Francis almost loses battle with the Big C

Revealed: Sepsis almost derailed Francis Magalona’s battle with the Big C.

Until he guested in a phone patch in last Saturday’s edition of Startalk, we didn’t know that Francis almost lost his continuing, brave battle with leukemia which was diagnosed last August after he came back with the Eat, Bulaga! people from L.A. where the show was mounted.

His voice as cheerful as if he’s in the pink of health, Francis revealed that he almost bade the world goodbye first week of December when his blood pressure went alarmingly down to 35/20 due to sepsis (which is, according to Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, “a toxic condition resulting from the spread of bacteria or their toxic products from a focus of infection”).

“Sepsis is one of the deadliest diseases,” said Francis who recovered in time to celebrate Christmas Eve with all the members of the Magalona family (brothers and sisters, together with his and wife Pia Arroyo’s children). “It was my happiest Christmas.”

Francis has been undergoing chemotherapy and has just completed his third session.

“I am now in remission,” he added.

But early next year, Francis said that he will undergo a bone-marrow transplant.

Funfare is again asking the readers to pray for Francis’ recovery. As the saying goes, More things are wrought by prayers than this world dreams of. Yes, indeed, prayers can move mountains.

Jose Rizal showing in New York Dec. 30

Ten years after it was made and hailed as one of the most significant Filipino films of all time, Jose Rizal, the 1998 Marilou Diaz-Abaya epic with Cesar Montano in the title role, continues to be celebrated in various Filipino communities worldwide, particularly during the celebrations of Dr. Rizal’s birth (June 19, 1861) and martyrdom (Dec. 30, 1896).

Tomorrow (Dec. 30), the Filipino community in the New York area (NY, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia) will screen the multi-awarded biopic at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, in commemoration of the 112th death anniversary of the Philippine national hero by execution at Bagumbayan (formerly Luneta, now Rizal Park).

This report came from Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter).

Said Edmund, “Co-sponsored by the Knights of Rizal-New York (KOR-NY) Chapter and the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the 7 p.m. film showing will be preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony led by KOR-NY at the statue of Dr. Rizal at the Philippine Center lobby. Messages will be given by Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Hilario Davide, a former KOR supreme commander; and Consul General Cecilia Rebong.”

Jose Rizal has won over 70 local and international film awards for Abaya, Montano and its powerhouse cast that includes Joel Torre, Gina Alajar, Jaime Fabregas, Gardo Verzosa, Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Mickey Ferriols, Pen Medina, Irma Adlawan, Ronnie Lazaro, Peque Gallaga, Subas Herrero, Tony Mabesa, Marco Sison, Tanya Gomez, Bon Vibar, Fritz Ynfante, Jong Hilario and Chiqui Xerxes-Burgos, with Gloria Diaz as Teodora Alonzo and Monique Wilson as Maria Clara.

“Now more than ever, Jose Rizal is the kind of movie that must be shown to the young generation to instill pride in their heritage and genuine love for their mother country,” Edmund quoted Sir Prospero Lim, NY chapter commander of KOR, as saying.

Another KOR-NY member, Sir Joe Ramos, said the movie shows how strong and resilient the Filipino race is in the face of trials and tribulations. “It really is inspiring for Filipinos of all ages,” Ramos said.

Jose Rizal was a GMA Films entry to the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival. Made with a reported record-breaking P80-million budget, it packed theaters and swept awards ceremonies. At the 1998 MMFF, it won all major awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cesar Montano), Best Director (Marilou Diaz-Abaya), Best Supporting Actor (Jaime Fabregas), Best Supporting Actress (Gloria Diaz), Best Screenplay (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim), Best Story, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, among others.

Edmund asked, “Now, 10 years later, can Baler, Viva Films/Bida Foundation’s official entry at this year’s MMFF, duplicate Jose Rizal’s success? I heard that Baler (or The Siege of Baler) is another historical masterpiece with Mark Meily at the helm. It also has a powerhouse cast including Jericho Rosales, Anne Curtis, Phillip Salvador, Joel Torre, Michael de Mesa, Ryan Eigenmann, Rio Locsin, Carlo Aquino, Mark Bautista, Bernard Palanca, Jao Mapa, Nikki Bacolod, Leo Martinez, Allen Dizon, DJ Durano, Andrew Schimmer, Alvin Anson, Mikel Campos, PJ Valero, Arvee Quizon, and Baron Geisler.”

For the information of Edmund, Baler has been getting rave reviews. The story and screenplay were written by Roy Iglesias. The theme song, Ngayon, Bukas at Kailanman, was composed by Louie Ocampo with lyrics by Edith Gallardo, and performed by Sarah Geronimo.

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