Francis Magalona, considered the father of Pinoy Rap, passed away quietly last March 6,2009 (friday) at Medical City Hospital in Mandaluyong after waging a battle against leukemia for almost a year. He was 44. The singer-TV host’s death was announced today on the GMA-7 noontime program, Eat Bulaga, where he had served as a co-host for many years.
For the past several months, Magalona had been undergoing chemotherapy while awaiting a scheduled bone marrow transplant. His condition worsened Thursday night, necessitating confinement at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Magalona was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2008. Not wanting to turn his sickness into a media circus, he appealed for privacy even as he also asked friends and the public to donate blood. The response, according to his family, was overwhelming.His wife, Pia Arroyo-Magalona, said the disease manifested itself gradually, almost unnoticeably. Doctors raised the family’s hope, saying the rapper’s condition was treatable.
Magalona is arguably the country’s first rapper, who paved the way for the genre’s acceptance among Filipinos. He is also generally regarded as the inventor and pioneer of original Rap Music in the Philippines.
Breaking away from the mould of matinee idols in the late 80s, he composed and recorded songs, done in the key of rap, which tackled non-traditional issues. A full-time actor before shifting to singing, he appeared in a number of youth-oriented movies, among them Bagets 2.
He was also a staunch nationalist, who wrote songs like Mga Kababayan, Halalan, Tayo’y Mga Pinoy, which rallied Pinoys to love their country and respect one another.
He was also a staunch nationalist, who wrote songs like Mga Kababayan, Halalan, Tayo’y Mga Pinoy, which rallied Pinoys to love their country and respect one another.
Francis M. left behind a wealth of hit songs that have earned him the title, King of Rap. Among these trailblazing hits are Meron Akong Ano, Mga Praning, Cool Summer Nights, etc.
Francis Magalona was among nine children by former actors Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. The multi-talented youth first gained notice as a breakdancer, then actor, until he launched the groundbreaking album, Yo!, in 1990. Yo! became the first commercially released rap album in the Philippines.
Francis Magalona was among nine children by former actors Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. The multi-talented youth first gained notice as a breakdancer, then actor, until he launched the groundbreaking album, Yo!, in 1990. Yo! became the first commercially released rap album in the Philippines.
"I will protect my kids till the day I die"-Francis M.
paalam Francis M. you will always be remembered...
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