Celebrities pay tribute to Francis Magalona
Celebrities paid tribute to Filipino music icon Francis Magalona on Saturday in a mix of sorrow and celebration, exactly a year after the rapper-songwriter succumbed to leukemia. Magalona's actress-daughter Maxene, clad in shirts bearing her father's face, led a group of rappers in singing the Magalona hits "Man from Manila" and "Higante" on the noontime show Eat Bulaga. The show's hosts, led by Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, presented a bust of the rapper to his family led by his widow Pia Magalona. "Ngayong araw na nagpaalam tayo [kay] Kiko Magalona..Pasasalamat na rin ito para sa buong pamilya Magalona sa pagbibigay sa amin ng pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng Eat Bulaga si Francis Magalona. Tanggapin niyo ito mula sa lahat ng nagmamahal kay Kiko. Ito ang alaala ni Kiko. Patuloy na mananatili siya sa ating mga puso," a teary-eyed Sotto said.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Magalona, more popularly known as Kiko, co-hosted the noontime show with De Leon and Sotto, among others, even during his ordeal with leukemia. "Maraming salamat sa Eat Bulaga for this tribute to my dearest Francis M. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng suporta sa mga awit na ginawa niya, sa pakikinig sa kanyang mga tinuturo..You should not feel bad. You should celebrate life, kasi iyon ang gusto ni Francis M., na i-celebrate niya iyong sarili niyang buhay para gumanda talaga itong bansang Pilipinas. Kanya-kanya tayong gawa sa sarili natin," Pia Magalona said to loud applause from the audience. (Many thanks to Eat Bulaga for this tribute to my dearest Francis M. Many thanks for all the support for all the songs he made, for listening to his messages. You should not feel bad. You should celebrate life, because thatâs what Francis M.would have wanted, that he celebrate his own life to help glorify our country Philippines. Each of us are doing what we can.) Magalona passed away on March 6, 2009 at the age of 44. Considered a legend in the Filipino music industry, Magalona's popular songs include "Kaleidoscope World," "Mga Kababayan," "Halalan," "Meron Akong Ano!"âJV, GMANews.TV