The idea of mounting a tribute show for Francis Magalona seemed good. But the projectwas "preempted" by word of mouth and by PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). And now the organizers want to pull things out of the fire, appealing to the public: "We just want to help."
Last March 17, a First-Read-on-PEP item, titled "Francis M 'tribute concerts' in Canada and Dubai do not have his family's blessing," created a cloud of doubt among PEPsters.
If they wanted to help, why didn't they do it when Kiko was still alive? Why didn't they find a way to tell Pia? Why would they direct the proceeds to "Francis M foundation" and the "Philippine Red Cross" and not inform the widow of the late host-rapper?
Plus, the article elicited two schools of thought:
(1) Either they really intended to align their plans but communication glitches prevented the message from reaching Pia Arroyo-Magalona on time;
(2) Or, as mentioned in the Facebook posts of Kiko's widow, the motive was partly to capitalize on the death of the King of Pinoy Rap.
At press time, PEPsters were more inclined to believe in the former. The family of the rap music icon had expressed disappointment on these unmerited "tribute shows."
Here's the latest update: The "Dubai concert" organizers apologize to the wife of Francis, and air their side of the story.
MARCH 17 POST IN FACEBOOK. A "concerned citizen" related to us that a few hours after the article was put out in PEP, a certain "GCC," who is believed to be one of the people involved in the Dubai tribute concert, got in touch with Pia via Facebook. She managed to get a copy of the "apologetic" message for PEP.
In a gist, GCC thanked Francis Magalona for inspiring them."Lahat ng hip hop world, mga djs, and lahat ng local artist dito nagsama-sama para pasalamatan si Kiko," he began.
He stressed that the group has no bad intention, and that they really planned to tell Pia about the plans to mount a show for Francis and PNRC (Philippine National Red Cross).
GCC continued,"Sabi ko sa dj [a "katropa" of Francis] kung pwede mahingi ko yung email mo at number kasi hihingin namin yung bank account mo at may kausap na kami na money transfer dito para ibigay lahat ng sale ng ticket sa iyo, pia."
Lastly, he mentioned that generating revenue from the tribute concert was never their motive.
According to him, "Dito malaki sweldo namin, di namin kailangan ng pera. Naglabas pa kami ng pera para sa gagastuin namin sa event at lahat ng local artist, free will sila. Sana makausap kita at we have a good intention about it."
MARCH 18 POST IN PEP's COMMENTS COLUMN. Yesterday, a user who was registered as "pilipinas777" posted this message (published as is):
"Let me apologize first to the Magalona family for misinterpreting our purpose. This event was created out of free will and we didnt ask for any fee. This is totaly charity for me as an artist—and to all performers generaly.
"In fairness to the organizer all proceeds will be ensured legit and given to the Philippine Nat'l Red cross with their respective representative and will be transparent as possible during the gig. Never in my thoughts na kumita sa ganitong paraan.
"Isa lang po akong naimpluwensyahan ng musika ni Francis M. na nalungkot, nakiramay at sa inspirasyong binigay nya gusto kong iparating ulit sa mga OFW ng DUBAI kung gaano kaimportante ang tumingin sa ating bansa by playing his music ito lang po ang simpleng paraan ipatuloy ang adhikain ng OPM sa ating mga kabayan
"salamat po..."
MARCH 19 LETTER TO RED CROSS. Early this morning, an email reached us containing the alleged letter of the Dubai organizers to Philippine National Red Cross.
It reads (published as is):
"Dear Sir/Madam,
"We the local filipino talents is extending our deepest apology that transpire regarding the issue of tribute to francis magalona in dubai that we indicated the proceeds will be donated to your good company. we want to apologize also to mrs. pia magalona.
"we just want to help in our part the call to donate to your good company. syempre po mga artist kami and we want to raise fund to donate to your good company thru music.
"marami na negative lumabas sa pep.ph at ang masakit di nila inidicate nung nakausap nila colleague namin namin kung paano namin idodonate. sinabi namin sa kanila may mga company here na money transfer iimbitahin namin sa event na yon at sa harap ng tao ibibigay namin sa kanila yung pera na makukuha sa ticket sales at dagdag pa mga galing sa bulsa namin at bibigyan kami ng receipt na ifafax ko kasi nakalagay sa website how to donate akala ko po pag nilagay all proceeds will be given to sa company nyo yung pala kailangan namin ng acknolwedgement po.
"maganda work namin here we dont need money, at lahat ng magpeperform free will po walang talent fee yan nagambagan pa kami ng pera para sa permit posters and flyers out of our pocket. pinaplano pa lang namin wala pang posters and flyers tickets na ibinibenta marami na agad kami narecived negative sana pakinggan nila side namin may mga kabataan doon gusto makilahaok mga dancer dahil namin si francis and we look up for him as an idol and a person to follow as role model.
"kaya mam we will continue but we wont use the tribute to francis magalona anymore and the title ang bagong title namin is bagong bayani na cinompose namin para sa mga ofw at kay francis bilang bagong bayani sa larangan ng musika.and we will donate the money to you."
UP NEXT: PEP's phone conversation with one of the organizers and Pia Arroyo-Magalona's response.