Veteran actress Janice Jurado loved the late king of Philippine movies Fernando Poe Jr.
Jurado opened up about her six-year relationship with Poe, the beloved action star and a former presidential candidate, which lasted until his death in 2004.
“Nagkaroon kami ng relasyon ni FPJ,” she said during an interview with broadcaster Julius Babao on his YouTube program released on Friday, September 1.
Asked if she was in love with the Da King, Jurado said: “Kasi mabait siyang tao. Pero alam ko naman kung saan ako lalagay.”
“Hindi lang sa akin mabait si FPJ napakabait, matulungin siya. Nagkaroon man kami ng relasyon hindi yung relasyon talaga na number 2 ka. Hindi ganoon,” she added.
When asked earlier if her relationship with Poe was more of friendship, Jurado said: “More on friendship.”
She reminisced about the good times with Poe during the interview. She claimed that Poe was fond of her since she’s a comedian and he enjoyed good laughs. Poe often invited her to friends’ gatherings and memorable drinking sessions.
“Ako kainuman nun. Malakas akong uminom. Ang babaw ang kaligayahan nun. Talagang tawa nang tawa. Pag ‘yun pag sinumulan mo ng tawa, talagang pack up ka. Hindi titigil ‘yun,” she said.
Poe’s wife, the late actress Susan Roces, meanwhile had no inkling about their secret connection.
“Hindi bulgar ang aming relasyon,” Jurado said, wanting to show respect for the family.
When some people pressed her about the rumors surrounding her relationship with Poe, Jurado claimed dodging such questions since she did not want to ruin the actor’s family.
She said Poe’s daughters, Senator Grace Poe and actress Lovi Poe, eventually knew about her relationship with their father. “Pero hindi nila ako nakitang bumabalandra. Hindi nila ako nakikitang kumakalat kalat doon,” she said.
In the same interview, Jurado spoke about Poe’s generosity especially on the film set.
“Hindi muna siya kakain hangga’t hindi kumakain ang crew at ang leading lady niya. Ganoon siya kabait sobra,” she said. “Kung ano pagkain niya, pagkain ng lahat,” she added.
Jurado also bared that she was among those present when Poe suffered a stroke. It happened a during a celebration at FPJ’s film compound believing Poe had won the 2004 presidential elections. A phone call changed everything, and Poe felt unwell. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he passed away a few days later.
Poe, who refused to concede the presidential polls to winner Gloria Arroyo amid fraud allegations, died on December 14, 2004.
Secret revealed: Janice Jurado gets candid about ‘display-only’ relationship with FVR
