I was in the newsroom of the Dept. of DevJourn taking my make-up exam for DEVC11. I was worrying about my pen drying up in the middle of the exam (I was writing all day) when, suddenly, a girl burst into the room and declared to the others there, "Waah, patay na si Francis M.!!!"
I froze, and so did everyone around me. Time stood still as my brain decoded the message. Francis M., The Master Rapper, dead?
At that moment, my brain went on hyperdrive. It was gathering everything it knows about the Master Rapper.
Whoa. What just happened? Why is my brain equating Francis M. with Jose Rizal? Why is it also equating the Master Rapper with the Filipino image?
Jose Rizal is considered the national hero of the Philippines. However, in our history archives, it was never mentioned that he wielded a bolo like Andres Bonifacio. Instead, he wielded a heavier weapon: a pen. Yes, this hero sparred with the Spaniards with strokes of his pen and created a name for himself by writing it in bold letters. Basically, he is a symbol of nationalism for many.
How is Francis M. any different?
In 1990, Francis M. released his first album entitled "Yo!". Included in the album is his groundbreaking song "Mga Kababayan Ko". With this song, he kick-started the genre of Pinoy Hiphop. Moreover, as the song resounded in the air, he exuded the aura of Pinoy pride. As his life and fame progressed, this pride became more pronounced. his songs, look, and words speak "I'm a Pinoy and proud of it". Until his death, he encouraged everyone to be proud of their heritage and their being "kayumanggi".
Francis Magalona is one of my inspirations. i was so moved by his untimely death so much that I stopped writing on my exam paper for 15 solid minutes to contemplate on the fact and utter a short prayer. When I got home, I went to the computer and created an emblem of three stars and the sun (Francis M. is fond of using these symbols from the Philippine flag). The emblem is in my albums. Grab it if you want.
Now, as we listen to his song "Kaleidoscope World", let us say our prayers for him, and let us thank him for forever changing the nature of Filipinos.
Kaleidoscope World - Francis Magalona
"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." -Professor Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
yah, i know. and when he died everybody started singing that song and everybody visited his multiply site (including me). lol. awww.. im gonna miss his rap though. he's the best!