay ngayon, siguradong patuloy pa rin siyang maglilingkod sa ating lahat," Faraon said.

Annabella Florido, 65, an FPJ supporter from Lopez, Quezon, said they left their town around 9 p.m. Friday and arrived at the cemetery at 4 a.m. Saturday. She said they did not mind the long travel just to be with FPJ.

"Taun-taon pumupunta kami dito tuwing death anniversary ni FPJ. Habang kaya ko pa, palagi ko siyang dadalawin dahil napakabuti niyang tao lalo na sa tulad naming maliliit," Florido said.