Yeah, the Freeman just passed away this afternoon. We will sure miss him. I can still remember the days when the music of the man from manila came into my life.

“Mga kababayan ko, dapat lang malaman nyo, bilib ako sa kulay ko ako ay pilipino…”

It was a grade school field demonstration project of ours at school and we were tasked to perform his song “Mga kababayan ko” I can still remember buying a cassette tape of his album and listening to it so that i won’t forget the lyrics to the song. But what really got me was his song “Cold Summer nights” wow! some slow rapping with very meaningful lyrics….

“Every color and every hue… is represented by me and you… Take a slide in the slope… take a look in the kaleidoscope… paint it round, make a twirl… in this kaleidoscope world…..”

Fast forward to high school. When Freeman was released, i considered it as one of my prized record collection (next to the ultraelectromagticpop of Eraserheads and Rivermaya’s Trip) and i kept playing it over and over and over again…. reaching to the point of me buying a cd copy of it (took me around 1 month of my daily allowance just to save up money for the cd) and up until now, the cd is still here. And as i look at i, i can remember those howling riffs of “baw-waw-waw”, mellow and infectious lyrics of “Mahiwagang Kamote” to “Jologs” and “Pen and ink” But i think most of you will agree that “Kaleidoscope World” is that one song that will definitely make an impact to you and your life itself. Those catchy lyrics that itself is poetry, This song will make you sing it over and over again…

“Ang tindi ng sapot, Kahit saan umaabot”

Who would have known that the song “Sapot” from his album “Happy Battle” would be referred to the internet? It was a new technology back then and only a few people could afford it. Even i, can’t afford a line for it (though there were prepaid cards already back then, connecting to the web is a mess) But this album was not for me to miss. It sill has the Freeman feeling and more of an experimental album. Imagine listening to the beastie boys, and inject it with a little rage but not too loud. “Girl be mine” is a breathe of fresh air. Plus, this was Planet Garapata’s first and only appearance in an album and in the music scene. Also, “Unstrung Heroes” a duet with Eraserheads front man Ely Buendia was also available.

“Friends, how many of us have them? friends…. before we go any further”

“Oddventures of Mr. Cool” was a back to basics for Francis M. this album showcased the talent of him as a rapper, with beats that will surely blow your speakers. Also, the song “Alapaap” of  Eraserheads was given a mash-up mix that features francis rapping and it was titled, “Whole lotta lovin” Wow! a mash-up….

“Unify and do not divide, Fortify, Go forth and multiply, Sow the seeds of love and life… Luv 4 Lyf… Luv 4 Lyf…”

“Freeman 2″ was released and basically, this really is Freeman 2. More rocking and somewhat less hip hop beats, this is also one album that contained hits such as “Luv 4 Lyf”, “Pintados” and “Nais Ko” though it only spanned a few hits, i consider this one truly a follow-up to Freeman. And this is the last album that will feature francis playing with a full band.

After that, i grew up to listening alternative, but nevertheless, Francis Magalona’s style of lyric writing is one of my influences in doing my own compositions. After that album he cane up with an EP that features “Bading ang Dating” a parody of “Doo wop that thing” Then he cam on to helping the aspiring rap artists in the philippines and later on, had a collaboration int eh “Ultraelectromagneticjam” album that features him on the “Superproxy 2k6″ revival that features him on the main vocals and ely as the guest artist (as opposed to the original Superproxy in the cutterpillow album, where Francis was the guest vocals in it)

And then boom! the news of him having Leukemia was all over the news. But he, as he mentioned in his blog, is fighting the sickness really hard and hopes that one day, he will be back on stage as the master rapper, the mouth and of course, the freeman we all knew.

I was happy when he announced that he was doing a project with fellow and long time friend, Ely Buendia, an album that will in return, be donated to those artists who are sick. I also heard rumors that he will be back again in the studio with his “Hardware Syndrome” Band which means only one thing…. Probably a Freeman 3 album…. yeah…

Sadly, my hopes of seeing Freeman 3 is no more… The freeman is finally free from his pain ad suffering in this world and now leaves a free and happy life. I do hope that the Sickos Project would turn out even an ep… So that for one last time… we will hear the new and last materials that he had recorded….

He may be gone, but his music will live on…..

Rock on Francis Magalona…… May you rest in peace!

* Thanks Aids for sending me the link to the video