Around GMA

Former Nueva Ecija Mayor nabbed in buy-bust
YEARENDER: Calamities that hit W. Visayas, NegOcc in 2025
Heart Evangelista teases new project on social media

Article Inside Page

Showbiz News

A pop icon, talented musician, and the idol of many fans, Francis M. will always be remembered.
Update: Instead of flower arrangements and Mass cards, Pia Arroyo-Magalona asks the fans of her husband to give cash or blood donations instead to the Philippine National Red Cross. She says she doesn't want Francis's death to be meaningless, and noted that the PNRC was very helpful to Francis throughout his fight against cancer. --- Tanghali ng March 6, 2009 nang i-announce ni Vic Sotto sa Eat Bulaga ang pagpanaw ng Man From Manila, Francis Magalona.
In August 2008, the Master Rapper was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a diagnosis that took him temporarily out of the limelight. Although he returned and even performed in the noontime show last October 25, by November 2008, he had to be re-confined sa hospital, and had been in and out since then. Last January 2009, he posted on his blog that he will be undergoing his fourth chemotherapy session. Through his Fanatxt messages, he kept his fans updated, and told them that he will be having a marrow transplant operation this month. Throughout it all, Francis remained steadfast in his faith -- never wavering. Here’s what he answered when asked by iGMA.tv in an exclusive interview as to what keeps him strong. "The Lord, I always pray to him, my children and family, and all the people who have been praying for me -- my followers, supporters, of course, Eat Bulaga family—they've been with me throughout this journey, and I'm still undergoing treatment -- in December I'll do my third chemotherapy treatment for the year. This is all part of maintenance program." Pop icon Francis Magalona was not just a celebrity -- he was a pop culture icon. The son of Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, Francis definitely had entertainment in his blood. At the age of 20, he already started performing -- first as a break-dancer, hanggang sa nagsimula siyang lumabas bilang aktor sa ilang mga Filipino movies. By the ‘90s, Francis M had already entered the world of emceeing, before releasing his groundbreaking album, ang Yo!. This album featured the hit “Mga Kababayan” na hanggang ngayon ay theme song ng mga nationalistic and proud na mga Pinoy. Throughout his career, he had released nine albums, including Rap is Francis M., Meron Akong Ano!, Freeman, The Oddventures of Mr. Cool and the greatest hits compilation The Best of FrancisM. He was supposed to release his first studio album of eight years this 2009. Currently titled F Word,he was building it up with eight limited-edition only single releases that when pieced together would form his image. Francis continued to juggle his acting and singing career from the ‘90s onwards. But he has added new titles under his belt: MTV VJ, host, Philippine Idol judge, entrepreneur, painter and photographer. The most fulfilling titles for him though, was being a husband and father.
Family man The Master Rapper found his mate for life in Pia Arroyo-Magalona, and with her, he raised eight children: Unna, Maxene, Saab, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin and Clara. Being one of the more exposed to the limelight, hindi naiwasan na matanong lagi si Maxene Magalona tungkol sa kanyang dad. And gaya ni Francis M., Maxene has always remained positive sa kanyang mga statements. "The family is actually very thankful na my dad is so loved," she said in a previous interview with iGMA. "Ang daming tumutulong, ang daming sumu-suporta. I just want to encourage everyone to keep praying pa rin for my dad. ‘Yun 'yung mas nakakapagpagaling sa kanya, ‘yung prayers kaya sana, wag nilang i-stop 'yung pag-pray nila." Dagdag pa nga niya noon, "Instead of looking at it in a negative way, I see this as a positive thing, kasi mas naging close ‘yung family namin," she noted. Maxene adds that because of what happened, their bond as a family became closer and stronger. “So feeling ko this is a sign na we need to be more in touch, and it definitely brought us closer to one another. Lagi ko [na] siyang kinakamusta." A pop icon, talented musician, and the idol of many fans, Francis M. will always be remembered. -- Text and photos by Jason S. Lim