Maxene Magalona honors Francis M on his birthday, shares life lessons from late father
Maxene Magalona remembers her late father, Francis M, on his birthday. The Master Rapper would have turned 59 this year. Images: Instagram/@leoriingen and @maxenemagalona
Maxene Magalona remembered her late father, Philippine rap icon Francis Magalona or Francis M, on the latter’s birthday, and shared “some of the most important life lessons” she learned from the hitmaker.
On her Instagram, the “Viral Scandal” actress shared a glimpse of who the Master Rapper was, as she listed down his take on treating other people, being a celebrity, and expressing oneself, among others.
“Treat everyone equally with respect. He didn’t discriminate against others and spoke to the people around him respectfully, no matter what background they come from,” wrote Maxene of her “Pop,” who, she shared, also taught her to refrain from judging the choices that people make.
“He always used to say, ‘[W]alang basagan ng trip,”‘ which is often said by someone being criticized for getting into or doing something.
Under the same principle, the yoga enthusiast also shared her father’s perspective on his being in the spotlight. “Our work is just our means of living. It doesn’t mean that just because we appear on television, it makes us better or higher than others.”
The actress also talked about how her father “was always his genuine and authentic self — simple, real, down-to-earth and kind despite his iconic status.” She added how he “expressed his soul fearlessly,” and did not mind other people’s perception of him.
Maxene also named the TV host-actor as her “role model for love,” when she opened up about Francis M as a father. “Admittedly, he was not perfect as he would unconsciously project his own traumas on to us when he was much younger which was understandable given that he had us at the age of 21 [emoji] Despite his shortcomings as a father, I could always feel that his love for us was very deep and genuine,” she shared.
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Aside from posting a throwback video from her interview with her father for the show “5 and Up,” Maxene also uploaded on Instagram a clip of her listening to Francis M’s “3 Stars & A Sun.” In the caption, she wrote, “I am my father’s daughter [emoji] Happy birthday to the goat [emoji] P.S. If you want to give my Pop a gift, play his songs today and let your kids listen to his sacred messages [emoji].”
Her sister, Saab, shared the same sentiment in her dedication for their father on Instagram. “Pop would have been 59 today! [emoji] #FrancisMForever. Play his songs today! He would love that [emoji],” said the celebrity mom, who also uploaded a photo of her with their father from her childhood.
Meanwhile, on the Oct. 4 episode of “EAT,” Eunice Janine — who recently was crowned champion of the program’s “Sing Eat” segment — performed a pair of Francis M hits, “Mga Kababayan” and “Kaleidoscope World.” Ryan Agoncillo, along with some of the hosts, then gave a birthday shout-out to the long-time original “Eat Bulaga” mainstay. “Happy Birthday, Dabarkads Kiko,” said Agoncillo.
Francis M died in March 2009, after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in August 2008. Vic Sotto announced his death during the March 6 broadcast of “Eat Bulaga” 14 years ago. EDV
