Friday, August 15, 2008 Francis M suffers from leukemia
TV-HOST rapper Francis Magalona, 43, has been diagnosed with leukemia and urgently needs blood donations his family and friends say.
Magalona is undergoing several tests at the Medical City Hospital while some of his bosoms are actively doing a blood donation campaign for the Master Rapper.
He requested privacy from the media and has instead issued a formal statement read over the noontime show "Eat Bulaga" on Thursday regarding his condition.
It was read by the show's host Vic Sotto.
In the statement, Magalona said, "Sa lahat ng mga kabarkads ko dito sa Eat Bulaga, miss ko na kayong lahat. Araw araw magkakasama tayo at kayo'y naging second family ko na. Pati na rin lahat ng mga viewers sa mga bahay at sa studio."
"Ngayon meron akong isang pagsubok na dapat daanan at ang hiling ko lang ay ang inyong pagunawa at suporta. I have been diagnosed with leukemia and I am preparing for my treatment. Sa tulong ng Panginoon kakayanin ko po ito. Abangan ninyo ang aking pagbabalik hindi ko lang kayo miss, love ko kayong lahat," he added.
After reading Magalona's statement, Sotto also requested for prayers for the speedy recovery of the rapper.
All of the show's hosts, staffs and viewers showed their support to the rapper by displaying posters with encouraging short messages.
Meanwhile, as a support for Magalona, some of his friends in the music industry particularly Pupil band manager and the rapper's good friend Day Cabuhat posted on several yahoogroups their petition for blood for the master rapper.
It said "we would like to ask your generous help for someone very dear to all of us in the industry. Francis M has been diagnosed to have leukemia and we are currently doing a blood drive."
It added "Blood of any type and platelets may be donated at the Lower Ground Floor of Medical City, please just tell them you are donating under the name of Francis Magalona."
The medical City is located along Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.
Magalona has earlier requested for media to help in the campaign for blood.
"I don't want a media circus. I want privacy with my family. What I'd rather talk about is how to we can solicit blood donations to replace the supply that I have consumed in the hospital," he said.
Pia Arroyo, Magalona's wife said, "It (disease) was very gradual. We don't want to use the word 'curable,' but the doctors say it's treatable."
Magalona has eight children with Pia namely: Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actress Maxene Magalona.
Magalona is the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to successfully crossover to the mainstream.
He is the son of the late local movie icons Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.
He followed his parents' footsteps and ventured into acting, doing several films.
He gained popularity as he entered the music scene and released the groundbreaking album Yo! in 1990.
Magalona's song "Mga Kababayan" became a big hit making Yo! the first commercially released Pinoy rap album in the Philippines. It was also the start of the Filipino hip-hop's infusion to the mainstream.
He is the only man who managed to earn respect from music fans ranging from the hip-hop scene to pinoy rock. He worked with some legendary rock bands in the country like Parokya ni Edgar, Eraserheads and Sandwich.
In recognition of his remarkable talent and contribution in the music industry, he was granted several music awards like MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards Generations Award in 2006 and Pioneer Hall of Fame Award by Empire Entertainment in 2005. (JRDB/Sunnex)
