news

Francis Magalona honored by his sister with a "Best Brother" award

by Nerisa Almo posted on March 12, 2009  STATS: 41822 Views | 44 Comments

 

"On the second time [of remission], I told him, 'You know Frans, it's really okay if you have to go, you can go with a light heart because you have achieved so much,'" related Pia Arroyo about her last goodbye to husband Francis Magalona.

Photo By: Noel Orsal and Melo Balingit (inset)

After his colleagues and friends recalled their fondest memory of the late Francis Magalona, the Master Rapper's immediate family also shared their happy moments with him during the Eulogy held last March 10, at Christ the King Memorial Chapel in Greenmeadows, Quezon City. 

Francis's sister, Pie Magalona, also presented a posthumous "Best Brother" award to the Master Rapper in her Eulogy.

Francis's sister, who is based in Los Angeles, recalled the moment when they found out about their brother's condition. "I remember telling myself over and over again, 'You cannot break down. You have to be strong. You have to be positive for Francis's sake.' As it turned out, I didn't have to be. Francis himself was strong," she narrated.

She also mentioned how courageous her brother was in facing what he called "the happy battle."

"My first conversation with him, I remember I mumbled something like, 'Frans, hang in there, this is a glitch in your system, take care of it and move forward.' He responded to me, 'Sis, these are the cards I was dealt and I will play it. I'm not ready to give up my microphone just yet.' That's just like Francis."

Despite the loss, Pie is positive about the path that Francis would be taking in the afterlife. "If you all have heard about Disneyland, then you know that it's oftentimes called 'the happiest place on earth.' The good news is it's no longer the happiest place on earth. Heaven is the happiest place on earth because my brother's there," said Pie.

Meanwhile, Pia Arroyo related to the people who attended the last night of her husband's wake that Francis was peaceful about his passing. 

"He just accepted it and I know for a fact that he said, he always said when he prays to God that: 'Dear God I pray to you to heal me, for me to be able to spend more time with my family, though it's for my family I would like to stay longer. But then again, whatever is your will, I will accept it, I accept it wholeheartedly," she said.

Later on, she described Francis as someone every Filipino could be proud of. "He just wanted to do what makes him happy and in such a way he has given us so much and I'm very proud of him, very proud of his very existence—his being a poet, his being an artist, and his being a Filipino."

At the end of her Eulogy, Pia expressed her appreciation to everyone who has supported her in this "happy battle." 

She said, "I'd like to thank everyone who's been there all this time, during his illness. He chose to be brave about it that's why it always seemed that it's going to get better. Although the AML (acute myelogenous leukemia), the type that he has, was really the worst and just for seven months that his life was extended, I think that is it, that is all the rest to it. And I'm really glad for the time given, the time given by God to us to share him in our life."

"GOODBYE, POP." Francis's kids were also given their moment to say their farewell to their "tatay."

His stepchildren Unna and Nicolo thanked the Master Rapper for treating them like his own kids.

In her Eulogy for her Papa, eldest daughter Unna said, "You took us in and treated us like any of the other kids, so thank you very much for that.  Thank you for loving us and thank you for being an inspiration to everybody."

On his part, Nicolo said, "Even if he's not my biological dad, he loves me more than my real dad. Until now, I'm not sure how to take everything in 'cause it's very sudden. Papa was like my dad, my best friend, and my hero."

1  2  Next »

more on this story

Show/Hide Comments

44 Comments

  • 24  princesspeaches

    03/12/2009 | 11:23 AM
    angel ashanti

    you are so lucky to have experience that...i am so jealous! im pretty sure super bango ni IDOL! haay!
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 23  PEP_Webmaster

    03/12/2009 | 10:27 AM
    you will be missed, francis
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 22  rizky

    03/12/2009 | 10:06 AM
    he truly is an honorable man-he is a good example to every father in showbiz ,he remained a faithful and loving husband and also 4 being a good and loving father from the start until the end.

    unlike john strada who left his wife alone after having 4 kids just to enjoy his life.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 21  sylvester

    03/12/2009 | 09:53 AM
    grabe sakit na ng dibdib ko! kakalungkot naman! rest in peace kiko
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 20  ryshan

    03/12/2009 | 09:39 AM
    naiyak naman ako dito...

    one great filipino... you will always live...
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 19  dosperados

    03/12/2009 | 09:26 AM
    good bye kiko i will miss you in EB, akala ko makakabalik ka pa!

    you are one of a kind.

    a true ICON!
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 18  angel_ashanti

    03/12/2009 | 09:03 AM
    IDOL... daig ko pa namatayan ng kamag-anak.
    Until now parang ndi ko parin nagsi-sink in sa akin na wala ka MASTER RAPPER.

    Nung nag ZIRKOH kami, ang lakas lakas mo pa. Ikaw ang primetime guest nun. Pina akyat mo ko sa stage kasi nga napansin mo na lahat ng kanta mo memorize ko. Di ko makakalimutan na nung pina akyat mo ko sa stage, kinanta mo yung GIRL BE MINE.. lumuhod ka then sabi mo quot;CMON GIVE ME A HUGquot; grabe.. IDOL.. sobrang bango mo nun. Kaya talagang ma mi miss kita IDOL.. Saludo ako sa pagiging mapagmahal mong asawa at tatay sa mga anak mo. Napaka bait mong tao. Sa lahat ng achievements mo ndi ka yumabang.

    RIP to the master rapper. Ndi ka namin makakalimutan.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 17  incheck

    03/12/2009 | 07:42 AM

    i really feel sad for the passing of Francis M, sad because it is TOO soon...we all must die but his time came too soon but at least now he is peacefully resting.

    the reason why i am not commenting too much on Francis M death is because i truly felt the loss...i feel for the bereaved family...

    REST IN PEACE, FRANCIS M!!!
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 16  sleepingchild

    03/12/2009 | 07:38 AM
    *** This comment has been deactivated due to inappropriate content ***
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 15  bon_mark

    03/12/2009 | 07:24 AM
    paalam, francis M! Isa kang tunay na bayani sa mga Pinoy!

    Kapuri-puri ka!

    Sumalangit nawa!!!
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 14  princesspeaches

    03/12/2009 | 05:37 AM
    nsa highskul ako nung sinabi ko sa sarili ko na pagngkaron ako ng sarili kong family and mgkababy boy ako isusunod ko sa name ng baby nya na si ELMO MOSES..kaso idol wla pa ako baby pero promise idol pgnag anak ako ng lalaki tutuparin ko un!!!

    Paalam idol!!!
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 13  princesspeaches

    03/12/2009 | 05:35 AM
    MISS YOU IDOL!

    grade 4 ako nung mahayok kami ng husto sa iyo at sa mga awitin mo..hangang ngayon KIKO may asawa na ako hangang dito sa lamig ng estado dala dala namin ang lahat ng awitin mo! NAG_IISA KA!!!

    hinding- hindi ko malilimutan nung sumulat kami sa iyo ng mga classmates ko, we askes for your photos at we're all suprised na ngrespond ka with matching lyrics pa ng lahat ng songs mo!

    i'll never forget halos mapunit ang sobre dahil anim kaming ngaagawan! sumulat kami ulit at ngrequest na kung pwede sa susunod tag-iisa na kaming sobre ...sobrang tuwa kami kasi ginawa nga ni idol un!


    isa kang bayani..JOSE RIZAL sa larangan ng musika!!!

    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 12  cassandrafiona1234

    03/12/2009 | 03:27 AM
    9
    wilfredonggag
    o
    March 12, 2009
    02:10 AM Bakit ganon? kung kelan namamatay, tsaka pa lahat ng pagpupugay, awards, recognition binibigay eh anong malay ng patay dun? Sabagay siguro para sa mga naiwan. At sabagay siguro kasi kung puro pagpupugay, awards, recognition ang ibigay habang buhay ang isang tao baka balikan ka na quot;hindi pa ako patay!quot; - labo.
    _________
    buti nga nabigyan siya ng international award..dito sa pinas..
    eh..masanay ka na..

    ang patay pilit na binubuhay sa iba ibang paraan...i guess you know what i mean..
    pero habang buhay...ka eh..
    ah ok.you are here..
    dedma lang....
    pero buti na rin kaysa dedma lalo..
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 11  katotohanan_lang

    03/12/2009 | 03:04 AM
    naiyak na naman ako while reading the article.

    unna and nicolo were still very young when Kiko married Pia. Kaya si Kiko ang nakilala nilang tatay.

    Pia is Gabby Concepcion's first love.

    RIP Kiko..
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • 10  wilfredonggago

    03/12/2009 | 02:17 AM
    Ba't ba nauna pa si Kiko? Di na lang pinauna yung mga ka-bit at nang-aagaw ng asawa ng may asawa tapos naninira ng mga pamilya? Sila ang mga salot na dapat nauuna. Kita niya pag nagkandamatay na lahat ng mga kumabit at naninira ng basic foundation of the society family, happier to the next level ang mundo. pramis.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • wilfredonggago

    03/12/2009 | 02:10 AM
    Bakit ganon? kung kelan namamatay, tsaka pa lahat ng pagpupugay, awards, recognition binibigay eh anong malay ng patay dun? Sabagay siguro para sa mga naiwan. At sabagay siguro kasi kung puro pagpupugay, awards, recognition ang ibigay habang buhay ang isang tao baka balikan ka na quot;hindi pa ako patay!quot; - labo.
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • sugarplum027

    03/12/2009 | 01:52 AM
    oh i see. unna amp; nicolo are pia's children from previous marriage and so kiko adopted them. WE WEILL MISS YOU
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • sugarplum027

    03/12/2009 | 01:36 AM
    ha? i never knoe dat. unna and nicolo looks like pia arroyo. pls tell me
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • superkid

    03/12/2009 | 01:21 AM
    nakakaawa naman si Francis, mababaon lang sa limot ang kanyang pangarap na sana ang bansang kanyang sinilangan ay maging isang bansang walang naghihirap, walang nagugutom, walang nagdudurusa, walang inaapi.... ito ang panawagan ng mga awitin ni Francis na mauuwi lang sa wala na kasama ni Francis na mababaon sa libingan...
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
  • superkid

    03/12/2009 | 01:17 AM
    Wala talagang nakaunawa sa mga message ni Francis sa kanyang mga awitin...
    Ang nakikita lang nila ay ang nagawa ni Francis pero ang pangarap ni Francis na gusto niyang iparating ay walang nakikinig...
    Sana may maka-intindi man lang kahit isa sa mga kaibigan ni Francis sa mga mensahe niya sa kanyang musika... ang pangarap na isang bansang walang naghihirap, walang nagugutom, walang naaapi.....
    Ito ang mensahe ng mga awitin ni Francis pero parang walang nakaka-intindi kahit mismong mga malalapit na kaibigan ni Francis dahil mismong mga kaibigan ni Francis ay tanging sarili lamang ang iniisip at walang pagpapahalaga na manawagan sa pagkakaisa para sa ikauunlad ng bansang Pilipinas...
    Reply |  0 Replies
    0   0   0  
123

more comments

PEP TV

PEP NEWS REWIND

Search Articles by Artist or Full Name

MOST POPULAR

  • Fetching Most Popular

MOST SHARED

  • Fetching Most Shared

MOST TALKED ABOUT

  • Fetching Most Talk About