FPJ statue, interactive sculpture eyed for Ilocos dunes

After a sculpture of Nora Aunor was erected on Ilocos Norte's famous sand dunes, another sculpture immortalizing another Philippine film legend may soon rise there.

Artists Leeroy New and Ralph David are planning to build a sculpture of late action king Fernando Poe Jr., who had also shot many scenes there, GMA Ilocos reported Thursday.

The two are also planning to build an interactive sculpture park in the area as an added attraction.

"Natuwa ako kasi isang karangalan yun sa pagiging Pinoy ko na gawin ang isang batikang aktor," said David.

Poe died in 2004 after suffering a stroke following his defeat to then re-electionist Gloria Arroyo in the presidential elections that year.

The provincial government, for its part, said this could boost its efforts to boost tourism in the area.

It also said the project could encourage filmmakers to shoot scenes for their movies in the province.

In May 2014, Aunor became emotional upon seeing firsthand a sculpture of an iconic film character she portrayed more than 30 years ago.

The sculpture was that of Elsa, the character Aunor portrayed in the 1982 Ishmael Bernal film "Himala."

"Himala" tells the story of Elsa, a barrio girl who has visions of the Virgin Mary. Her visions cause hysteria in the village amid a drought. Scenes from the movie had been filmed in the desert in Paoay. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News