Rap musician-TV host-actor Francis Magalona has been diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing more tests.

A son of the popular 1950s movie tandem Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, the 43-year-old father of eight children is appealing for sobriety as he prepares to fight the disease. “I don’t want a media circus. I want privacy with my family,” Francis said in a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer as he waited for his attending doctor. “What I’d rather talk about is how to we can solicit blood donations to replace the supply that I have consumed in the hospital.”

Francis’ wife, Pia Arroyo-Magalona, said her husband started exhibiting symptoms in March this year. “It was very gradual, hindi siya biglaang lumabas [it didn’t manifest right away]. We don’t want to use the word ‘curable,’ but the doctors say it’s treatable.”

Pressed for more details, Magalona said that he will issue a formal statement Thursday (Aug. 14) on the noontime variety TV show “Eat Bulaga” where he is a regular host.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Author: Pocholo Concepcion