Friends remember Francis M
by BOY VILLASANTA, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/06/2009 6:58 PM
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As early as Thursday night, Pia Arroyo Magalona was calling practically all her husband’s colleagues in the film and TV community to reveal the sad state of Francis Magalona’s health as he battled leukemia, beyond cure, at the Medical City in Pasig.
“Nagpaparamdam na si Kiko kay Pia,” TV reporter Josie Mañago revealed in a statement at the Broadway Centrum premises Friday afternoon.
“Nagpapahiwatig na wala nang pag-asa si Kiko pero nakakapagsalita pa nang bahagya. Nakapagbilin pa siya kay Pia,” added Mañago who has been close to the Magalonas.
“Tapos, kaninang magtatanghali, tumawag si Pia kay Bossing (Vic Sotto) informing him that hindi na magtatagal si Francis,” Josie said.
Then, at about twelve Friday high noon, master rapper and actor Francis M. passed away. He was forty four.
Everyone in the TAPE group was very shocked and teary-eyed when they heard the news.
“Hindi ako makaimik agad. I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do,” confessed Anjo Yllana who has been a very good friend of the deceased.
“Nakayuko na lang ako. Nagdasal at para akong natuyuan ng laway,” added Yllana who co-hosted with Kiko in a television noontime show.
Pauleen Lun, meanwhile, said she was also shocked. “Of course, I was caught flat-footed. I felt so sad. Imagine, he was with us for a long time and we were praying for his early recovery only to find out na wala na siya,” she said.
Like a brother
The young actress wouldn’t forget how brotherly Kiko was to her. “Marami kaming pinagsamahan n’yan,” she added.
Actress, activist and writer Bibeth Orteza couldn’t believe Magalona is gone. “I was shocked. Malou (Choa-Fagar) called me immediately and I rushed to Broadway Centrum to comfort her because she cares very much for her stars. But I think Kiko was ready,” said Orteza as she was alighting from her car.
Death, Bibeth said, is like a thief in the night which comes in the most unexpected moment. Like Francis, who suffered from leukemia, Bibeth is also diagnosed with cancer, only hers is breast cancer.
Joey de Leon said he feels he lost a comrade in the arts. “I will miss him and his arts. Remember we are both painters. He’s like a younger brother to me,” said the comedian.
Luckier than most
The comic philosophized Kiko’s death in relation to a prayer said for the dead, and said Francis was luckier than most of us.
“Di ba, may kasabihan na ipanalangin natin ang namatay. Mas mabuti na tayo ang ipanalangin ng namatay,” Joey said. When asked why, de Leon answered: “Because he’s already with Him and he can ask Him to pray for us."
What would Francis pray for people like Joey? “Marami. Like, mga personal na buhay natin. Magkakakilala kasi tayo,” he said. Asked if they would put up a foundation for leukemia victims, de Leon said that we must pray for him first, before we think of other plans.
Director Tony Reyes, who had directed Francis in one or two of his movies, said he thought the actor was too young to die. “He’s a jolly person,” said Reyes.
Jimmy Santos felt unhappy about the turn of events in Francis’ life. “Sayang at namatay agad siya. Ang dami pa niyang magagawa,” he said.
Fans who gathered around Broadway Centrum, especially the so-called “currimao,” were lonely upon learning their idol’s demise.
Everyone in the vicinity paused for a short prayer while Kiko’s co-hosts and co-stars got together inside the dressing room to pray for him.
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