FPJ monument unveiled

THE 9-ft bronze statue of the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. stands along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

THE CITY of Manila on Friday unveiled a bronze monument to the late Fernando Poe Jr. to mark the eight death anniversary of the action king.

“My family is thankful to the City of Manila for concretizing the recognition to my father in such a big way,” former MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Poe’s daughter, said at the unveiling and wreath-laying ceremony along Roxas Boulevard across the US Embassy.

A Mass was also held at his tomb at the Manila North Cemetery where bitter rivals for the Manila mayoral post, incumbent Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada, shook hands.

Llamanzares said “although we don’t know when justice will be served,” the monument was “a symbol of hope that the truth will eventually come out.”

The 9-ft bronze statue by sculptor Jonas Roces shows Poe wearing a barong Tagalog and waving with his right hand. Inscribed at the bottom are the words, “Tunay na Pangulo sa puso ng nakararaming Pilipino.” Erika Sauler