(From left) Gloc-9 and Francis Magalona. Images: Instagram/@glocdash9, FILE PHOTO
Gloc-9 looked back on his close relationship with the late Francis Magalona, sharing that Master Rapper even lent him money to sustain his nursing education back then.
In a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview on Wednesday, July 24, Gloc-9 opened up about his friendship with Magalona and Andrew E, when asked about his relationship with fellow rappers in the industry.
“Noong wala akong tuition fee pang-nursing, kinakapalan ko mukha ko. Sabi ko, ‘Sir Kiks, pwede ba akong mangutang sa’yo?’ Sasabihin niya sa’kin, ‘Daan ka dito sa ‘[Eat] Bulaga,’ bigyan kita ng pera pang tuition mo,’” Gloc-9 recalled, referring to Magalona using his nickname.
(When I didn’t have enough money for my tuition fee for nursing, I swallowed my pride. I asked, “Sir Kiks, is it okay if I can borrow money from you?” He would tell me, “Come to “Eat Bulaga,” I will give you money for your tuition.”)
The “Sirena” hitmaker pointed out that Magalona had “no strings attached,” and he made it a point to return the money to not break the late rapper’s trust.
“Walang strings attached. Siya ang nagsabi nito. ‘Ang pera kinikita. Ang kaibigan, mahirap.’ I made it a point na ibalik ‘yun (There were no strings attached. He told me this, ‘You can earn money. You can’t earn friends.’ I made it a point to return it),” he said.
Another cherished moment that Gloc-9 had with Magalona is when he asked the latter to be the godfather of his twin children.
“Si Sir Kiks ay ibang level. Ninong siya ng aking mga kambal… There was one time noong inimbitahan ko siya sa binyag tapos meron siyang lunch with his family and [kumain sila] malapit d’un sa binyag para maka-attend,” he said.
(Sir Kiks is on another level. He’s the godfather to my twins. There was one time when I invited him to their baptismal ceremony. He had a lunch with his family then, and they chose to eat near the venue so he would be able to attend.)
Despite their friendship, Gloc-9 would always consider himself as Magalona’s “number one” fan, and grateful for the chance to be friends with the “Kaleidoscope World” singer as well.
“Nahihiya pa rin ako minsan kay Sir Kiks pero kapag nagtetext kami, ang tawag niya sa’kin, anak. Ako’y fan, parang understatement pa nga ang number one fan. Pero ang isang tagahanga ay magkaroon ng relasyon sa kanyang iniidolo ay isang sobrang tagumpay para sa’kin,” he said.
(I’m still shy towards Sir Kiks but when we used to text, he calls me, son. I’m a fan. And calling myself his number one fan is an understatement. But having the chance to develop a good relationship with your idol is a huge success for me.)
On the other hand, Gloc-9 said he is good friends with Andrew E as well, and he would sometimes visit the latter at his home.
Magalona is one of the biggest names in Philippine hip-hop. He is best known for his hit songs “Mga Kababayan Ko,” “Kaleidoscope World,” “Cold Summer Nights,” “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy,” and “3 Stars and a Sun,” to name just a few. He died of Acute myeloid leukemia in March 2009.
Born Aristotle Pollisco, Gloc-9 is another leading figure in local hip-hop, having released the hit songs “Sirena,” “Upuan,” “Simpleng Tao,” “Magda,” and “Hinahanap ng Puso,” among others.