Official Statement From GMA!
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Francis Magalona succumbs to cancer, he was 44
Master rapper Francis Magalona, 44, passed away Friday.
On in March 6, 2009, it was reported that Francis Magalona died at 12:00 noon that day, due to acute myelogenous leukemia.

Master Rapper succumbed to acute myelogenous leukemia at 12:00 noon that day, a few days after his fourth Chemotherapy and a few days before his supposed Stem Cell transplant.. The announcement was first made on the variety show Eat Bulaga, of which Magalona had been a host, after which a short tribute to the artist was aired. A minute of prayer was also observed in remembrance of Mr. Magalona in the noontime TV show Wowwowwee with host Willie Revillame leading the prayer.

Vic Sotto confirmed the news over GMA’s noontime show Eat Bulaga and asked for a minute of prayer for the eternal repose of the singer-composer’s soul.

Magalona’s battle with leukemia was made public last year. In a public statement last April 14, he admitted he was battling with the malady.

A blood drive was subsequently announced for the singer.

The 44-year-old singer-composer told the Philippine Entertainment Portal last December 2008 that he survived a delicate medical condition days before he was dispatched from a hospital.

“Akala ko kasi magki-Christmas ako sa ospital, e, [I thought I would spend Christmas in the hospital] because I had a very, very, very close brush with death last December 4. I went into septic shock and it was a very scary moment,” he said in an earlier interview.

It was announced last year that Magalona was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant.

“My doctor said I’m in remission right now after my third chemo cycle. So, my next move would be to do the bone marrow transplant and I’m very happy to announce that I was able to find a match. One of my sisters from the States we have the same tissue typing so she would be my donor,” he added. – Amita O. Legaspi and Mark Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV.