Francis Magalona
Background information
Birth name	Francis Durango Magalona
Also known as	FrancisM, Master Rapper, The Man From Manila, Kiko, The Mouth, The Filipino King of Rap
Born	October 4, 1964(1964-10-04)
Origin	Manila, Philippines
Died	March 6, 2009 (aged 44) Pasig, Philippines
Genres	Rap, Filipino hip hop, Rock, Funk, Manila sound
Occupations	Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, Actor, Director, Host, Photographer
Instruments	Vocals, harmonica, megaphone, microphone
Years active	1984 – 2009
Labels	PolyEast Records (1989-1993) Sony BMG (1994-2006)
Associated acts	Hardware Syndrome Joey Ayala Ryan Cayabyab The Eraserheads Planet Garapata Perfecto de Castro Michael V. Parokya ni Edgar Gloc-9 Ely Buendia Evil Stepsisters
Website	Magalona.com

Francis Durango Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009), also known as FrancisM, Master Rapper, and The Man From Manila, was a Filipino rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. Often hailed as the “King of Pinoy Rap”, he was considered a legend in the Philippine music community. With the success of his earliest albums, he was the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to cross over to the mainstream. He is also credited for having pioneered the merging of rap with Pinoy rock, becoming a significant influence to artists in that genre as well. He was also a television host on MTV Asia and on noontime variety television show Eat Bulaga! Magalona died seven months after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Magalona was later awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit. The award’s citation noted that it had been given “for his musical and artistic brilliance, his deep faith in the Filipino and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us.”

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Family and early career

Magalona was the eighth of the nine children of actors Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, popular film stars of the 1940s and 1950s. His grandfather, Enrique Magalona, served in the Philippine Senate from 1946 to 1955. He graduated from High School at the Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong City from 1978 to 1981 and studied at the San Beda College in Manila from 1981-1984.

With the familiarity brought about by having celebrity parents, Magalona started out as a breakdancer in the 1980s. He was cast in several Filipino movies of that decade, including Bagets 2. He likewise gained attention as the resident DJ/rapper in the IBC-13 variety show Loveli’Ness.

Magalona was introduced by co-actor Richard Gomez to Pia Arroyo at a party in a disco owned by the late film director Ishmael Bernal, and the couple got married in 1985.  The couple had eight children, two of whom were Magalona’s stepchildren:  Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr. (Frank), Elmo, Clara, and television personalities Maxene, Saab and Arkin, who recently entered showbiz after his father’s death.

Music career

Filipino hip hop and nationalistic rap

In 1990, he released the groundbreaking album Yo!, the first commercially released Filipino rap album. Yo! included several popular singles such as “Mga Kababayan” (My Fellow Countrymen), “Gotta Let ‘Cha Know”, “Cold Summer Nights” and “Man From Manila”. With tracks that featured politically conscious and thought-provoking rhymes in both English and Tagalog, Yo! was a big success and helped catapult Filipino hip hop from underground to mainstream status. It also marked the birth of Makabayang (nationalistic) rap in Filipino hip hop.

Magalona remains highly respected in the Pinoy Rap scene

In 1992, Francis Magalona released Rap Is FrancisM (1992). With tracks addressing the various cultural and social problems that plagued his country such as drug addiction in “Mga Praning” (Paranoids), political instability in “Halalan” (Elections) as well as the detrimental effects of a colonial mentality in “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” (We Are Filipinos), the record’s complexity and conscious message quickly earned it its classic status and became the standard by which future albums of the genre were to be compared. This album helped tag Magalona as one of the most politically conscious voices of his generation.

Hardware Syndrome and the merging of rap with Pinoy rock

The release of his third album, Meron akong ano! (I Got Something!) in 1993 marked the beginning of Magalona’s experimentation with Pinoy rock. It also saw the birth of Hardware Syndrome–previously known as Cannabis—the band which would, with Magalona at its helm, introduce the merging of Pinoy Rock and Rap to the Filipino music audience. Members over the years included musicians Carlo Sison,Francis Villanueva, Niño Mesina, Boyet Aquino, Elmer Blancaflor, Noel Mendez, Perf de Castro, Benjie “Bagets” Mendez, Albert Tamayo, DJ Kimozave, DJ Radikal MK, Kenji Marquez, Jack Rufo, and Wendell Garcia.

Magalona was soon cited for excellence in both genres of music. He frequently collaborated with other OPM luminaries such as Joey Ayala, Heber Bartolome of Banyuhay, Ryan Cayabyab, Mike Hanopol of Juan Dela Cruz Band, Andrew E., Michael V. and the Eraserheads. In the latter part of his career, Magalona worked together with Gloc 9 and Parokya ni Edgar. In 1994, Magalona moved from Octo-Arts EMI Philippines, which had released all of his previous albums, to BMG Records Pilipinas, the same label as the seminal Pinoy rock group, The Eraserheads.

Freeman was released the following year, 1995, and firmly established Magalona’s legitimacy in the Pinoy rock scene. Tracks like “Three Stars & A Sun”, “Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan”, “Suckin’ on Helium/Kaleidoscope World” would become defining touch-points in Magalona’s body of work. A track titled “Intellectual Property Rights” would sample a speech by then-president Fidel V. Ramos. Intellectual property rights was an issue that would continue to be an important and very personal advocacy for Magalona.^[ "Kaleidoscope World" went on to win 1996 Awit Award for Best Produced Record of the Year, and the 1996 NU 107 Rock Award for Song of the Year. Its music video was directed by the celebrated director/cinematographer Raymond Red

Magalona's next album,Happy Battle, was released in 1996. The launch for the video-game themed album at the Hard Rock Cafe in Makati was noted by the press for its wide range of influences: aside from fans of Magalona's music, he had showbiz fans and coworkers from Eat Bulaga!, where he had already started hosting; and two sets of Sony Playstations with giant screens set up so people could play video games while watching the gig. The album was also notable for a number of significant collaborations: "Unstrung Heroes" with Ely Buendia; "Sapot", with project band Planet Garapata, which included Raimund Marasigan, Jeng Tan and Mark Lakay, who would later form Sandwich; and "Make Your Move" with pioneer Filipino punk band Betrayed. In keeping with the nationalistic theme in Magalona's work, 1-800-Ninety-Six was written in celebration of the centennial of the Philippine revolution of 1896. "Rainy" won Best Folk song, and the album itself would became the first and only album to win Best Rock and Best Rap Album at the Katha Awards. When Magalona was diagnosed with Leukemia, he and his wife Pia would use the album name "Happy Battle" as a reference to his fight against cancer.

Magalona at The Community Philippine Hip-Hop Summit 2007

Later albums with Sony Music

The 1998 album The Oddventures of Mr. Cool saw a move from the last two albums' heavy guitar sound and explored mellow, urban-style rapping. It featured the song "Whole Lotta Lovin'", whose music is a sample of the Eraserheads song "Alapaap".

Later albums with BMG (now with Sony Music) would include Interscholastic (1999) which featured adaptations of various artists' songs; and Freeman 2 (2001), which would echo many of the themes that had made the first Freeman album so popular. In 2002, his greatest hits album The Best of FrancisM was released by Musiko and Sony BMG Philippines. 2004 in turn saw the release of a single titled "Pambihira Ka".

Independent projects

In 2002, with the assistance of then FUBU Philippines' management employees Carlo Maniquiz and Nick Tuazon, Magalona launched a compilation album of the same name.

Magalona founded his own record company called Red Egg Records, and a production company, Filipino Pictures Inc., where he served as the resident Director. Through his production company, Magalona produced and directed music videos for several bands and solo artists such as Ely Buendia. His work on Sponge Cola's "KLSP" won Best Rock Video at the 2006 MYX Video Awards.

Shortly before his death, Magalona collaborated with Ely Buendia and other Filipino artists on an album with the working title The Sickos Project, which was later named as "In Love and War". It will be released posthumously. Both Francis M. and Ely Buendia were having health problems at that time. The album's carrier single is "Higante" (giant) which is about illness and strengths. Its music video was released on September 2009.

In an interview, Ely Buendia described his self as a "ticking timebomb" and Francis Magalona as "on borrowed time." The album will include a documentary about Ely and Francis, shot by Magalona's very own production company Filipino Pictures.

Magalona at Ninoy Aquino Airport in Manila

Television career

In 1997, Magalona played the lead role in the made-for-TV movie Kamada by Raymond Red. The film, a full length feature shot on 16 mm, received awards from The Philippines Broadcasting Television and Asian TV Awards duyring the same year.

And in addition to co-hosting LoveliNess, Magalona was one of the original members of the youth oriented show That's Entertainment in 1987. He was also a co-host of the Philippine noon-time variety show Eat Bulaga! as well as being a VJ for MTV Asia and Channel V.  He was MTV Asia's first Filipino VJ and remained with the network from 1996 to 2000.

He was also chosen by Fremantle Media, owners of American Idol as one of the judges of in the first Philippine Idol season that aired on ABC-5). Magalona and his fellow judges Ryan Cayabyab and Pilita Corrales were not retained when the franchise transferred to GMA-7 in 2008. Aside from television, he also hosted live events and presentations.

Other endeavors

In his last years, Magalona also turned his attention to photography, a hobby which he began to take more seriously when he started submitting pictures to magazines for publication. News reports note that he was overjoyed when he was accepted as a member of the prestigious Camera Club of the Philippines, and eventually received critical acclaim for his photographs.

Branching out into fashion, Magalona also established a clothing line named FMCC, standing for "FrancisM Clothing Co." FMCC also operates it's stores under the "3 Stars & A Sun" brand.

And way before celebrity blogs had become the norm, Francis had begun blogging to communicate with fans. His website, A Free Man, chronicled his latest projects, new endeavors and even family affairs such as birthday parties and other activities with his children. His wife Pia, and some of his children had likewise started their own websites.

He also started a foundation with Ely Buendia called Heartist Foundation, which aims to help Filipino artists with health and commercial concerns.

Illness and death

Magalona was diagnosed on August 8, 2008, with acute myeloid leukemia at the Medical City Hospital, Pasig City. Appealing to the media and the public, Magalona said:

I don’t want a media circus, [...] I want privacy with my family. What I’d rather talk about is how we can solicit blood donations to replace the supply that I have consumed in the hospital.

—Francis Magalona, August, 2008

After his first treatment and discharge, he made his return on Eat Bulaga together with Ely Buendia, who had also been recently discharged. Not wanting to let the disease get the better of him, he remained active, chronicling his battle with the disease on his blogs and continuing to pursue his creative efforts in spite of his illness. His daughter Maxene noted that “He always did what he wanted to do. He never let anyone or anything stop him from doing what he loved to do. He still went to the Camera Club, he still took pictures, every time he was discharged from the hospital, he recorded songs with Ely Buendia. He taught us that life is short but it can be well lived. Don’t waste your time in the world.”

His wife, Pia, later described her husband’s battle with the disease, saying “Francis was a very passionate person. When he was angry, he was very expressive. He would get angry with his cancer. That was his way of coping with it. But he didn’t give up. I remembered that he told me, ‘I’m going down fighting.’

On March 6, 2009, at 12 noon, Magalona succumbed to multi organ failure secondary to septic shock, secondary to pneumonia in the immunocompromised (immediate cause); acute respiratory failure secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome (antecedent cause); underlying cause: acute myleogenous leukemia blast crisis.  He had undergone several chemotherapy sessions since he was diagnosed the previous year, and had been expected to undergo a bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT).

The announcement was first made over Eat Bulaga!. News of his death sparked a surge of web traffic to several Philippine news sites, causing a momentary slowdown in the operation of those sites. Guests at his wake included the late former president Corazon Aquino, along with other politicians and artists who paid tribute to Magalona’s contribution to Filipino music, and to national pride – the dominant advocacy theme in FrancisM’s music.  Fans arrived in droves to pay their last respects, some of them making a point to wear shirts from Magalona’s FMCC line. Numerous television programs, ranging from noontime variety shows to primetime newscasts and late night news documentaries, paid tribute to Magalona.

He had been slated to appear as a special surprise guest at the Eraserheads’ “the Final Set” reunion concert on March 7, 2009. Since he died the day before, the band instead dedicated the concert to Magalona. Buendia rapped the 22-bar portion in Superproxy which Magalona wrote, and the concert’s penultimate song was the reprise of Kaleidoscope World.

Magalona’s remains were cremated before daybreak on March 11, 2009. After the last rites, his ashes were then brought to his final resting place at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, causing traffic to stall in the Marikina Riverbanks area near the park as fans joined the convoy. The Philippine Army also rendered military honors to Magalona in recognition of his patriotism and service as a sergeant in the reserves. His widow, Pia, received the flag draped on his coffin.

Post-death crisis

The Magalona family was also firm against any attempts to capitalize on FrancisM’s death. On March 17, 2009, a group of Filipino expatriates in Dubai, UAE, and Ontario, Canada, announced plans to hold tribute concerts where performers will sing his songs, with the proceeds supposedly going to a foundation set up in his honor and to the Philippine Red Cross. Pia and Maxene later came out and denounced the organizers, saying that both concerts did not have the family’s blessings and the foundation did not exist. They also particularly admonished the Ontario organizers for using the Red Cross to attract attendees. Pia also asked the public not to patronize sellers of fake FMCC goods, which started to appear within days of Magalona’s death. Their house was broken into three times, with his personal items being the main targets. One of them was a laptop computer where other unpublished FMCC designs were stored.

Magalona holds up two medals awarded by the Camera Club of the Philippines

Honors and Legacy

Magalona would ultimately be cited not just the “King of Philippine rap” but also “The Father of Pinoy Hip Hop”. Magalona’s contributions to the genre have been featured in several international hip hop publications including the All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap and Hip-Hop (2003) published by Backbeat Books; as well as the May 2004 issue of the U.S.-based publication The Source. He was also given the Pioneer Hall of Fame Award by Empire Entertainment at the 1st Annual Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards in 2005.

Magalona was the recipient of the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards Generations Award in 2006 “in recognition of his career that has spanned decades and broken boundaries, and for his music which continues to inspire generations of artists and music fans both here and abroad.” He was the second person so honored, the first having been singer Gary Valenciano at the 2005 rites.

On March 18, 2009, the Philippine Government – through the efforts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts — recognized Magalona with by awarding him a posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit. The award’s citation noted that it had been given “for his musical and artistic brilliance, his deep faith in the Filipino and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us.”

His daughter Maxene has indicated that she intends to continue Magalona’s projects, including his The Sickos Project album with Buendia, and a documentary about his battle with cancer. The young actress stated: “We will coordinate with the people he had been working with, [...] I understand that Papa is a big part of history.”

Discography

PolyEast Records

Sony Music Philippines

• 1995 Freeman
• 1996 Happy Battle
• 1998 The Oddventures of Mr. Cool
• 1999 Interscholastic
• 2001 Freeman 2
• 2002 The Best of FrancisM
• 2004 “Pambihira Ka” (single)

Other

• 2008 F Word
• 2009 In Love and War (Originally The Sickos Project) (with Ely Buendia, Hilera and Hardware Syndrome)

Television appearances

• MTV Pilipinas Music Video Award 2006
• Eat Bulaga! (his last TV appearance)
• S.O.P. (Guest Co-host)
• A Telefantastic Christmas: The GMA All-Star Spcecial (2005)
• True Love: Eat Bulaga Special (2005)
• Philippine Idol (Judge)
• Fam Jam (2005-2006)
• Myx Live (2005)
• Show Ko ‘to (2004)
• Astigmatism (2004) as Victim 1
• The Manager: Eat Bulaga Special (2003)
• GMA Telesine Specials
• MTV Talk
• MTV’s Life’s A Beach
• Music Bureau
• Kamada (1997)
• Channel V: Sigaw Manila (1995)
• Student Canteen
• That’s Entertainment
• Plaza 1899
• U. F. O. (Urbana, Felisa & Others)
• Loveli Ness (co host)
• Vilma In Person (co host)

Filmography

• Anak ni Brocka (2005)
• Kwentong kayumanggi (2002) as Narrator – Hundreds Island and the Bravery of Datu Mabiskeg
• Tong-its (1996)
• Ano ba ‘yan 2 (1993)
• Mama’s Boys (1993)
• Engkanto (1992) as Uban
• Estribo Gang: The Jinggoy Sese Story (1992)
• Joey Boy Munti, 15 anyos ka sa Muntilupa (1991)
• Iputok mo… dadapa ako!!! (1990)
• Gumapang ka sa lusak (aka Dirty Affair) (1990)
• Hati tayo sa magdamag (1988)
• Action Is Not Missing (1987)
• Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin (1987)
• Family Tree (1987) as Edwin
• Ninja Kids (1986) as Tone
• Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick (1985)
• Bagets 2 (1984) as Ponce

Endorsements

• Nescafe RTD (his last TV commercial)
• Lucky Me! Supreme La Paz Batchoy Flavor
• Royal Tru-Orange

References

1.  ”GMA News Research: Francis Magalona“. GMA News. 2009-03-60. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/151676/Francis-Magalona. Retrieved 2009-03-31. 
2. Pocholo Concepcion (2009-03-07). “FrancisM loses ‘happy battle’; 44“. Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090307-192805/FrancisM-loses-happy-battle-44. Retrieved 2009-03-07. 
3.  ”Francis Magalona to receive presidential medal“. GMA News and Public Affairs. 2009-03-08. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/151901/Francis-Magalona-to-receive-presidential-medal. 
4. Guinto, Joel; Burgonio, TJ (2009-03-19), “Palace honors FrancisM“, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net, http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090319-194942/Palace-honors-FrancisM 
5. Romero, Paolo (2009-03-19), “A presidential medal of merit for Francis M“, The Philippine Star, http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=449928&publicationSubCategoryId=63 
6. The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) (2009-03-09). “Francis Magalona,Filipino People’s Artist, 44“. Press release. http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/09/18575709.php. Retrieved 2009-03-10. 
7. Magalona, Francis (December 24, 2001). “The Magalonas of Antipolo“. Genealogy.com. http://www.genealogy.com/genealogy/users/m/a/g/Francis-Magalona/index.html. Retrieved 2009-03-10. 
8. Philippine Entertainment Portal (2007-07-23). “PEP list: Hot male celebrities in their 40s“. GMA News. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/52217/PEP-list-Hot-male-celebrities-in-their-40s. Retrieved 2009-03-09. 
9. Erika Tapalla (2009-03-08). “Magalona kids find strength in each other“. Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090308-193024/Magalona-kids-find-strength-in-each-other. Retrieved 2009-03-09. 
10.  ”Francis M. dies of leukemia, 44“. Manila Times. 2009-03-07. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/march/07/yehey/top_stories/20090307top7.html. Retrieved 2009-03-08. 
11.  ”King of Philippine rap, Francis Magalona, dies“. Associated Press. MSNBC. 2009-03-06. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29543350/. Retrieved 2009-03-08. 
12.  Magalona, Francis (March 3, 2006). “The Hardware Syndrome“. A Free Mind. http://francismagalona.multiply.com/journal/item/93/The_Hardware_Syndrome. Retrieved March 9, 2009. 
13.  (1995) Release notes for Freeman by Francis Magalona (CD Inlay Card). BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc., Musiko Records.
14. Magalona, Francis (March 3, 2006). “Kaleidoscope World“. A Free Mind. http://francismagalona.multiply.com/journal/item/281/Kaleidoscope_World_. Retrieved March 19, 2009. 
15.  ”Winners from the Previous Rock Awards“. DWNU 107.5. March 3, 2006. http://www.nu107fm.com/?page=past#a. Retrieved March 19, 2009. 
16. (1996) Release notes for Happy Battle by Francis Magalona (CD Inlay Card). BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc., Musiko Records.
17. Ramos, Cris O (2004-10-09). “Urban Noypis (Part 2)“. ManilaTimes.net. Archived from the original on 2005-01-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20050116144726/http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/oct/09/yehey/enter/20041009ent1.html. 
18. “Eat Bulaga! to pay tribute to Francis M Saturday“. GMANews.TV. 2009-03-06. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/151690/Eat-Bulaga-to-pay-tribute-to-Francis-M-Saturday. Retrieved 2009-03-07. 
19. “Raymond Red“. http://www.raymondred.com/About_RaymondRed.html. Retrieved 2009-03-10. 
20. “Francis Magalona Official Site and Blog Page“. http://francismagalona.multiply.com. Retrieved 2005-03-15. 
21. Pocholo Concepcion (2008-08-13). “Rapper Francis Magalona diagnosed with leukemia“. Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080813-154425/UPDATE-Francis-M-diagnosed-with-leukemia. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
22. Morales, Izah; Cruz, Marinel (2009-03-08), “Songs keep mood upbeat at FrancisM wake“, Philippine Daily Inquirer, http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090308-192951/Songs-keep-mood-upbeat-at-FrancisM-wake, retrieved 2009-03-08 
23. Cruz, Marinel; Tapalla, Erika (2009-03-08), “Maxene wants to make her papa proud“, Philippine Daily Inquirer, http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090308-193025/Maxene-wants-to-make-her-papa-proud, retrieved 2009-03-09 
24. Lo, Ricardo (2009-03-09). “Pia a pillar of strength“. Funfare (The Philippine Star). http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446873&publicationSubCategoryId=70. 
25. Gerry Plaza (2009-03-06). “Rapper Francis Magalona passes away“. Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090306-192678/Rapper-Francis-Magalona-passes-away. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
26. Erwin Santiago (2009-03-06). “Master Rapper Francis M succumbs to cancer“. Philippine Entertainment Portal. http://www.pep.ph/news/21046/Master-Rapper-Francis-M-succumbs-to-cancer. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
27. Dino Maragay (2009-03-06). “Rapper-actor Francis Magalona succumbs to cancer“. Philippine Star. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446090&publicationSubCategoryId=200. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
28. “Francis M’s death leads to RP Web traffic surge“. GMA News.TV. 2009-03-06. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/151709/Francis-Ms-death-leads-to-RP-Web-traffic-surge. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
29. Morales, Izah (2009-03-08), “Aquino visits Francis Magalona wake; More stars come to mourn“, Philippine Daily Inquirer, http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090308-192899/Aquino-visits-Francis-Magalona-wake, retrieved 2009-03-08 
30.  Magalona, F. “Super Proximity”, A Free Mind, January 8, 2007. Link is inactive as of February 11, 2007, Google cache version found on February 11, 2007
31. Alberto, Thea (2009-03-11), “One last round of applause for Magalona“, Philippine Daily Inquirer, http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090311-193472/Magalona-casket-brought-out-of-church, retrieved 2009-03-08 
32.  Pagsolingan, Karen A. (2009-03-17). “Francis M “tribute concerts” in Canada and Dubai do not have his family’s blessing“. PEP.ph. http://www.pep.ph/news/21167/Pia-Magalona-says-%22tribute-concerts-for-Francis-M%22-in-Canada-and-Dubai-are-fake. Retrieved 2009-10-22. 
33. Mendoza, Ruel J. (2009-05-02). “Pia Magalona overwhelmed that Martin Nievera will wear t-shirt designed by Francis M in Pacquiao-Hatton fight“. PEP.ph. http://www.pep.ph/news/21634/Pia-Magalona-overwhelmed-that-Martin-Nievera-will-wear-t-shirt-designed-by-Francis-M-in-Pacquiao-Hatton-fight. Retrieved 2009-10-22. 
34. “1st Philippine Annual Hip-hop Music Awards“. Titik Pilipino. http://www.titikpilipino.com/news/index.php?aid=397&offset=0&expanded=. 

A big tnx’s and acknowledgement on Wikipedia regarding this article

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Alonso Realonda was a noted Filipino nationalist. He played a prominent role in advocating reforms in the Philippines, during Spanish supremacy. Recognized as the national hero, his death anniversary is celebrated as Rizal Day, a Philippine holiday…

 A glimpse in a life story of Dr. Jose Rizal….

José Rizal was born to Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado Alejandra II and Teodora Morales Alonso Realonda Quintos. He hailed from a family of prosperous farmers. Rizal was the seventh of eleven children. José’s father adopted the family name ‘Rizal’ from ‘Ricial’, which meant ‘green fields’. Even as a child, José advocated political ideas ahead of the time. He spoke of freedom and citizen rights, issues that brought on the ire of the authorities. He actively participated in poetry and essay writing and made notable contributions to Philippine literature. He openly criticized Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

Rizal graduated from Ateneo Municipal de Manila. He obtained a Land Surveyor and Assessor Degree. He also studied Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters. And, this was not all; he registered for the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery course in ophthalmology, but did not complete the course on account of indiscriminate behavior against Filipino students. Instead, he opted for Licentiate in Medicine from the Universidad Central de Madrid.

Rizal also attended the University of Paris and Heidelberg for a second doctorate. His induction as a member of Berlin’s Ethnological and Anthropological Society is immortalized in his poem, ‘A las flores del Heidelberg’. He strongly advocated unification of Oriental and Occidental values. Rizal is fondly remembered as a multi-faceted scholar. He displayed facets of his persona as a polymath, ophthalmologist, educator and historian, alongside artistic pursuits like painting, sculpting and creative writing. Rizal is remembered for authoring two popular novels: Noli me Tangere and El filibusterismo.

Rizal advocated a political system that presented scope for Philippine’s participation in the Cortes, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and equal rights for all citizens. In 1892, he legalized these social reforms, at the expense of being disbanded. He was openly declared ‘enemy of the state’ by the Spanish due to his rebellious nature and ideologies promoted in his novels. He was imprisoned in 1896, while his brother, Paciano, was tortured by the Spanish authorities. Due to his participation in the nascent rebellion in 1892, Rizal was deported to Zamboanga. There, he not only helped the locals to build a school and hospital, but also led the effort towards incorporating a better water supply system.

He was supportive of self sufficiency of the youth and resourcefulness of farmers. The four years of exile were also ones that witnessed the development of the revolution back home. Inspite of being elected as Honorary President of the Katipunan, he condemned the revolution. Rizal courted Josephine Bracken, an Irish woman. He did not marry her since marriage would require him to embrace Catholicism, which was against the revolution. 1896 witnessed a nationwide uprising in the Philippines, resulting in the proclamation of a democratic republic. Rizal chose to serve in Cuba, to help victims of yellow fever. Enroute, Rizal was arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila. He was tried before a court-martial on the charges of ‘rebellion’ and ‘conspiracy’. Rizal was convicted and sentenced to death.

Lupang Hinirang

Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
‘Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula at awit
Sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y ‘di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na ‘pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo.