Francis Magalona is Dead

Rapper, actor and TV host Francis Magalona, diagnosed with leukemia last year, died Friday at 12:20 pm at the Medical City hospital in Pasig City. He was 44.

He battled cancer for almost eight months before finally passing away. The immediate cause of Magalona‘s death was heart failure. He received his last sacraments before noon.

Last August, Magalona informed the noontime show “Eat Bulaga” via text message that he was suffering from leukemia.

The rapper even requested for blood donations to replace the blood he was using at the Medical City hospital in Ortigas Avenue where he was being treated.

“I have been diagnosed with leukemia and I am preparing for my treatment. Sa tulong ng Panginoon, kakayanin ko po ito,” he said. “Abangan nyo ang aking pagbabalik. ‘Di ko lang kayo ‘miss’… LOVE KO kayong lahat.”

Magalona was a regular host of the noon time show “Eat Bulaga.”

Host Vic Sotto announced Magalona‘s demise during the show Friday and asked the people to pray for Francis.

“We will surely miss him, pati na ang buong industriya. We request everyone to pause for a moment of prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Francis. Our condolences to the family. Kiko, we love you,” Sotto said.

The stars of the popular noontime show broke into tears as they prayed for the soul of Magalona.

The 44-year-old Magalona was the son of 1950’s legendary actors and celebrity couple Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.

Launched as a teen star in the 1980s, Magalona’s career boomed with his hit rap song “Mga Kababayan,” which was included in his album “Yo!” released in 1990.

He was also the voice behind the hits “Ito ang Gusto Ko,” “Meron Akong Ano,” “Mga Praning,” and “Kaleidoscope World.”

Francis M left behind is wife Pia Arroyo and their eight children–Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actress Maxene Magalona.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/03/06/09/updated-francis-m-dead-44