After 6 months battling leukemia, Master Rapper, actor and TV host Francis Magalona, died Friday, March 6, 2009 at 12:20 pm at the Medical City hospital in Pasig City. He was 44.
Official cause of death was acute myelogenous leukemia.
The rapper even requested for blood donations to replace the blood he was using at the Medical City hospital in Ortigas Avenue where he was being treated.
“I have been diagnosed with leukemia and I am preparing for my treatment. Sa tulong ng Panginoon, kakayanin ko po ito,” he said. “Abangan nyo ang aking pagbabalik. ‘Di ko lang kayo ‘miss’… LOVE KO kayong lahat.”
According to Pep.ph, Francis’s death was announced on national television by Vic Sotto in Eat Bulaga! a few minutes after 12:00 n.n. Before his treatment, Francis used to co-host the longest-running noontime show being aired on GMA-7.
A few minutes after his death was announced, QC vice mayor Herbert Bautista, Michael V, and Ogie Alcasid were spotted at Medical City in Pasig City.
His remains lie in state at the Funeraria Paz in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. The family requested for privacy. They also asked that instead of flowers and mass cards, cash and blood donations to Philippine Red Cross will be greatly appreciated.
Tomorrow, his remains will be brought to Christ The King Memorial Chapel in Greenmeadows, Quezon City, where the fans can already see their idol for the last time.
Through Pia Guanio’s report in 24 Oras earlier tonight, March 6, Francis’s wife, Pia Arroyo, relayed this request. Pia Arroyo said that she didn’t want her husband’s death go to waste and that they must help people who are suffering with the similar illness Francis had.
Pia announced that Francis’s remains would be open to the public for viewing tomorrow, March 7, 2009, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Christ the King in Greenmeadows Avenue. The wake would go on from that day until Tuesday, March 10, next week.
Pia has requested that there be no on-cam interviews from her for now, but she wanted to tell the public that she is doing really fine. Right now, she and her mother are doing the necessary preparations for the Francis’s wake tomorrow.
Francis Magalona’s friends Herbert Bautista, Michael V., Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon, Ogie Alcasid, all were interviewed early on TV as feeling a big loss with the demise of their friend.
Magalona was a regular host of the noon time show “Eat Bulaga.”
“We will surely miss him, pati na ang buong industriya. We request everyone to pause for a moment of prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Francis. Our condolences to the family. Kiko, we love you,” Sotto said.
The stars of the popular noontime show broke into tears as they prayed for the soul of Magalona.
The 44-year-old Magalona was the son of 1950′s legendary actors and celebrity couple Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.
Launched as a teen star in the 1980s, Magalona’s career boomed with his hit rap song “Mga Kababayan,” which was included in his album “Yo!” released in 1990.
He was also the voice behind the hits “Ito ang Gusto Ko,” “Meron Akong Ano,” “Mga Praning,” and “Kaleidoscope World.”
Francis M left behind is wife Pia Arroyo and their eight children–Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actress Maxene Magalona.
I dont usually watch eat bulaga, It’s been a long time since I last watched the show, Im more of a ” kapamilya” fan now.. But I do respect Francis Magalona and have been listening to his songs way back in the past. He was a gift sent to us by God, and he became what God wants him to be..He has written beautiful songs that has touched many lives including myself, and many people’s lives. It was because of him that many rappers or aspiring rappers were known to us now.. He was a good man and he lived his life to the fullest. May God gives his family the strength and the will to fight what he has started. Im proud to be a Filipino because of Francis Magalona. Sadly, this summer the Filipino’s who loves you and supported you will have their ” cold summer night ” and that includes me.. You will be missed.. God bless.