Mystique's Moments: Master Rapper Francis M. Passed Away

I was watching the local TV noon time show “Eat Bulaga” when the program was suddenly interrupted to give way for a very important announcement. Even before the announcement was made I knew then that it was something bad. All the hosts were on stage except for Joey De Leon which we knew later on was still on his way to the station at that time. The ominous atmosphere was quite apparent and they all exuded the aura of someone who just heard a bad news. Vic Sotto, one of the main hosts, made the first public announcement that Master Rapper Francis Magalona, who happens to be his dear friend and also a co-host of the said variety show died reportedly at 12 NN of March 06, 2009 due to acute myelogenous leukemia “secondary to severe sepsis and secondary to pneumonia,”. He was 44.

Francis Michael Magalona born on October 4, 1964 is the son of popular 1950s movie tandem Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. He was a famous Filipino rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. Also hailed as the “King of Pinoy Rap” and considered as a legend in the Philippine music industry; Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., an actor, extended his condolences to the Magalona family and paid tribute to the master rapper, saying the country had lost a "modern day artist." "The country has lost a modern-day artist, a nationalist in his own creative way," he said.

According to the news, the acclaimed rapper-musician was rushed to the Medical City on Thursday night. He was “intubated” upon admission and placed in the Intensive Care Unit at 3 a.m. Friday. He was described as “toxic” during the early hours of Friday. Doctors still managed to administer chemotherapy on Magalona however; he expired before a bone marrow transplant could be scheduled.

Francis had been undergoing several chemotherapy sessions since he was diagnosed with leukemia in August last year but was too weak to fight the infection. I was even able to follow his chemo sessions since he blogged about it on his multiply site. He was supposed to perform “Superproxy” with the Eraserheads in the band’s reunion concert, “The Final Set” at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City tomorrow, Saturday. He had been in collaboration with Eraserheads and Pupil frontman Ely Buendia for an album to be released this year.

Telecommunications giant PLDT also scheduled in April a golf tournament fund-raiser for Magalona.

Francis M. is survived by his wife Pia, and eight children Maxene, Saab, Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, and Clara.

Filipinos mourn the loss of a great and exceptional artist. Yet, we know that his legacy in music and fashion to promote love of country among Filipino youth will live forever.

As my own simple way of paying tribute to this great Filipino artist, I'll be sharing with you one of his songs "Kaleidoscope World" which happens to be one of my all time favorites.