Prayers Needed!

For my friends, Pia and Francis Magalona.

Francis was diagnosed with Leukemia and it came out in the news tonight. I'm calling on everyone, especially my friends and contacts to please help us pray for Francis' recovery and strength for his family in this trying time.

To those of you who would like to donate blood, please proceed to the Blood Bank, Lower Ground Floor, The Medical City, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City (you can call the hospital at 635-6789 or 631-86-26 for any questions on blood donation). Inform the hospital that you are donating for the Francis Magalona account.

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) received information earlier today, August 13, that rapper-songwriter Francis Magalona has been diagnosed with leukemia and is currently in need of blood donors.

Pupil band manager and Francis's good friend Day Cabuhat told PEP in a phone interview that any blood type and platelets will be accepted.

"Donations may be made at the lower ground level of The Medical City in the name of Francis Magalona," relayed Day.

The Medical City is located along Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

Friends and relatives organized a blood donation drive to help the popular singer's cause. They're also asking friends from the media to spread the word regarding Francis's condition to encourage people to turn up and donate blood.

MASTER RAPPER. The son of local matinee idol Pancho Magalona and actress Tita Duran, Francis created his own mark in the entertainment industry as a rapper-performer when he released his debut album, Yo! back in 1990. The said record spawned the massive nationalistic rap hit song "Mga Kababayan," which in effect introduced Pinoy style rap music in the mainstream.

The ‘90s band explosion failed to deter Francis's popularity and significance in the music scene as proven by the number of hit albums and good singles he churned out since Yo! He even collaborated with other artists and most of the time experimented with various sounds and genres so as not to remain stale before the listening public.

Some of his memorable songs include "Mga Praning," "Meron Akong Ano," "Man From Manila," "Cold Summer Nights," "Bahay Yugyugan," "Ito ang Gusto Ko," "Girl Be Mine," and "Kaleidoscope World."

Aside from singing and writing songs, Francis also plunged into hosting. He served first as a VJ for both MTV Philippines and Channel V before joining the country's longest running noontime show Eat Bulaga! as one of the regulars.

Francis was also tapped as one of the judges, along with music maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Pilita Corrales, of Philippine Idol's maiden season in 2006 aired on ABC-5.

He also ventured into photography and music video directing, megging videos for artists such as Sponge Cola, Join the Club, Gloc 9, Shamrock, Join The Club, Pikaso, Death Threat, and Pupil.

Francis is married to Pia Arroyo and their union is blessed with eight children: Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara and young actress Maxene Magalona.