I learned that “Master Rapper” Francis Magalona aka Francis M died at about 12 noon today at the Intensive Care Unit of Medical City. He has been battling it out with leukemia for months on end and all seemed okay the last time I saw him on TV. His face radiated with hope and none of the physical pain is evident whenever he talked about how happy and grateful he is of the support he’s been getting from family and friends in the midst of the crisis brought about by such an unforgiving disease. I have great respect and adulation for the Master Rapper of the Philippines and the songs he has written are but wonderful reflections of his sense of nationalism lost in many of today’s youth.
He will be forever remembered for songs like “Mga Kababayan Ko“, “Kaleidoscope World” and many others. One of my favorites is his own rendition of “Cold Summer Nights”. He is a great loss to the music and movie industry now populated with over-hyped celebrities devoid of talent. Even during the height of his career, his persona stood among a sea of wannabees and pretenders. There will never be a Francis M ever again.
I condole with his family — whose loss can never be measured and whose grief cannot be appeased. May you rest in peace dear Francis. I’m sure you are in a better place, rapping your way into the gates of God’s kingdom where there can be no more pain or suffering. Peace out, bro! Know that you will be sorely missed.
One response to “R.I.P. Francis M — You will be sorely missed…”
seomanhattan
It is such a great loss to Philippine’s Music Industry since Francis M has opened the doors of stardom for many music rappers. Indeed he will definitely be missed.
I’m RJ Marmol — writer, musician, and independent creator based in Manila.
I write songs, essays, and books about the messy overlap between money, overwhelm, creativity, identity, and rebuilding. Much of my work circles around what happens when life stops feeling manageable — and how we try to think clearly, make decisions, and keep moving anyway.
On the music side, I release work as HeyRJ. On the writing side, this site is where I gather my books, essays, notes, and whatever I’m building next.
Music
HeyRJ is my sonic soul project. I create raw, minimalist-style and deeply personal music interpretations that feel like a late-night conversation with your truest self.
By blending lo-fi acoustic textures with poetic honesty, my work explores love, loss, grief, healing, and the quiet in-betweens of life. Each song is a letter — a journal entry — a gentle companion for when the world feels too loud or too quiet.
While my catalogue began with intimate cover renditions, my work is increasingly being shaped by original writing, drawing from years of poems, lived questions, and emotional survival.
“Stuck Home Syndrome”released on March 20, 2026 is my first original 20-track album written during a period when time felt compressed and days began to blur into each other. The songs came from sitting with thoughts that had nowhere else to go — unfiltered, repetitive, and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a concept album that isn’t built around singles or polish. It’s closer to a continuous inner monologue, recorded with minimal production and very little ornamentation and meant to be listened to as one cohesive body of work. The goal wasn’t to resolve anything, only to document how it felt while it was happening.
On May 29, 2026 I released new original singles – “Rapturous”, “Uh Huh”, “Look At You”, “All That” and “Blew Print”. I continue to release both original and cover songs and intend to so for as long as I can so check back every once in a while — you might. just find something you’ll like.
For business inquiries relating to music, email me at: heyrjmusic[at]gmail[dot]com or my personal email at: rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com.
A nonfiction book about what debt does to the mind — and how to begin functioning again when financial stress has made everything feel blurred, urgent, and overwhelming.
Rather than treating debt only as a financial math problem, the book explores the emotional and cognitive realities of financial distress: shame, decision fatigue, avoidance, panic, relationship strain, and the difficulty of making sound decisions while mentally depleted.
Published under Steady Hand Press. It’s available worldwide in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. Bookstores and libraries can also be order it wholesale via Ingram.
Contact
For book-related inquiries, media requests, bookstore questions, or discussion-group invitations, you can reach me through the contact page on this site or send me an email to rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com or hello[at]steadyhandpress.com
RJMarmol.com 
One response to “R.I.P. Francis M — You will be sorely missed…”
It is such a great loss to Philippine’s Music Industry since Francis M has opened the doors of stardom for many music rappers. Indeed he will definitely be missed.
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