The Francis Magalona Foundation (FMF) Launched!

The Francis Magalona Foundation (FMF) was launched today by the Magalona Family and Friends to continue FrancisM’s legacy of Filipino pride, personal integrity and commitment to positive change at St Francis Shangri-La Place and was attended by Media, Celebrity (the family themselves) and fellow bloggers. It was indeed a very light event since everyone is smiling especially Ms Pia Magalona being so approachable.

The foundation is also in Partnership with One CORE, CORE is committed in providing the needed guidance and mentoring as we move through these transitions. There are three programs ONE CORE are offering such as

• Talks– BORN TO BE A HERO wherein this program aims to bring out Filipino pride, personal integrity and commitment to positive change. The talk takes every participant to a journey to discover their inner greatness and capacity to be a hero for themselves and for others no matter the deeds is small or big. 
• My Survival Guide– This program empowers participants to live rooted in their core. It helps them cultivate deeper self awareness and by equipping them with skills to: articulate personal values, acquire confidence and certitude in one’s strengths, identify areas for personal, relationship and career growth, map out an action plan and develop a systematic and attainable strategy for success.
• Emancipate – With this program, the foundation empowers the rights of every member of the LGBTs (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trangenders) to have a life of Filipino pride, personal integrity and a commitment to positive change. The main goal of this program is to deal with discrimination and hurtful relationships concerning the LGBTs, nurturing self-acceptance and self-confidence and strategizing for personal, relationship and career success.

Coach Pia Acevedo also gave us a book (BORN TO BE A HERO) and was lucky to have her sign my book personally. Now theres more reason for me to be inspired. I love self help books and Im thinking of volunteering to the FOUNDATION and meeting people from ONE CORE.

As we remember Francis Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009) in terms of his life and works, he has been consistently promoting nationalism and pride among Filipinos.  Through his music and other artistic endeavors, FrancisM always believed that Filipinos could make an impact not only in their country, but in the international scene as well.

He was credited for experimenting on the merging of rap with rock music – becoming a significant influence to artists in the same genre.

More than that, FrancisM was the pioneer of Makabayan (nationalistic) rap in Filipino hip-hop.  He was known as one of the most socio-political voices in the music scene. He used his songs as a platform to address various cultural and social problems of Philippine society – apathy, political instability, defeatist outlook.

He believed that in order for the Filipinos to rise from poverty and other issues that concern the nation, they had to believe in themselves and have a change in mindset that hindered this transformation.

“For his musical and artistic brilliance, his deep faith in the Filipino and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us,” Magalona was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit (posthumous) through the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.

In 2009, FrancisM passed on and there was an outpour of support and gratitude, validating his influence among the Filipinos.  It was his wish that even after his death, his legacy be carried out.

The Magalona Family – spouse Pia, sons Nic, Frank, Elmo and Arkin, daughters Unna, Maxene, Saab and Clara – together with FrancisM’s close friends have come together to continue FrancisM’s legacy. Together they have established the Francis Magalona Foundation in order to Find Meaning in the Filipino: a people with a true sense of Filipino pride, personal integrity and a commitment to positive change.

The Francis Magalona Foundation launching today coincides with the Master Rapper’s Birthday. There is also a Thanksgiving and Anniversary concert for the benefit of the Francis Magalona Foundation on October 8, 2011 10pm at Zirkoh Bar Tomas Morato! Im giving away ticket/s to the concert.

Just comment below if interested. By the way, the foundation is also lookinng for volunteers! visit www.francismagalonafoundation.com for more details!