Celebrities and fans of the late master rapper Francis Magalona flocked to the Christ the King church in Greenmeadows in Quezon City Saturday to pay their last respects to the artist.

The rapper succumbed to leukemia past noon Friday after battling cancer for nearly eight months. He was 44.

The Magalona family agreed to have a public viewing for his fans from 6 am to 6 pm starting Saturday until Tuesday.

As early as 6 am on Saturday, fans had already lined up to see the remains of the country's leading rap artist. They said they will miss watching Francis M perform, but his music will remain in their hearts forever.

The Magalona family said they are grateful and overwhelmed by the public's expression of love and support for Francis M.

In a report from ABS-CBN's Entertainment Live on Saturday, one of the master rapper’s sons, Francis 'Frank' Magalona Jr., said, “We’re trying to fight the feeling that he has passed away. But it’s hard for me, for my whole family, especially my little siblings.”

When asked about how his other siblings are coping,  “Si Arkin, he doesn’t cry, pero he’s keeping it inside din…Pero si Clara, siya yung bunso namin, siya yung palaging umiiyak, pinapakita niya talaga how affected she is towards the loss. ”

Pro-Filipino

He expressed gratitude to his father’s millions of supporters. “Sa lahat ng sumusuporta kay Francis M, sa dad ko, mabuhay kayo, and continue to support not only him but the Filipino music and yung mismong pagiging patriotic sa ating bansa, kasi yun naman talaga yung pinaka essence ni Francis M, yung pagiging makabansa.”

Meanwhile, family members and friends from the music and television industry paid their respects to the master rapper.

Jet Pangan of The Dawn said, “We just hope that you’re happy and I’m sure you are. Just watch over us, man. We miss you”

“Sa industriya kasi iilan lang talaga yung totoong kaibigan ko eh. And Francis was the first and the best friend that I had,” Michael V said.

Big Brother

“Para talaga siyang kuya. Kung papaano siya magbigay ng payo--from religion to how to live a rock-and-roll lifestyle with discipline. Sobrang kahit anong gawin mo, he demands respect. We always looked up to him as a big brother,” Chito Miranda, a member of Parokya ni Edgar, said.

Maricar Martinez, Magalona’s sister, shared her last few moments with her brother, “Up to the last minute in the ICU [Intensive Care Unit], nagpapatawa siya. That’s what I really love about him. Every time when we’re in the hospital, we don’t do anything. Kami nila Pia, we just laugh.”

William Martinez said that Magalona was the vice-president of Bagets Foundation. The foundation aims to help send arts-inclined children to school.

Andrew E shared that he became friends with Magalona in 1986, back in the days when both were still competing for a break dancing contest in Glorietta.

Andrew E proudly admitted that he was once Magalona’s production assistant. “Namulat po ako sa unang ipinakita niya sa sakin ang mundo ng showbiz. Kaya hindi lang marami, hindi lang malaki kundi napakalaking utang na loob po sa isang Francis Magalona ang inyong lingkod, Andrew E.”

Source of strength

In an interview with Startalk on Saturday, Pia Arroyo-Magalona expressed deep sorrow over her husband’s untimely death.

The bereaved wife remained steadfast despite the incident, and said that, perhaps, it was her husband's will to move on to help alleviate her pain. She recounted the beautiful memories. She said spending time with her husband was always like one big party.

She said her husband put up a good fight, and that his eight kids--Una, Nicolo, Maxene, Francis Jr. Saab, Arkin, Elmo and Clara--were the sources of his strength

The king of Pinoy rap’s remains will be cremated on Wednesday, March 11, 9 am at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. -- by MIKI ESPE, abs-cbnNEWS.com; with reports from APPLES JALANDONI, ABS-CBN News; ANC