The Roosevelt station in the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 has officially been renamed after the late “King of the Philippine movies” Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ on Sunday, Aug. 20.
The late movie icon’s daughter Senator Grace Poe led the ceremonial renaming rites where she unveiled the marker of the LRT-1 FPJ station.
The renaming coincided with FPJ’s celebration of his 84th birthday.
TINGNAN: Unveiling ng station signage sa LRT-1 bilang 'Fernando Poe Jr. | RH 05 Val Gonzales @dzrh5 #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/V8hByzmlHb
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) August 20, 2023
The name changes was also made a year after former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law the bill renaming Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon after FPJ.
In her speech, Poe recognized and thanked lawmakers who became an instrument in passing Republic Act No. 11608 or an Act renaming Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City.
Roosevelt Avenue was FPJ's ancestral home where he spent his childhood years.
TINGNAN: Sen. Grace Poe pinasalamatan at kinikilala ang mga naging instrumento para maisabatas ang RA No. 11608 na naglalayong ipangalan ang Roosevelt Avenue kay Fernando Poe Jr., kung saan matatagpuan ang LT-1 station | RH 05 Val Gonzales @dzrh5 #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/53wAkM6fSN
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) August 20, 2023
In a Facebook post, the Senator said she hoped that Filipino passengers will remember the "Da King" every time they arrive and depart in FPJ station.
“Isang hamon para sa DOTr at LRTA ang pagbibigay ng maayos at komportableng byahe ay isang paraan ng pagbibigay-pugay sa kanyang legasiya,” Poe added.
Also present during the ceremonial event were Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez, Senator Lito Lapid, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, former Senate president Tito Sotto, Quezon City's 1st District Representative Juan Carlos 'Arjo' Atayde, and actor Coco Martin.
FPJ passed away in 2004 after he suffered stroke. He was 65 years old.
Two years after his death, he was posthumously declared as National Artist of the Philippines.
