Francis Magalona's family worked together to put up a small private gathering to mark his 40^th day after death, which was held yesterday, April 16, at Greenwich Clubhouse of Corinthian Gardens in Quezon City.  The 40^th day is said to be the day when the spirit of the dead is welcomed into the kingdom of God.

The event started with a mass, which was attended by the close relatives and friends of the Magalona family.  In this picture, Pia Magalona and their children gave each other a sign of peace during the mass.

Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. owner, Mr. Tony Tuviera, received holy  communion during the mass.  TAPE is the producer of the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga!, where Francis Magalona served as one of its hosts for more than a decade.

Other Eat Bulaga! personalities present during the mass were TAPE SVP and COO Malou Choa-Fagar, Anjo Yllana, Toni Rose Gayda, and Michael V.

Jenny Guzman-Alinea (in blue dress), owner of I/M clothing, also attended the mass that started at 6:00 p.m.  I/M will soon launch their latest endorser (next to Gabby Concepcion), Arkin Magalona, for its kids line. (Click here to read related article) 

Anjo Yllana is one of the dabarkads of Francis Magalona in the longest-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!

Comedian-singer Michael V, one of the close friends of Francis Magalona, sang "Cold Summer Nights" with Maxene Magalona (inset).  The song was included in Francis's first album titled Yo! that was released in 1990.

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Pia Magalona looks on proudly as her son Elmo ably sings his father's Baw-Waw-Waw," the first track in the Freeman album released in 1995. His stepsister Unna  enjoyed his performance so much that she  captured the moment on her camera.

If this mini event were a contest, Elmo would win as the best performer of the night. His Ate Maxene praised him, "'Yang si Elmo ang galing-galing niyang mag-perform."

During the program, Elmo also acted as a backup singer and even played the harmonica while his mom and sisters sang "Girl Be Mine," one the songs in Francis's 1996 album titled Happy Battle.  

Francis's stepson, Nicolo, took on the role of a backup singer to younger brother Arkin singing his dad's song "Three Stars and a Sun" from the album Freeman  (1995).

Francis M's girls (L-R):  Maxene, Saab, Clara, Unna, and wife Pia (far right) singing "Girl Be Mine."

Kiko's sons:  Frank, Arkin, Nicolo, and Elmo.

Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich band happily sang "Super Proxy," an original song of his former band Eraserheads, with Francis's wife Pia.

Rapper Gloc 9, a close friend of Francis Magalona, pays tribute to his pal by singing a self-composed rap to the tune of "Super Proxy."  His four-year-old fraternal twins, Sean Daniel (in brown shirt) and Danielle Shaun (in pink blouse), accompany him onstage.

Francis M's family sings together his anthemic song "Kaleidoscope World," one of the songs in his 1995 album Freeman.  While singing, PEP caught Unna and Pia holding hands (inset), a sign of family closeness.

Eat Bulaga! host Pia Guanio, Raimund Marasigan (right), and Gloc 9 (hidden behind Pia) enjoying the short program prepared by the Magalonas.

Victor Basa also dropped by to see the performances of Saab's siblings.  Victor is one of Saab's co-actors in the youth-oriented show Lipgloss.

Gloc 9 and Raimund Marasigan talked about music with Francis M's band, Hardware Syndrome, before bidding goodbye to the  Magalona family.