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Francis Magalona, even at age 44, maintained his
young boyish appeal that as a teenager easily won him stardom.
Francis M, as the Filipino rapper
is popularly called, died Friday of acute myelogenous leukemia at
the Medical City Hospital around noon. He was diagnosed with
leukemia seven months ago.
He answered to the monicker
“Pop” that daughter Maxine fondly calls him.
He has a brood of eight by his
wife Pia Arroyo, and even as “Pop,” his fans will always
remember him as the “King of Pinoy Rap.”
In 2004, The Manila Times wrote
of Francis M: “Heir to fame and talent himself, Magalona sees his
children taking the reigns of the family business one day. Frank
already does much in creating the lineup for his father’s radio
programs Word Up and Back in the Day at radio station Power 108 FM,
on top of doing film work for his father’s outfit. Elmo, young as
he is, has come out in several commercials already. And Maxine
sharpens her innate talent with each movie she makes. Their mother
Pia manages their careers, just as she does their father’s.”
When Magalona was diagnosed.
“I don’t want a media
circus,” he had said. “I want privacy with my family. What I’d
rather talk about is how we can solicit blood donations to replace
the supply that I have consumed in the hospital.”
His friends and colleagues in the
entertainment industry were saddened by the news of his death, just
a few days after his fourth chemotherapy and a few days before his
supposed stem cell transplant.
Borne by stars
Born on October 4, 1964, Magalona
was the son of late popular 1950s movie tandem, Pancho Magalona and
Tita Duran.
In the 1980s, Magalona started
his career as a break-dancer. He later shifted to acting following
his parents’ footsteps.
In 1990, he released his single
“Mga Kababayan” under the groundbreaking album Yo!, the first
commercially released Filipino rap album, which was well-received by
the public. He then went on to make several critically acclaimed
albums.
Magalona made rap a Filipino art
form with his social commentary and his nationalist themes
(“1-800-Ninety Six”). Well beyond the egotism and lewdness of
other rap entertainers, his songwriting was insightful and empathic
(“Girl be Mine”). He had the good sense and taste to sample the
Beatles (“Kaleidoscope World”) and remix the Eraserheads
(“Whole Lotta Lovin”). Influences that have enriched his music,
such as nu metal (“Three Stars and a Sun”) and soul (“Lab
Song”) made him one of the most progressive musicians of the time.
Personal demons
Magalona struggled with substance
abuse, but he had been sober since 2001. After attending Narcotics
Anonymous, he quit smoking and drinking.
On June 16, 2004, Magalona was
acquitted of possession of illegal drugs by Branch 95 of the
Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, following the negative results
on his drug test. “No more sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll,” he
said then.
Few are privy to his childhood,
growing up as he did from a large brood. He said he recalled his
father to be strict and unaffectionate. His father was a drinker and
a smoker who died of emphysema.
But unlike his father, Magalona
was a loving husband to wife Pia Arroyo and a doting father to his
eight children.
“He’s one of the kids,” his
daughter Maxine had said.
Working till the end
In 2009, during the last few
months of his fight against leukemia, Magalona recorded an album
with various OPM artists entitled The Sickos Project. The album also
included former Eraserheads front man Ely Buendia who was also
dealing with health issues at that time.
During a press conference held
for their upcoming concert, Buendia expressed his admiration of
Magalona saying that the King of Pinoy rap was an inspiration by
continuing to work regardless of his condition. Buendia said that he
too should be able to perform for their concert considering that his
health problems are not as severe as the ones faced by Magalona.
In the last public blog entry on
Magalona’s Multiply account, he stated that he is getting ready
for his fourth chemotherapy session.
“I look forward to the pain,”
Magalona wrote in the blog, “as I know my journey is on full speed
ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from
you all. Please pray for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as
always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all
our prayers. To His will I submit myself.”
His family announced that
Magalona’s remains would be open for public viewing from 6 a.m. to
6 p.m. today at the Christ the King Church on Green Meadows in
Quezon City.
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