Goodbye Pinoy Master Rapper – Francis M.

It is 9PM. The necrological rites for Francis Magalona may have already started at Christ The King Church in GreenMeadows.

The recent death of Francis M when he succumbed to leukemia was really felt by the show business industry – and more importantly, by at least 2 generations.

Francis M, 44 year old Pinoy rapper and host, actor and endorser not only touched the people in the late 30s generation, but even the mid-20s and the late teens of today.

Francis M – was a voice of my generation.  In the late 90’s when rapping found its way here  – he was the one who embraced that medium and turned it into a patriotic expression for the young.  His rap compositions were clean, upbeat and very distinctly oozing with pride as a Filipino.  I remember the Royal Commercials he made and the powerful messages of being a filipino that he sent across.

Francis M – made it cool to be a Filipino.  His work paved the way for the new birth of new Filipino styles of singing, composition and other musical expressions.

His piece ‘Mga Kababayan” – sent powerful messages of values and patriotism as he rapped about what we can do as Filipino people.

Here is the link to his Francis Magalona’s multiply account:

http://francismagalona.multiply.com/

January 2009

“I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To His will I submit myself.”
Tonight at 12 midnight, his body will be cremated.  His cremains will be buried tomorrow at the Loyola Memorial Gardens next to his parents.

Goodbye Francis. You had given this generation a voice – and for that, we will always be grateful.

You will be sorely missed.

Support Hour

Remember, this is our planet.  Let us do what we can to save it. Let us become the stewards we were all meant to be.

Join us and let your friends and communities know.  Let us sing, fellowship, worship with our candles on.  Go for a stroll and admire the creation. Walk the dog. Listen to the music. Stare at the heavens.  Embrace a loved one for an hour.

Do anything – just don’t switch on the lights!

A pastor was shot dead…

What a depressing news!  After 60 years, Circuit City has closed all of its stores in the United States. The rest of the inventory was sold for less than 1.5Billion USD. 34,000 people were being laid off across the United States.  Their business interventions initiated since November 2008 have all failed.  Now all the stores are going to be permanently closed.

One wonders how long and how deep this economic slide is going to be?

One news item in Canton, Ohio showed about 800 job applicants for a school custodian.  It pays $15 – 16/hour.  One could only imagine how deep and how bad the economy is doing in their town when 800 people and more are applying for the same job.  People from all different educational backgrounds have applied for this position.

God, the whole world is hurting right now.  So many thousands of people have lost their means of income.  People are going to be hungry – and many people have lost their homes, investments, savings…. Lord, people are losing their all.

Please be merciful.  Please surround us with your mercy and grace.

As people get to be fearful because of these economic losses, may we all find our strength, comfort, provision and protection in the loving arms of Christ Jesus!