Farewell Francis

A great Filipino was laid to rest yesterday. I didn't get to write about his death and it's impact on me earlier because I was catching up with work. So I'm taking my time now to write down my thoughts.

I learned about his death last Friday while I was at work. I was in a meeting when my bf sent me a message saying Francis M. has died. Of course I couldn't reply to him that instant but the minute the meeting was over, I messaged him back. He said it was announced at Eat Bulaga that Francis passed away at 12 noon that day. I found myself in a state of shock really because I had just visited his blog the day before. Yes, you could say that I was a bit of a fan. Growing up, I found it totally inspiring listening to his music. I don't have all his albums though; I just have a cassette tape of FrancisM and that's it. But I followed his career, from Eat Bulaga, to his photography, to his directing of music videos, to his t-shirt company, to his fight with cancer. I guess this is why I was saddened by his death, he shared so much of himself when he was alive, it's such a shame it will all now come to an end. He still had so much to give, so much love, joy and hope to share but sadly his time is up. So now, it's up to his children to continue his legacy, and up to the Filipino people to remember and never forget what his life and his music has been about. If all of us could just live out the same love of country that this great man has shown in his life then his death would not have been in vain and we would emerge a better people and a better nation.

Thank you Francis for teaching us how to be truly Filipinos!