AJLPP Update
March 7, 2009

Francis Magalona: People’s Artist, 44

Los Angeles- The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) together with the Filipino American community in the United States mourns the passing of The 44-year-old musician, songwriter, record producer, actor and TV host Francis Magalona.last March 6, 2009

Francis Magalona was a foremost- a nationalist artist who loved his country. He was also known as the “master Rapper” .He was recognized for his painstaking efforts to elevate Pinoy rap beyond its novelty phase in the local music scene.

The AJLPP recognizes Magalona who did not only lived for show business but also integrated his patriotic fervor in his life and his music and contributed a lot to its culture and arts. In the Philippines, rap was considered novelty music until Magalona came along. Magalona—influenced and made it as a commentary on Pinoy life and culture.

Magalona recorded his debut album “Yo!” in 1990. The album became a hit with the single “Mga Kababayan,” whose lyrics about racial pride and love of country stirred nationalist fervor at a time when the Philippine government was besieged by a series of military revolts.

His parents, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, were film and TV matinee idols of the ’40s and ’50s. Pancho Magalona held the distinction of the First Filipino movie actor to appear in Hollywood. He was also known for starring in nationalist fims life “El Flibusterismo” and “Jikiri”

Throughout his music career, Magalona released some 10 albums with various labels, most recently with Sony BMG Philippines. A recent recording, “The F Word,” was independently released on his own label in MP3 format and was marketed for free with a purchase of items from his newly launched garment retail brand FrancisM Clothing Corp.

Multimedia career

His business venture was one of the fruits of a successful multimedia career, which included acting in films, a stint as VJ on MTV and co-hosting on the longest-running daily noontime TV program “Eat Bulaga,” a job which he maintained until he went down with leukemia.

He also took up photography, a hobby that became another passion when he started contributing to the Inquirer and a tourist magazine. He was overjoyed when he was accepted as a member of the prestigious Camera Club of the Philippines.

January this year, he started work on an album dubbed “The Sickos Project,” proceeds of which were to help indigent people with diseases such as leukemia.

Former President Cory Aquino visited his wake. The former president is close to Pia Arroyo, Francis wife who stood with the president during her campaign against Marcos in 1983.

Magalona is survived by his wife Pia—whom he met at a party in a disco owned by the late film director Ishmael Bernal—and children Unna, Nicolo, Maxene, Francis Jr., Saab, Elmo, Arkin and Clara.

From Funeraria Paz, his remains will be brought to the Christ The King parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City. He will be laid to rest on Tuesday, March 9, 2009.

Francis Magalona, may you rest in peace in the glory for your people!