ThOuGhTs

An Icon Faces the Real Icon

The night of 5-March-2009, I was having a ball watching 'The Graham Norton Show' because of his versatile comedic ways, when a text message from my brother shifted my emotions from fifth gear to first:

"R.I.P to the Master Rapper Francis Magalona, died of Leukemia March 6 2009 at noon."

I didn't even know whether to reply or not; I can't even stand up from what I just found out. I struggled to search every Filipino channel's website I can think of but to no avail thanks to the house's internet connection, and in the meantime, tears were falling down my cheeks. I have a knowledge of him battling the disease but his sudden death is unbelievable.

In the 80's, I as a child used to listen to the famous hit makers like Julio Iglesias, The Beatles, Lionel Richie and of course, who can forget the British 'New Wave' tune? From Tears for Fears to OMD to A-Ha, I enjoyed strutting what my mom gave me whenever I hear them on the airwaves. But this particular man I am blogging about is not only my favorite, but he's also the only rapper I know that never promoted sex, drugs and violence in his music.

Francis Magalona was the son of the famous actor and actress in the Philippines during the 60's. He didn't let his parents' fame and fortune affect his ego and remained humble and sweet until the very end. He introduced break dancing and soon after, he decided to pursue rap music. But unlike the rap music now, his lyrics were mostly about nationalism and everyday life. I remember having one of his albums and listening to it almost everyday. On one of his songs, 'Mga Praning' (The Insane Ones)he talked about 7 different people who used crystal meth and the aftermath that each of them experienced. The other song which is my favorite of all time is 'Kaleidoscope World', about the world and people in different walks of life. Acting, painting and photography are some of the talents that he also shared. And most of all, he became a very good son, husband and a father.

There was no stopping this man from delivering his sincere patriotism to his country and becoming one of the country's best influences of all time. But as we all know, we will never know what lies ahead until it's there. ON August 8, 2008 he confirmed on national TV that he was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Despite of it, he faced it bravely by sharing his journey on his blog: www.happybattle.net., and he never let his sickness slow him down. And of course, with his family's, friends' and fans' support and prayers, he was able to go through with a smile on his face.

He quoted on his blog that "Cancer isn't about death, it's about LIFE, and today I embrace and celebrate that life." He succumbed to the sickness at a tender age of 44. And now, he faces the Real Icon in the pearly gates. He'll always be remembered and will surely be missed.



Kaleidoscope World - A Tribute to Mr. Francis Magalona - Awesome video clips here

posted by kate buenconsejo @ 7:39 PM