I remember when Rap, as a music genre, was not totally accepted in the Philippine Society. Rap music was associated with street gangs and violence. But everything has changed when Francis Magalona came in the picture. Not only has he brought Rap in the main stream, but was able to color Rap with a deep sense of Nationalism and Family Values. He used Rap as a medium to instill in the Filipino's mind the love and pride of country and of family.

This is what he had to say to the youth:

Respetuhin natin ang ina
Ilaw s'ya ng tahanan;
Bigyang galang ang ama
At ang payo n'ya ang susundan;
At sa magkakapatid,
Kelangan ay magmahalan -
Dapat lang na pag-usapan
Ang 'di nauunawaan.

I personally feel for Francis Magalona. He died of the same cause that took my mother away on December 1, 2008 -- Acute Myelogenous Luekemia (AML). My nanay underwent the same pain and battle that Francis M had fought. "Respetuhin natin ang ina; Ilaw s'ya ng tahanan". We lost an Icon. I've lost two.