FPJ’s last Christmas gift to Susan

Not many people know that a few weeks before he died on Dec. 14 last year, FPJ had prepared a "surprise" gift for his wife, Susan Roces, but it remained unopened until March this year when Susan was interviewed for the premiere episode of the GMA Saturday-evening show, Showbiz Stripped.

It’s a jukebox, filled with the couple’s favorite songs (in 45 rpm discs), kept at the canteen of the FPJ Studio on Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City, where FPJ suffered a massive stroke on Dec. 11.

Followed by a TV camera, Susan was smiling nervously as she approached the canteen. Her expression turned serious as she watched a studio hand remove the wrapper, barely holding back her tears as she saw the jukebox for the first time.

Yes, the jukebox, FPJ’s last Christmas gift to Susan, has remained where it was and not included among the FPJ Memorabilia which was unveiled Tuesday (Dec. 14) last week at the MOWELFUND Compound in Quezon City. It’s not for public viewing, you know, and Susan is keeping it perhaps for her own viewing – and listening – pleasure.

Also, not many people know that Dec. 13 marked the date when Susan and FPJ eloped 37 years ago. They got married in civil rites on Dec. 16 of the same year and in church on Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 1968).

Like last year, Susan is marking Christmas Day and their 37th wedding anniversary reminiscing happy days with FPJ, with relatives keeping her company, including niece Sheryl Cruz and husband Norman John Bustos (and daughter). Susan’s daughter Mary Grace left a few days ago for the US where she’s spending Christmas with her husband, Neil Llamanzares, and their children.

Except for the annual family bingo (last year, it was FPJ himself who wrapped the gifts at stake and for the raffle), things will go on as usual – the noche buena, family reunion, etc.

"I know that, even if he’s gone, Ronnie will be with us," said Susan. "I know he will be."

On this page and the succeeding one are photos of some special guests during the blessing of the FPJ Memorabilia and of the precious items on display.

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