Francis M will live on thru his music -- Loren

Francis Magalona, through his life and music, has left his millions of fans and the entire Filipino nation a cultural legacy of love of country and social conscience, Senator Loren Legarda said yesterday in condoling with the family of the recognized king of rap music in the Philippines.

"In elevating rap as a vehicle to promote love of country and of fellow men in songs such as Mga Kababayan Ko and Nais Ko, Francis M as he is fondly called by his ardent followers had shown how artists can help effect change," said Loren.

"The meaningful lyrics of his songs were veritable social commentaries on poverty, the drug menace and social injustice, and what can be done to address them.  He will live on through his music."

Loren said that Magalona's brave albeit losing fight against cancer underscores the need for more research for the cure and the early detection of the disease in order to give those suffering a better chance of getting well.

Magalona, 44, succumbed to complications from leukemia.

Like Magalona, Loren's mother, Bessie, fought a gallant fight against breast cancer before succumbing to one of the most fatal diseases of women.