Two days ago March 6, 2009, one of the Philippines' Music Icon joined our Creator...he is 44 years old and his name is Francis Magallona or Francis M. or Kiko for people in his close circle of friends. Also known as the Master Rapper and The Man From Manila . Other than being a prominent Filipino rapper, he is also a prolific songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. Often hailed as the "King of Pinoy Rap", he was considered a legend in the Philippine music community. With the success of his earliest albums, he was the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines cross over to the mainstream. He is also credited for having pioneered the merging of rap with Pinoy rock, becoming a significant influence to artists in that genre as well. He was also a popular television host, notably on MTV Asia where he served as one of the channel's first Filipino VJs, and on noontime variety television show Eat Bulaga!. He was the first Filipino to introduced RAP music here in the Philippines.
You can catch his last blog at this site.... http://francismagalona.multiply.com/
After hearing about his death after battling acute myelogenous leukemia, I realized how much his music and his character influenced me especially during my growing up years. Me and my elementary school buddies even performed the "Growing Up" song number from the film "Bagets" where he is one of the main cast. During my high school days, my mom got angry at me for having a "Devil's Cut" a hair cut where the V-shape of the hairline is emphasized making at appear that it is a spot for horns to grow on your head. This is a haircut which looks really good on Francis during the top of his game.
Perhaps, it was my quest for self identity and looking for person or character to identify with in terms of values and personality that made him one of the people I look up to for inspiration. Self-development brought him there thru the perfection of his craft. It is something we should all emulate ...it is surely is not for the money....but to leave a footprint...leaving this world a better place.
His passion for music , pride of country, and of being a Pinoy is evident on his famous songs like" Mga Kababayan Ko ( My Fellow Countryman )", Man from Manila, which surely left an indelible mark in me and for sure to the rest of his fans. His life maybe short but certainly not lacking in color and impact for the vast amount of lives he has touched.
This is for you Francis...A Free Mind ...at home at last...
To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose your feelings is to risk rejection.
To place your dreams before a crowd is to risk ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.
To believe is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken,
Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, he cannot feel, he cannot change,
He cannot grow, he cannot love, he cannot live.
Chained by his certitudes, he is slave.
Only a person who risks is truly free.
Unknown
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