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MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine movie legend Fernando Poe Jr, who came close to defeating Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in May's presidential race, died on Tuesday after suffering a stroke, his spokeswoman and political supporters said.
Known across the country as FPJ and "Da King," Poe fell into a coma after he was hospitalized on Sunday. He had earlier hosted a party at his film studio for politicians, movie friends and campaign backers.
"It's with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Fernando Poe Jr," his family said in a statement read to reporters by his spokeswoman Susan Tagle. "The family thank the people for their prayers and support."
"FPJ has just passed away," Francis Escudero, Poe's campaign spokesman, said in a mobile phone text message.
Poe starred in more than 200 films since the 1950s, usually as the strong, silent hero who beat up the bad guys in movies such as "Muslim Magnum .357" or the children's epic "Ang Panday," about a blacksmith who crafts a magical sword.
He came within three percent of unseating Arroyo as president in May's election. The poor masses flocked to see Poe at campaign rallies but his vague plans for the economy made analysts and investors nervous.
"I'm sad because FPJ is dead," Antony Pamintuan, a movie fan and political supporter of Poe, said outside the hospital. "He was a very good man."
Reporters at the hospital said Poe's family and close friends were distressed and crying. The adopted daughter of Poe and actress Susan Roces arrived at the hospital from the United States just after he died, they said.
"No word on the wake and burial site," movie writer and Poe supporter Armada Sighing-Reyna said.
Politicians and film stars had rushed to the actor's bedside on Sunday, including former first lady Imelda Marcos and former president Corazon Aquinas, who left a string of rosary beads purported to have healing powers.
Joseph Estrada, a former movie star who was ousted as the country's president by street protests in 2001, was allowed out of detention by the anti-graft court to visit his close friend in hospital for about an hour on Sunday.
Thousands of ordinary Filipinos had held prayer vigils in Roman Catholic churches across the country.
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