Isn't today the saddest?

For Filipinos it is. But for the citizens of Heaven, today is a party.
An Angel has come home.

An Angel who can "rap"

He is a Filipino. A very proud one.
He loves the Philippines. (With all his heart and soul --his songs are "living" proof)
He loves the flag. (In fact he got "3 stars and a sun" tattooed on his back)
He is a song-writer...A prolific writer. (He's like a singing historian)
He is the Master Rapper (I don't think there is anyone out there yet who can better rap than him)
The Father of Philippine Hip-Hop Music
He is the "Mouth"
He is smart. Very witty.
He is cool.
He is funny.
He is child-like
He is naughty
He is good looking. Very young looking. (Anyone would have a hard time guessing his age)
He is well loved by the youth. Children imitate him. Teenagers idolize him.
He is well-respected and adored.
He is a role model. A perfect example of who a Filipino should be.
He is a good father and a loving husband.
He is one of a kind.

He is FRANCIS MAGALONA.
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For me, Francis M. was part of my fondest childhood memories. I grew up listening to his songs on the radio. Who is out there who does not know "Mga kababayan ko." I knew every word on that song. I find myself singing along with it whenever it's on the radio. I consider it as a song of our "Filipino pride." Unintentionally or intentionally I know all of his songs. And again, who hasn't? All are very popular. His songs are not those type who fades in and out. It stays. I would be a hypocrite if I would deny that I didn't know the words of "I am the man from Manila", "Girl be Mine", "Love for Life", "Friends", "Cold Summer Nights" (one of the few love songs I like) and "Kaleidoscope"

and speaking of "Kaleidoscope world." my friends knew how special that song is to me. It played a very big part in my "struggling first year of high school".

Did you have those times in high school wherein your Music teacher would give you his final requirement for passing the subject and that crucial final requirement has to be done in front of 300 people? And if you didn't...well you didn't have a choice. Either perform or flunk the subject. And that's not the only dead end. You could not dance. You could not play an instrument. You had to sing. You could dance and sing. You could play a piano or a guitar and sing. "Do anything, just don't forget to sing"--that's his requirement.

Everybody knows I don't sing. I sing...but it's a rare event. Very rare. Only during "for my ears only" occasions.

But I didn't have a choice. And It's such an embarrassment if I had passed Mathematics but not Music.

My classmates settled themselves on popular loves songs such "Will of the Wind" and "Dream about you"

Those who were gifted with "singing voice that could reach the peak of Mount Everest" picked the songs of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

I was left with....

a throbbing heart, wet palms and an aching head.

It was my best friend who suggested that I should just sing "Kaleidoscope World" which at that time was a radio hit.

I loved the song but...but I was not confident with myself. I didn't have the courage to sing inside a room with 30 students...let alone in front of 300 people inside an Auditorium.

But it was a dead end.

So with a borrowed guitar, a baseball cap, funky t-shirt, blue jeans and Nike running shoes (I had to look hip-hop), I sang "Kaleidoscope World" with my eyes closed half the time.

Now, why did it become a big part of my high school life?

I won 3rd place.

I didn't even know it's a contest. I thought it's just our oral examination for Music.
I should have known since the sophomores and juniors were there too.

Anyway, since then I had become the object of teasing in our class.

But I strongly believed that it's not because of my "singing voice" but it's because of the song itself. Of its message.

I would love to share it all to you:

G  Am
So many faces, so many races
Bm     C
Different voices, different choices
G      Am
Some are mad, while others laugh
Bm        C
Some live alone with no better half
G  Am
Others grieve while others curse
Bm     C
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
G       Am
Some are pure and some half-bred
Bm       C
Some are sober and some are wasted
G     Am
Some are rich because of fate and
Bm   C
Some are poor with no food on their plate
G   Am
Some stand out while others blend
Bm           C
Some are fat and stout while some are thin

G   Am
Some are friends and some are foes
Bm   C
Some have some while some have most

Chorus:

G           Am
Every color and every hue
Bm       C
Is represented by me and you
G       Am
Take a slide in the slope
Bm   C
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
G      Am
Spinnin round, make it twirl
Bm   C
In this kaleidoscope world

(Do Stanza Chords)
Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You cant talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Dont ask me how dont ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most
(repeat chorus)

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To Francis M.

I am so sad because you had to die so early in life. 44 is very young. I am kind of expecting you would reach 94.


I am sad also because the next generation would not be able to see you anymore. Well, of course they could still hear your music. I believe your music is the greatest memory you have left behind. It would be nice if they could still see you so they would have somebody to imitate and listen to as their role model.

I am sad because I am trying to find a counter attact to the saying: "Bad grass die last"
Why do good people have to go to heaven soon?

Well, I guess the answer is: You are an Angel and God lent you to human kind only for a time and you have to come home now.

Thank you so much.

God bless your family.

Photos from: francismagalona.multiply.com





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