Francis Magalona: Ending his Happy Battle and Winning it
Yesterday, while I was watching my favorite and the longest running daily noontime show in the world Eat Bulaga, I was shocked by a bad news announced by Vic Sotto. One of their co-hosts and long time friend (dabarkads) Francis Magalona has just passed away. In case you don’t know him, he is a Filipino music artist who took the nation by storm in 1990 with his new breed of music, Filipino rap music. Although rap music already exists in other countries that time, he was the first one to make a recording album here in the Philippines.
After that giant hit Mga Kababayan Ko (My Fellow Countrymen), a lot of local rap artists followed him. Since most of his songs talk about being nationalistic, it influenced a lot of people especially the youth to love the Philippines more. This eventually started the acceptance of the Filipino audience to local rap music.
Eventually, he gained a lot of respect and earned a lot of awards. He began helping aspiring new breed of rappers, and collaborated with the finest bands like Eraserheads. He also tried venturing into business with his own designed shirts, showing his art and love for his country. But just like his late parents Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran who also made their names in local showbusiness, Francis M also started his career as a movie and TV actor before he became the Master Rapper.
Last August of 2008, he was diagnosed with Leukemia but decided to keep it private. When he announced it publicly, he decided to make a blog and called it Happy Battle. He shared his ordeal with his followers, not only to inform them but also to be aware how it is being treated. Apparently, he did not allow himself to be a prisoner of his disease. While undergoing chemotherapy, he continued to share his talent and support to his fellow musicians.
Now that his happy battle has finally ended, he is being given a lot of tribute for his great contribution to the local music industry. I am only 2 years younger than him, and I am among those who followed his career. I am not really an avid fan of rap music. However, his unique approach and principles in life about being proud to be a Filipino is something to me. He didn’t care if not everybody likes him.
He did not create his music for the sole purpose of selling it, but showing to the world his ideology. He was courageous enough to tell the world that we need change, for the better. Unfortunately, we only see a few artists of today like him. For me, he is not just a trend setter but more of an icon. Yes, his happy battle ended as well as his life but unlike others would think that he lost, I think he won.
To show his gratitude to Philippine National Red Cross that helped him a lot during his battle, donating blood to the said government agency is much preferred than buying flowers for his wake.
To end this post, please allow me to share one of his songs. This is one of the reasons why he deserves the respect, why he deserves a lot of admiration, and why I agree that he is a true blooded Filipino who loves peace and art. This is a slow rap song, but the lyrics tells it all.
Kaleidoscope World
So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most
Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin’ round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world
Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can’t talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don’t ask me how don’t ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most
Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin’ round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world
“I guess if we just loved our country so much we would be willing to die for it. I would. But a dead me is a useless me. I am more useful alive…”
Francis Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009)
Francis Magalona trivia: During the height of Randy Santiago’s career, Francis M put shades (sunglasses) on the picture of Emilio Aguinaldo on a five-peso bill. Somehow, he saw the resemblance of the two faces. Eventually, this became an instant hit and a lot of Randy’s fans imitate him until tons of five-peso bill looked the same. I will never forget this because I made one.
Other similar blog posts
Francis Magalona Succumbs to Cancer
To See You Again Great Icon – A Francis Magalona Tribute
Lay-Offs, Birthday and the Wake of Francis Magalona
Francis M Magalona Dead at 44
Francis Magalona
Francis Magalona- Pinoy Rapper
Farewell, Master Rapper
On the day Francis Magalona died, Eat Bulaga gave away P1M
Francis Magalona Died At 44
Farewell Master Rapper Francis Magalona…
News blog posts
Rapper Francis Magalona passes away by Inquirer
Master Rapper Francis Magalona passes away at 44 by GMA News
Master Rapper Francis M Succumbs to Cancer by ABS CBN
Francis Magalona passes away by Manila Bulletin
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Hi Angel,
This is a geat post and I entirely agree with you. The man is an icon. I didn’t like rap music , but when I heard him, I became an instant fan. My favorite was Mga Kababayan ko, which really encouraged nationalism in our youth and the “Huwag kabg mahihiya kung ang ilong mo ay pango..” (Don’t be ashamed of your snub nose) line is always said when people are shy. May he rest in peace.
Thanks for a well written article. God bless.
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Kaleidoscope World is one of my favorite songs. I really felt sad by the time na narinig ko ang balita about his death.
jheLo’s last blog post..Farewell, Master Rapper
francis m, my idol wherever you are youre still here in our heart… you are still #1 here in south side karapatan hood… we love you…………………….
I’m a fan of Fraancis M and my all-time favorite song is Kaleidescope World too. You can check my post (yun din ang tribute song ko sa kanya).
He was a great man. I am really sad that he died, para nga akong nawalan ng close friend.
By the way, hello Kuya Angel! Met Pinaymomblogger and she speaks highly of you!
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Jena – I really hope that Francis M’s death will not just be another history to talk about, but a a path that we Filipinos should follow through.
Jhelo – I remember that song really hit me the first time I understood the lyrics. It’s talks about life and everything within.
Vincent – I am glad Francis also inspired you somehow. Thanks for finding me.
Snow – I just checked you post and included a link here. I noticed many of us really liked that song. By the way, can you give the URL of Pinaymomblogger? I met a lot of Pinay mom bloggers, and I am not sure if my guess is right. Thanks.
Hi Sir Angel!
thanks for the link!
I have a lot of Francis M song, Kaleidoscope World is one of them.
I never knew it was Francis who started the shades on 5-peso bills. that is a trivia for me, I thought it was a Randy Santiago fan. thanks.
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This is a very nice post Sir Angel.
The name Francis M is synonymous to rap songs that are very nationalistic and I hope his songs to continue to inspire our youth. And the tributes for him also show a man who help and motivate artists to go for their dream. Its good know that a man like him was so generous, even in this fight against cancer, which he choose to share.
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grabe! sayang si francis magalona. while i was watching GMA this saturday, i was crying. kahit konti lang mga alam kong songs nya, naiyak talaga ako. gustong-gusto ko yung song nya na KALEIDOSCOPE WORLD. ang dami pa naman siguro nyang gustong gawin sa buhay nya. ang dami pa nya pwede i-contribute. ang gaganda pa ng mga shirts na ginawa nya.
@Kuya Angel – Her name is Lena of Pinaymomblogs. I happen to get a chance to sit with them in one table with Ronna of A Girl of All Status. ^_^
They also read your blog. ^_^
Does someone who was once accused of using illegal drugs, in fact, he was caught smoking pot inside his car, be eligible for nomination as a National Artist? I have nothing against the man but I think that it’s not fair to those who have received the same recognition. And smoking pot is not something to be proud of nor does it set a good example to our youth. I was once hooked on drugs and I’m not proud of what I have done
Well, yes he was once caught and he is not proud either. But then, I think one can still be awarded for his good deeds. Ang dami ngang magnanakaw sa gobyerno natin e, pero nandun pa rin.
FPJ was also awarded as National Artist for films, but he have many children outside of marriage…
I think what’s more important is he changed and this is what people will remember him for. Nobody’s perfect and smart people know what’s good and bad for them.
Thanks for dropping by.
this is really sad. i was a big fan of his when i was in HS and uni. he will surely be missed
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he will surely be missed by a lot of people.
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i Grow up with his songs in mah head… he was a great artist… sa kanya lang tlga ako na sad of all artist who passed away.. magkikita din tau jan IDOL!!!!
Napakalaki ng naging part nya sa industrya. Sad to say i heard the news from my wife na ninakawan sila. Good Lord bakit sila ganyan.
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paalam francis
lahat n lnungkot sapg k wla nya,pero hndi dun ng tatapos ang isang yugto francis m.isang mensahe lng ang gsto nya, pg ptuloy ntin ang nsimulan pg mamahal sa byan yun ang mga lamn ng knta nya,
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This is kinda sad. I remember couple of his songs, I think I’ll have to look into more of his stuff. Also it’s weird that I usualy get into stuff after the artists die…
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