BY WENDELL VIGILIA

MALACAÑANG should consider declaring the late Francis Magalona a national artist for pioneering Filipino rap music and espousing nationalism in his works, his contemporaries at the House said yesterday.

Malacañang said President Arroyo will award a presidential merit medal to the late singer in recognition of his contributions to music.

Cecille Alvarez, presidential adviser on culture, said the award would be given to Magalona for his "makabayan" contributions.

Magalona succumbed to multiple organ failure due to acute myelogenous leukemia at the Medical City in Pasig last Friday. He was 44.

He was diagnosed of his ailment last August. He had undergone several chemotherapy sessions and had been set to undergo a bone marrow procedure.

Magalona’s remains lie in state at the Christ the King Parish in Green Meadows. Tomorrow morning, his remains will be cremated at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

Rep. Ma. Laarni Cayetano (NP, Taguig-Pateros), 27, wife of opposition Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, said the "master rapper" deserves the title of national artist for being "a talented, unique artist and an outstanding Filipino."

"His music is not only nationalistic and patriotic, it was also a way of connecting with today’s youth by transferring his message of Filipino values," she said.

Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño sponsored Resolution No. 1045 "expressing the profound condolences of the House of Representatives on the demise of Mr. Francis Durango Magalona, known as the ‘King’ of Filipino rap music to millions of Filipinos."

"His rap songs took up social commentary along nationalist and patriotic themes that inspired many activists and ordinary folk," the resolution said.

Cayetano said Magalona "showed the world that his art and music can transform and motivate people to better themselves."

"We have so much respect for Francis M.’s music," she said, recalling that Magalona’s ‘Ito ang Gusto Ko!’ song inspired her husband’s political campaign jingle when he ran for senator in 2007.

Buhay party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng, the youngest male member of the House at 28, said, "Francis M. used rap music to awaken nationalism in our generation but without being preachy or fanatic."

Tieng said the artist’s contributions to the local showbiz industry, including television hosting, are "equally commendable."

"Truly, Francis M. not only brought the rebirth of Filipino nationalism among the youth but also enriched the local movie and television industry. Added to this, he was also the epitome of a good husband and father to his children," he said.

An Waray Rep. Florencio "Bem" Noel, 42, also a member of the opposition, said Magalona deserves to be considered a national artist for being a poet who promoted love of country."

Magalona was an award-winning multi-media artist, an actor, rapper, director, producer, photographer. He started his career in the ’80s as a breakdancer.

Some of his biggest hits are the songs "Mga Kababayan," "Kaleidoscope World," and "Three Stars and a Sun" which all became the inspirations for the Francis M. Clothing Co. (FMCC).

He had 15 albums and the last, "The Sickos Project" which was a collaboration with former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, will be released posthumously.

He was the son of the late actors Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, expressed appreciation to the appeal of the Magalona family for condolers to donate blood instead of sending flowers.

Gordon called Magalona "a great man" who he said contributed a lot to the Philippine music industry."