Goodbye Man From Manila
I've been reading Francis Magalona's blogsite the past five hours. I can't help but be amazed with his faith and strength as he documented everything that he was going through while getting treatment for leukemia. The man had lived a full life and was ready to embrace death at any point. Last Friday, March 6, 2009 at around 12 noon, Master Rapper Francis Magalona died at age 44.
Francis is a music icon. He was the first Filipino artist to launch a full-length album, thus earned the title "Master Rapper of the Philippines. My brother had a cassette tape of his first album "Yo!". From playing a supporting role in Bagets 2, Francis became a household name when his first album came out. I was in grade 5 when every one sang and danced to the tune of "Mga Kababayan Ko". Back then, I didn't realize what the song was about. All I know was I executed "running man", "scissors" & "Roger Rabbit" very well. I also knew the song by heart. That time I also had a crush and was singing "Cold Summer Nights" just in my head. He went on to making other songs like "Kabataan para sa Kinabukasan", "Man from Manila","Girl Be Mine" & "Kaleidoscope World". He also collaborated with other artists like Parokya ni Edgar, Gloc 9 and Ely Buendia among others.
Francis opened the door for other rap artists. What sets him apart is that most of his songs promoted nationalism and patriotism. His songs mirror the life of most Filipinos. He always had a message of truth and hope. The song that had a big impact to me was "Kaleidoscope World", released in 1996. My bestfriend Lei sings this emphatically. "Kaleidoscope World" had a very powerful meaning.
Francis referred to his illness as his "Happy Battle". Everything was in his blogsite up to the last night where he was set to have his fourth chemotherapy session the next day. That chemotherapy session was supposed to prepare him for his bone marrow transplant scheduled this month.
Unfortunately, Francis was not able to live through his illness and succumbed to pneumonia, a complication of his leukemia. But still, Francis is a survivor. He did not lose hope and went on to fight to the very last day for the people who love him the most, his family.
Francis has been and will always be an inspiration to the youth. His work and music will live on forever. The Master Rapper has finally gone home to THE MASTER.
Francis is a music icon. He was the first Filipino artist to launch a full-length album, thus earned the title "Master Rapper of the Philippines. My brother had a cassette tape of his first album "Yo!". From playing a supporting role in Bagets 2, Francis became a household name when his first album came out. I was in grade 5 when every one sang and danced to the tune of "Mga Kababayan Ko". Back then, I didn't realize what the song was about. All I know was I executed "running man", "scissors" & "Roger Rabbit" very well. I also knew the song by heart. That time I also had a crush and was singing "Cold Summer Nights" just in my head. He went on to making other songs like "Kabataan para sa Kinabukasan", "Man from Manila","Girl Be Mine" & "Kaleidoscope World". He also collaborated with other artists like Parokya ni Edgar, Gloc 9 and Ely Buendia among others.
Francis opened the door for other rap artists. What sets him apart is that most of his songs promoted nationalism and patriotism. His songs mirror the life of most Filipinos. He always had a message of truth and hope. The song that had a big impact to me was "Kaleidoscope World", released in 1996. My bestfriend Lei sings this emphatically. "Kaleidoscope World" had a very powerful meaning.
Francis referred to his illness as his "Happy Battle". Everything was in his blogsite up to the last night where he was set to have his fourth chemotherapy session the next day. That chemotherapy session was supposed to prepare him for his bone marrow transplant scheduled this month.
Unfortunately, Francis was not able to live through his illness and succumbed to pneumonia, a complication of his leukemia. But still, Francis is a survivor. He did not lose hope and went on to fight to the very last day for the people who love him the most, his family.
Francis has been and will always be an inspiration to the youth. His work and music will live on forever. The Master Rapper has finally gone home to THE MASTER.
Long live Man from Manila!
posted by rhaych @ 10:10 PM
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