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Magalona's relatives, celebrity friends start pouring into Medical City


MANILA, Philippines - After news broke out about Francis Magalona’s death, the first wave of celebrity friends and relatives rushed to The Medical City Hospital in Mandaluyong City. In a GMA "Flash Report," reporter Sandra Aguinaldo said that among the first personalities to condole with the family of Magalona were long-time friends Michael V, singer Ogie Alcasid, and Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista. Also rushing to the hospital was veteran actress Rosa Rosal, who chairs the Philippine National Red Cross Blood Donation program. Magalona died around noon after losing his battle with leukemia. Comedian Michael V said Magalona died with his his entire family around him. After spending some time with Magalona’s family at the hospital, Michael V went outside and told reporters how much the Philippines’ “master rapper" had influenced him in his rap music career. While expressing grief over the news, Bautista said he would immediately busy himself with arranging for the wake of Magalona. The Magalona family has yet to announce where the late TV host wake would be. Magalona's bout with leukemia was made public last year. In a public statement, he admitted he was battling the disease. A blood drive was subsequently announced for the singer. The 44-year-old singer-composer told the Philippine Entertainment Portal last December 2008 that he had survived a delicate medical condition days before he was dispatched from a hospital. "Akala ko kasi magki-Christmas ako sa ospital, e, [I thought I would spend Christmas in the hospital] because I had a very, very, very close brush with death last December 4. I went into septic shock and it was a very scary moment," he said in an earlier interview. It was announced last year that Magalona was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant. "My doctor said I'm in remission right now after my third chemo cycle. So, my next move would be to do the bone marrow transplant and I'm very happy to announce that I was able to find a match. One of my sisters from the States we have the same tissue typing so she would be my donor," he added. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
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