Friends and colleagues remember memorable times with Francis Magalona

Nerisa Almo
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 @ 03:06PM  |  121 views

"Today we don't say goodbye to Francis. Today we bring him back to his Master. The Master has given him the talent and the strength to say what he wanted to say, and express himself through his art form," says TAPE executive Malou Choa-Fagar during the eulogy for the late Eat Bulaga! "dabarkads" last night, March 10.

Photo By: Noel Orsal













Before his remains were turned into ashes, Francis's family, friends and fellow artists paid their last respects to the King of Pinoy Rap in a necrological mass held at the Christ the King Chapel in Greenmeadows, Quezon City. 

Even his avid fans, who stayed outside the chapel and watched the mass through a video wall, gave their sympathy to Francis's wife Pia Arroyo and eight children—Unna, Nicolo, Maxene, Francis Jr., Saab, Elmo, Arkin, and Clara.

The songs offered by Kiko's close friends had the guests in tears. Songbird Regine Velasquez rendered "Pangako," singer-composer Ogie Alcasid and Ciara Sotto each offered a song for their dear friend during the communion, and Gary Valenciano bid his farewell to Francis by singing "Goodbye, My Friend." (Click here to read related article.) 

THE LENSMAN. The Master Rapper is gone, but he will remain in the hearts of his friends and followers forever. This was the main message of last night's service.

Members of the Camera Club of the Philippines (CCP), which honed Francis's skills in photography, were also present. Dr. Gerry Sabado and Leo Riingen reminisced the day they first met the "newbie" of the group in the eulogy held after the necrological mass.

They both mentioned that Francis didn't have a hard time during his one-year probationary period as aspiring member of CCP. "He was so good, he shortcut everything and he actually became a member after six months—the fastest in the Camera Club of the Philippines. In fact, in 2007, he was awarded as the Camera Club Probee of the Year," narrated Dr. Sabado in his speech.

After the tributes, a short video presentation, showing the winning entries and personal photographs of Francis, was shown. "Kaleidoscope World" was aptly used as the background music.

EAT BULAGA'S "DABARKADS."  After CCP's tribute to their fellow photographer, Kiko's "dabarkads" from Eat Bulaga! were called on to share their fondest memories about their co-host. 

For more than a decade, Francis became part of every household's lunch through this noontime show.

With Eat Bulaga's main hosts behind her, the lady executive of Television and Production Exponents (TAPE), Malou Choa-Fagar, shared her sentimental moments with her "anak."

In her speech, she likened Francis to Peter Pan. "'Yang si Francis, he lets out the child in him every time. For somebody like him with such zest for life, such spirit, it pains me to think the hardships he went through. Lahat ng sakit na pinagdaanan niya, he still managed to give a smile. He looked at life with so much hope and enthusiasm.

"During his last guesting sa Eat Bulaga!, promise niya na 'yong ginagawa niyang album, ila-launch niya sa amin. I heard no complaint, no bitterness. He simply seized the day. Bawat huling minuto ng buhay niya, ginamit niya ito keep his dreams and to fulfill his mission."

In the latter part of her speech, Ms. Malou said, "Kiko simply is a son, isang anak, Eat Bulaga's little boy who refuses to grow up. He's our Peter Pan who would fly with his dream and vision for this country and his family in Eat Bulaga!."

She also expressed gratitude to Francis's family for letting him become part of their show. 

"We thank God for lending one Francis Magalona to Eat Bulaga!. We thank Pia for loving Francis so much. And in your silent grief, we knew how much your heart bled in this battle. We pray that you grow up stronger after this. Wala man si Francis, Eat Bulaga! will always be with you and your children," said the teary-eyed TAPE executive. 

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