Photo from wolmartrecords.blogspot.com

It’s been 10 years since we lost Francis Magalona, but his legacy and influence will forever live on. A true Filipino Patriot, Francis M, also known as “Kiko,” was a rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, entrepreneur, and proud father. Recognized as the Master Rapper, Kiko pioneered the Pinoy Rap scene through his lyrical prowess—often preaching about political awareness and empowering the youth with his inspirational bars. Spearheading the genre to mainstream status, he is also credited for his nationalistic approach to Filipino hip-hop.

“Don’t tell me that you understand / It’s been 4 hundred years of tears / For the brown man / Still and all the fight has just begun / 3 stars & a sun!” – 3 Stars & A Sun

10 years ago today, Francis M passed away after a long battle with with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. In a touching tribute, Pia Magalona, Kiko’s wife, remembered her late husband and their journey. On Wednesday morning, Pia posted a photo of Kiko with lyrics from 3 Stars & A Sun, thanking everyone who supported them during their “Happy Battle” writing, “Our family will forever be grateful to family, friends, co-artists, companies, and the Filipino people who supported us both financially and in spirit throughout the journey we called his Happy Battle, and even afterward.”

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‪Today is Ash Wednesday. We also commemorate the 10th death anniversary of FrancisM. ❤️ On 08/08/08, Francis Magalona was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). I remember distinctly that we were both lying in his hospital bed, watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics, when a doctor came by and asked to speak to me in the hallway. She carefully broke the news, and my only reaction was ok… so what’s the method of treatment, and how long is he going to be confined? I even had a smile on my face, because I was just glad to know they had found out why he was having daily fever and was lightheaded. The doctor then said the dreaded words: it’s cancer. Oh… That was pretty bad news. Next thing, we both went into the room to tell him about it. After that, I called my children one at a time, from eldest to youngest. The most difficult was telling the three youngest who still lived at home at the time, whom I told face to face. They were only 14, almost-9 and almost-8. I cried with them with each and every revelation, answering the same questions eight times over. Francis lived a total of 7 months more after that, and it was a whirlwind of confinements and discharges and treatments and test, after test, after test. Faith is really all we ever had, and still have for those he left behind. Our family will forever be grateful to family, friends, co-artists, companies and the Filipino people who supported us both financially and in spirit throughout the journey we called his Happy Battle, and even afterward. 🙏🏼 Through his recordings, his legacy lives on. Now, more than ever, say a prayer and listen to FrancisM. Peace. 🙏🏼❤️‬

A post shared by Pia Magalona (@piamagalona) on Mar 5, 2019 at 5:52pm PST

Pia ended her wonderful tribute saying, “Through his recordings, his legacy lives on. Now, more than ever, say a prayer and listen to FrancisM. Peace.” Peace, she said, sounding a lot like Kiko’s voice.