When a friend, Marlyn Divinagracia, 32-year-old wife of detained Scout Ranger Capt. Ervin Divinagracia, was diagnosed to have leukemia last November, we told her not to lose hope and told her about rapper Francis Magalona.

"Look at Francis Magalona. He has leukemia and he has survived it," we told her. Francis had been battling leukemia since August 2008.

But Marlyn’s battle with leukemia was swift. A week after our talk, she died.

Francis also bade goodbye last Friday. But in his seven-month battle with leukemia, he showed how to turn the prospect of death into a celebration of life. In his blog (http://francismagalona.multiply.com), the Jan. 9, 2009 entry was about the visit of artist-magician Jeffrey Tam while he was in a recording session with "Ely B" at Tracks studio in Pasig.

He said, "I was delighted to see him and was also treated to a ‘live performance’ of his ‘mahikalye’. All of us at the Studio, me and my wife, Ely B., The FMCC boys Willy and Margo, plus the band members and engineers, we were all amazed at his skills and his tricks."

Francis M further said: "This is my advice to people who watch magicians/illusionists. Enjoy yourself, don’t be a bitch, just be a kid and believe what you see and experience. It is enjoyable."

Francis M, the rapper, has always been an artist with substance. His 1990 hit "Mga Kababayan" speaks about pride of being Filipino and insists that Filipinos can fulfill their dreams: "Dapat lang malaman nyo/ Bilib ako sa kulay ko/Ako ay Pilipino/ Kung may itim or may puti/Mayron naman kayumangi/Isipin mo na kaya mong/ Abutin ang yung minimithi."

Francis M’s December 30, 2008 blog entry was about Jose Rizal, who was executed at the Bagumbayan field (now Rizal Park) 112 years ago. He talked about "goodbyes".

He said: "Jose Rizal died for us December 30, 1896. Today is his day. In a lamp at his ‘selda’ he hid his last piece ‘Mi Ultimo Adios ‘which had these words, ‘Adios patria adorada..’ (Goodbye my beloved country).

Francis M mused, "If Rizal were alive today I would want to have some coffee with him. Talk to him, learn from him, and break bread with him. I look up to the man. I even made a song about him back in the late 90’s. It’s called ‘Idol ko si Rizal’."

He talked about dedicating one’s life for the country: "I guess if we just loved our country so much we would be willing to die for it. I would. But a dead me is a useless me. I am more useful alive. As long as I live, I will continue to espouse his dedication to uplift our country and our people.

"We are a people with heritage. Period. Before we were colonized by Spain we had a culture, we had governance, we had commerce, and we had our art.

"Long live Rizal and the other heroes like Bonifacio, Del Pilar, Mabini who fought for our independence.

"Long live The Filipino and Filipina."

Francis M’s last posting was dated Jan. 14, 2009 as he was preparing for his fourth chemo. It’s poignant as he showed his readiness for whatever God had willed for him. "I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To his will I submit myself."

When someone dies of cancer, we always say he lost the fight. I disagree.

The fight against cancer is about making life more meaningful. By providing inspiration to many, Francis M was a winner.