Loss

At a little after noon today, I got a text message from my sister informing me that a friend had passed away after a long, heroic battle against cancer. Within minutes, I received several text messages informing me of the same sad news. I still couldn't believe it, and had a horrible cry alone in the house.

I knew the man like everyone else - Francis Magalona, Francis M, Kiko, Franz... a famous rap artist, a television host, a loving father, a cool husband, a friendly guy who gets along with everybody, a great friend...

Francis was my VJ on MTV Asia when I worked as the producer for the Philippines. He was easy to work with, full of smart ideas, had a ready smile and the camera loved him. He was a consummate professional. He was always surrounded by people, and he fed off their energy as they reveled in his.

He was the first guy to text me that Princess Diana had passed away (funny what one remembers). We hosted the Tower Records' launch in Manila. It was one of the best gigs I had as he made it so easy. He's always at the top of his game. And there were countless other gigs - concerts, interviews, video shoots, awards nights... I remember when we talked about his "new gig," as a guest host for Eat Bulaga, a popular noontime variety show. It didn't seem like a good fit for such a cool guy. But he worked it, and he stayed with the show til the very end. And so many discussions about "the scene..."

I found out he was sick last year. It came as a shock then, and then as a further revelation of what a great guy he was. I had lost touch with him since I left Manila some eight-odd years ago. Funny enough, it was through his Multiply site, which chronicled his battle with cancer, that we got in touch again. I had to email him to tell him what an inspiration he is to so many people, and to share with him my own battle with cancer years ago. He replied right away and seemed happy to reconnect our old ties. I was desperate for him to get better. I won over my battle, but his, well... his battle was a very big one. It would've reduced a lesser man to pieces.

He was upbeat. He was fearless. He was lifting everybody else's spirits! If he wasn't at the hospital, he was at his store, or working... He was supposed to make an appearance at the biggest concert of the decade tomorrow. And now he is gone. And we all feel the loss...

Francis, I am sending a prayer to God for you. A thank you prayer. And we will all pray for Pia and the kids. They must be oh so big now. I remember when Elmo was just the cutest toddler, tagging along in our own-of-town shoot... They must be all proud to be your kids.

We will miss you. You have left a gaping hole in our industry, and in our lives. Long live your memory!