Francis Magalona aka Francis M, the ‘Master Rapper’ of Pinoy Rap lost his ‘happy battle’ to Leukaemia on March 6th, 2009.

A significant music figure in the Philippines for promoting patriotism, Francis M was also a popular presenter on ‘Eat Bulaga!’ with ‘debarkads’ Joey de Leon and Vic Sotto. I remember watching a lot of ‘Eat Bulaga!’ back in 2002 during my two month stay and found myself saying his coined phrase ‘Pweeedeee’ - A LOT!. Thanks FM!

Brought up by two of the Philippines’ cinema stars, it was evident that Francis M would eventually pave his way into show business. He began as a breakdancer in the early 80s and landed a role in the Viva Films movie ‘Bagets 2’ with other ‘brat pack’ matinee actors of that time, plus he also djayed for local radio. He finally got the TV presenter break he desired by becoming a regular on ‘Eat Bulaga!’ and as the first Filipino VJ for MTV Asia. Later on, Francis M was seen as a judge for “Philippine Idol”.

LDNmeetsMNL celebrates a number of Francis M’s many achievements…

THE MASTER RAPPER
“Mga kababayan ko, dapat lang malaman nyo, bilib ako sa kulay ko, ako ay Pilipino!”
{“Mga Kababayan” – Yo! 1990 Octo Arts}

Mostly recognised for his work in music. In return he received many awards. In comparison to the popular OPM, ‘Pinoy Rap’ has been regarded as quite a novelty, with artists such as Andrew E (who coincidentally was once FM’s production assistant), incorporated somewhat funny lyrics for e.g. ‘Banyo Queen!’.

Francis M transformed the Pinoy rap scene from when he released his earlier albums ‘Yo!’ and ‘Rap is FrancisM’. He brought over influences from stateside hip-hop artists that he was inspired by… and from then on the rest is history. As rap and hip-hop changed through the years, he has remained an influential and highly regarded member of the Filipino Hip-Hop community.

Francis M is mentioned alongside the greats in the ‘Definitive guide to Rap and Hip-Hop’. In September 2005, he wrote:

“I read it and it gave me goosebumps, and tears in my eyes to be in this same book, along my heroes like Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Kool Moe Dee, Rakim, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Melle Mel, KRS One. Other lyrical poets like Nas, Eminem, Biggie & Pac, LL Cool J & the list goes on.

Local hip hop acts like Andrew E. (who called me later in the day asking about the book) & Mastaplann. I’m under the M letter. (I’m the first artist for that initial!!) They reviewed my two best-OF albums from Octo Arts/EMI & from BMG. It made my day!!!! pwedeeeeeeeeeeee? Panalo!!!!!

… My name was also mentioned in the May 2004 issue of The Source, so that’s my other brush with int’l hiphop fame.” *

Francis M also contributed to the merge of hip-hop with rock. This was evident with the creation of Hardware Syndrome, and collabs with Parokya ni Edgar and the Eraserheads. By merging the two he was able to introduce rap to a wider Filipino audience.

In 2008 he was worked on a new album, the ‘F-word’, where a few tracks had been released with his clothing line. During his last months he was also worked with the Eraserheads member, Ely Buendia on the Sickos project. Francis M blogged about it in ‘Free Mind’ and a documentary was also filmed as part of the project in his last months. This is to be completed and released with his daughter Maxene Magalona at the forefront of these projects.

THE PATRIOT
“Bless the man if his heart and his land are ONE, the 3 Stars & a Sun…”
{FrancisM ‘Freeman’ - 1995 BMG Pilipinas}

In reference to his post about one of his heroes, Jose Rizal, he expressed…

“If Rizal were alive today I would want to have some coffee with him. Talk to him, learn from him, and break bread with him. I look up to the man. I even made a song about him back in the late 90’s. It’s called “Idol ko si Rizal”.

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. As long as I live, I will continue to espouse his dedication to uplift our country and our people.

We are a people with heritage. Period. Before we were colonized by Spain we had a culture, we had governance, we had commerce, and we had our art.

Long live Rizal and the other heroes like Bonifacio, del Pilar, Mabini who fought for our independence.

Long live THE FILIPINO AND FILIPINA.” *

Always proud of his country and heritage, FM always articulated this pride in his work as a nationalist artist. He expressed his love and also exposed the reality of the Philippines … He kept it real and that was what made him different to the other artists.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER
“I use my mouth to earn money, feed my fam. This time I use my eyes to earn points, and feed my soul.” *

I identify with FM, not just with his music but for his love of photography and being a camera geek. He learned the basics back in 1997-98 from his mentor Maynard San Jose and from then on he continued to grow into the passion of photography, falling for the power of the lens’ ability to capture another level of creativity.

He was asked to join and soon enough inducted into the Camera Club of the Philippines, one of the oldest and most prestigious photographic societies in Asia. For his photographic work he was awarded medals and awards, the last was given to him in hospital in December 2008 for an On-The-Spot Competition – 2008 Photographer of the Year. He also submtted work for Digital Camera Magazine’s Photographer of the Year 2008 using the username Superproxy.

“It keeps me alive and sane, this photography thing and music making. Both are my passion. And of course, the biggest source of strength is the Lord and my family.” *

THE ENTREPRENEUR
Sure enough, FM created other ventures outside of TV and as a solo artist. He conceived the recording label ‘Red Egg Records’ and ‘Filipino Pictures Inc.’, a production company where he was resident director and producer. But the most familiar is his FrancisM Clothing Co. (FMCC) aka ‘3 Stars and a Sun’.

In a ‘Style Guru’ interview for FHM in April 2008, he explained the clothing venture which was conceived in 2006:
“Fashion really goes great with music. This is the natural way to go kasi it’s (fashion) an extension of the art form… The name of the brand, Three Stars and a Sun, came from my song “Maynila,” which I wrote in 1990.
… This clothing line is one way of achieving my goal to Filipinize the world. Ang Pilipinas kasi, known tayo for negative things, pero they forget na lahat ng bansa may ganun din. The Filipinos in my mind are the citizens of the whole world. Sino ang caregivers and nurses? We are the healers of the world.

… Everything starts with a dream. Dreams are tangible realities that are waiting to happen so you can grasp it and you can touch it. This was one of my dreams and I made it happen—with my creative guy and my other business partners, of course.” **

THE FAMILY MAN
FM was highly regarded for being a being a family man. He was undeniably proud of his family… his legacy will continue through his wife Pia and eight children, Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr, Maxene, Saab, Elmo, Arkin and Clara. Our prayers are with them all.

“I’m supposedly this icon. I’m supposedly a pioneer, yet life goes on. And who cares anyway? What are riches? Riches are my family, my photographs… There are different ways of looking at stuff. It’s not all about the money. It’s about being fulfilled.” ***

Francis Magalona throughout his career has made a big impact on Filipino Culture, and as he intended, he has made a lasting imprint.

Farewell to the ‘Man from Manila’.

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Francis Magalona sites:
http://francismagalona.multiply.com

http://happybattle.multiply.com

http://francismclothing.multiply.com

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* Excerpts from Francis Magalona’s blog “a Free Mind”
** Francis M’s Style Guru article in the April 2008 issue of FHM http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/interviews/article/1379/page/6
*** Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 28, 2007 by Pepe Diokno.

Posted on 20 March 2009 by Lani in Culture, Featured, Music

Tagged 3 stars and a sun, eat bulaga, entrepreneur, fm, fmcc, francis magalona, mtv, photographer, pinoy rap, presenter, super proxy, the man from manila, the master rapper