Remembering Francis

Francis is dead!

I learned about it only last night, and it kinda surprised me to have felt this affected. I mean he didn’t know me and I didn’t know him. He’s just an actor I used to see every noon at Eat Bulaga. I saw him in Bagets. I knew his “Mga Kababayan by heart even after 19 years. While the tv revealed his death, a Francis doing a running man played in my mind. I was an admirer. I still am. But I also admired Marky Cielo and Fernando Poe Jr. but the news about each of these celebrities’ death did not bother me as much as Francis’ death did.

I was not a fan. But I have always admired Francis Magalona. He’s a really good musician. I love his compositions—always deep in meaning: touching on the core of humanity, prompting one to get up and act and be proud of being a Filipino.

I watched Eat Bulaga’s tribute to the Master Rapper. I saw how Francis touched these kids. Even Humanap ka ng Pangit Rapper was trying to lighten and liven the mood, something which, I felt Francis would have appreciated; the general atmosphere was that of a trying-to-be-happy party.

And then I saw and listened to Ricky Lo’s interview with Pia and the kids. And Ricky Lo was asking a question whether Pia saw it coming. And her answer was kind of familiar. And she said something like, “The first time, akala ko, iyun na. Baka hindi na kami makakalabas. The second time, akala ko, ito na. After that, nasanay na kami na ganun, hindi ko na inisip na baka nga yun na. So talagang mapagbiro yong panahon.”

It was Katkat’s experience all over again. Pia was describing exactly our experiences with Katkat, who had a kiddie version of Francis’ AML. I guess that’s why I was so affected by the rapper’s passing. His family and ours are bound by the same experience of struggle, loss, and moving on.

Besides, losing a beloved is something everyone of us share in common. I know, in time, his family will be healed. For after all, all this will pass. Though how long it would take to heal, no one can tell. Somehow, I still have to heal from my loss.

Again, I pray this for Francis M. and his family:

Oh, Jesus, bless them, help them, heal them.

Amen.