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.
In the end, she asked everyone to continue the patriotism that Francis has started. She pleaded, "Let us not remember the loss, but let's remember his love, his one love. Let's not remember the pain, but the triumph of his spirit—to live one day at a time. As Francis would put it, let his voice be heard again. Let his love for the country continue to burn."
And her last message to Francis went, "Francis we'll miss you. Forever you will be Eat Bulaga's "dabarkads." We love you, Francis."
"HINDI AKO MAKAPANIWALA." Michael V shed off his comic character while delivering his speech about co-host and close friend Kiko. Their special memories together, according to Michael V, were never captured by the camera.
First, the comedian recalled how he met his "idol" in the musical variety show Manilyn Live! and how he became a host in Eat Bulaga! through his kumpareng Kiko.
He remembered their Virra Mall trips together, their fascination for toys and robots, and even apologized to Pia for the "video game nights" they had in their house in Katipunan.
The only sad memory he had was when Francis told him about his illness. In his poem-like speech, Bitoy narrated this exact moment.
He said, "Hindi ako makapaniwalang nang bumiyahe sa Las Vegas ang Eat Bulaga, e, halos hindi siya kumuha ng mga litrato. At hindi ako makapaniwalang sasabihin n'ya sa akin na may, na may dinaramdam siya, na siya'y may leukemia, at kung gaano kahirap itong sabihin sa mga anak n'ya at mga mahal niya sa buhay.
"Hindi ako makapaniwalang isa ako sa iilan niyang mga kaibigan na pinayagan niyang bisitahin siya at makita ang totoong kalagayan niya. Hindi ako makapaniwala na sandaling panahon ay muli siyang babangon at magbibigay ng pag-asa sa lahat ng tagahanga niya at kaibigan.
"Hindi ako makapaniwalang sa pagpapabalik-balik niya sa ospital ay ilang ulit din niyang natakasan ang kamatayan, twice yata. Hindi ako makapaniwala na isang umaga ay tatawagan ako ni Pia para sa mga huling sandali ng buhay ng asawa niya.
"At nung dumating ako sa ospital, hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakita ko, sa narinig ko, at sa naramdaman ko.
"Hindi ako makapaniwalang sa huling sandali ng buhay n'ya ay nakatingala siya at nakatanaw sa langit. Mga bandang alas-dose ng tanghali, hindi ako makapaniwalang wala na si Kiko, ang kaibigan ko."
For the last time, Bitoy expressed his feelings for his friend and fellow rapper.
"Hindi ako makapaniwalang sa tinagal-tagal at dinami-dami ng aming pagsasamahan, e, sa mga biruan ko lang nasasabi sa kanya yung mga salitang, 'Brod, I love you.'
"Kaya ngayon, sa lahat ng mga nandidito at nagmamahal at humahanga sa kanya, gusto kong sabihin at ipaalam ang nararamdaman ko: 'Francis M, Kiko, Idol, Brod, I love you. I love you so much and I will think of you every day for the rest of my life."
After the eulogy, the people inside the church were given the last chance to view Francis's remains. Shortly afterwards, his remains were sent to Funeraria Paz in Quezon City for the cremation.
This morning, his ashes in an urn were brought back to the Christ the King Chapel for a mass before being interred at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina early this afternoon. (Click here to read related article).
To see videos during the eulogy of Francis Magalona, click HERE.
Click HERE to view PEP's tribute to the Master Rapper Francis Magalona.