Francis Magalona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francis Magalona
Background information
Birth name	Francis Michael Durango Magalona
Also known as	Francis M Master Rapper The Man from Manila Kiko The Mouth The Filipino King of Rap
Born	(1964-10-04)October 4, 1964 Manila, Philippines
Died	March 6, 2009(2009-03-06) (aged 44) The Medical City, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Genres	Hip hop alternative hip hop rap rock political hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter producer actor director entrepreneur host photographer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1984–2009
Labels	OctoArts International Inc. (now PolyEast Records) (1989–1993) BMG Records (Pilipinas), Inc. (now Sony Music) (1994–2006)
Associated acts	Andrew E Hardware Syndrome Joey Ayala Ryan Cayabyab Eraserheads Planet Garapata Perfecto de Castro Michael V. Parokya ni Edgar Rivermaya Gloc-9 Ely Buendia Evil Stepsisters Loonie The Pin-Ups

Francis Michael Durango Magalona (born October 4, 1964 – died March 6, 2009), also known as Francis M, was a famous Filipino rapper, singer, songwriter, and TV personality. He was born in Manila, Philippines. Francis M became a huge inspiration for many artists in the local rap and hip-hop music scene.

Besides his music, Magalona was also a TV host for MTV Asia and Channel V Philippines. He also co-hosted the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga!. Francis Magalona passed away on March 6, 2009, after being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called acute myelogenous leukemia. He was later given a special award called the Presidential Medal of Merit. This award recognized his amazing musical talent, his strong belief in the Filipino people, and his national pride.

Francis M's Early Life and Family

Francis Magalona was the eighth of nine children. His parents, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, were very famous movie stars in the 1940s and 1950s. His grandfather, Enrique B. Magalona, was a politician who served as a Senator in the Philippines.

Francis went to high school at the Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong from 1978 to 1981. He then studied at the San Beda College in Manila from 1981 to 1984.

Starting His Career

Magalona began his career in the 1980s as a breakdancer. He also appeared in several Filipino movies, including Bagets 2. He was a DJ and rapper on the TV show Loveli'Ness on IBC-13.

In 1985, Francis married Pia Arroyo. They had eight children together. Some of his children, like Maxene, Francis Jr. (Frank), Saab, and Elmo, also became famous in the entertainment industry, following in their father's footsteps.

Francis M's Music Journey

In 1990, Francis Magalona released his first album called Yo!. This was the very first rap album released commercially in the Philippines. It featured popular songs like "Mga Kababayan" (Fellow Countrymen) and "Cold Summer Nights." The album was a huge hit and helped bring Filipino hip-hop music from underground to the mainstream. It also started a new style of rap called "Makabayang" (nationalistic) rap.

In 1992, he released Rap Is FrancisM. This album talked about different cultural and social problems in the Philippines. Its deep messages quickly made it a classic album. This album showed that Magalona was one of the most thoughtful voices of his time.

Magalona at Ninoy Aquino Airport in Manila

His third album, Meron akong ano! (I Got Something!), came out in 1993. With this album, Francis started trying out Pinoy rock music. He became known for being excellent in both rap and rock genres.

The album Freeman was released in 1995. It really showed his strong presence in the Pinoy rock scene.

In 1996, Magalona released Happy Battle. Later, when he was diagnosed with cancer, he and his wife Pia would refer to his fight against the illness as his "Happy Battle."

His 1998 album, The Oddventures of Mr. Cool, had a more mellow, urban rap sound, different from his previous guitar-heavy albums. It included the song "Whole Lotta Lovin'", which used music from the Eraserheads song "Alapaap."

Later albums included Interscholastic (1999) and Freeman 2 (2000).

Francis Magalona also started his own record company called Red Egg Records. He also had a production company, Filipino Pictures Inc., where he directed music videos for other artists.

Francis M on Television

Besides co-hosting LoveliNess, Francis Magalona was one of the first members of the youth show That's Entertainment in 1987. He was also a co-host for the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga!. He was also a VJ (video jockey) for MTV Asia and Channel V. He was the first Filipino VJ for MTV Asia and worked there from 1996 to 2000.

He was also known for acting in Bagets 2. In 1997, Magalona played the main role in the TV movie Kamada. This film won awards from The Philippines Broadcasting Television and the Asian TV Awards.

Francis Magalona was also a judge for the first Philippine Idol season. He judged alongside Ryan Cayabyab and Pilita Corrales. Besides TV, he also hosted many live events.

Other Cool Things Francis M Did

Magalona wearing clothing his company had designed.

Francis Magalona was a talented photographer. He even had his pictures published in magazines. He was very happy when he became a member of the Camera Club of the Philippines, and his photos received good reviews.

He also started his own clothing line called FMCC, which stood for "FrancisM Clothing Co." His clothes were sold in stores called "3 Stars & A Sun."

With fellow musician Ely Buendia, he started the Heartist Foundation. This foundation helps Filipino artists with their health and business needs.

His Illness and Passing

Francis Magalona was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, on August 8, 2008. He was at the Medical City Hospital in Pasig.

On March 6, 2009, Francis Magalona passed away. He had undergone several chemotherapy treatments since his diagnosis.

His cremation took place on March 11, 2009. His ashes were later laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina. Many fans and people from the entertainment industry joined the procession. The Philippine Army also gave him military honors to recognize his patriotism and service as a sergeant in the reserves. His wife, Pia, received the flag that was draped on his coffin.

Francis M's Music Albums

Albums

OctoArts International (now PolyEast Records)

• 1989: Francis M. (Extended of Loving You)
• 1990: Yo!
• 1990: Mga Kababayan (E.P. Dance Remix)
• 1990: Gotta Let 'Cha Know (E.P.)
• 1991: Man from Manila (E.P. Dance Remix)
• 1992: Rap Is FrancisM
• 1993: Meron Akong Ano!
• 1997: Francis M. - OPM Timeless Collection (Gold Series 2)
• 2001: The Story of Francis M. - (The Ultimate OPM Collection)

BMG Records (Pilipinas), Inc. (now Sony Music Philippines)

• 1995: FreeMan
• 1996: Happy Battle
• 1998: The Oddventures of Mr. Cool
• 1999: Interscholastic
• 2000: FreeMan 2
• 2002: The Best of Francis M
• 2003: Rap Public of The Philippines, Vol - 1 (with Andrew E., Michael V., Crazy as Pinoy and the other rap artists)
• 2005: Rap Public of the Philippines, Vol - 2 (with Loonie, Crazy as Pinoy, Pikaso, Gloc-9 and the other rap artists)
• 2005: Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music of the Eraserheads
• 2010: In Love and War (a.k.a. ILAW, originally The Sickos Project) (with Ely Buendia, Hilera, Hardware Syndrome and other artists; released posthumously)

Independent

• 2008: F Word

Singles

• "Loving You" (with Pia Arroyo), his first song
• "My Only Love" (1989)
• "Mga Kababayan" (1990)
• "Ito ang Gusto Ko" (1993, theme from Royal Tru Orange Soda)
• "Kaleidoscope World" (1995)
• "Pikon" (1996)
• "Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan" (1996)
• "Saranggola ni Pepe" (with Andrew E.) (2000)
• "Here We Go Part 2" (with Dongalo Wreckords, Andrew E. and Carlos Agassi) (2004)
• "Pambihira Ka" (2004)
• "Lando" (2005, featuring Gloc9)
• "Superproxy" (2005, a cover from Eraserheads feat. Ely Buendia)
• "Bagsakan" (2007, featuring Parokya Ni Edgar & Gloc9)
• "Higante" (2010, featuring Ely Buendia)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Francis Magalona para niños