Roosevelt Station under the LRT1 line will be renamed in honor of Fernando Poe Jr. in accordance with R.A.: 11608. Photo courtesy of Philippine Star.
Starting on August 20, the Roosevelt Station in the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 will be officially labeled as Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Station.
This is in accordance with the Republic Act No. 11608, a law ordering the station to be renamed after a late Filipino action star. Said act was signed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020, which was authored by Senator Manuel ‘’Lito’’ Lapid and sponsored by former Senate President Tito Sotto III.
Sen. Mary Grace Poe, the late actor’s daughter, Lapid, and Sotto will take over the renaming event alongside Light Rail Management Corporation (LRMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Juan Alfonso and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista.
Additionally, a new marker honoring the late FPJ, whose 84th birthday is also celebrated on August 20, will be displayed at the occasion.
"I hope people remember FPJ whenever they board this train. Public service has always been in FPJ's heart. Giving commuters a safe and comfortable ride is a way of keeping his legacy alive," Poe remarked.
FPJ was an actor, movie director, producer, screenwriter and politician who once resided along Roosevelt Avenue.
He appeared in 300 films throughout the course of his 46-year acting career and was subsequently dubbed to be the "King of Philippine Movies." He also became a National Artist for Film in 2012.
The legislation, according to Senator Poe, provided his father’s contribution and legacy a sense of belongingness in Philippine history.
The LRMC reopened the newly retitled station in December 2022 following its closure in 2020 to make room for the construction of the P3 billion Unified Grand Central Station, which will connect the LRT-1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3, and Line 7.