Article posted January 09, 2008
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Master Rapper Francis Magalona isn’t just a revered musician—he is also a passionate father. And though he may have started a family way earlier than the rest of the world, Francis M. proved one thing: smart parenting isn’t just about age. Text by Alula Love M. Dela Cruz. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.
Having become a parent in his teens, Francis Magalona knows that being a young parent has its sets of pros and cons. In a radio show on Barangay LSFM, Francis M. admitted that although he does maintain a close friendship with his kids because of their close age gap, he still wouldn’t recommend ‘adolescent parenting.’
“Up to now,” he says, “I’m still learning to be a father. It’s really hard, kasi parang eskwela [yan] na lagi kang nag-aadjust.”
Despite the setback, Francis and his wife Pia seemed to have done a good job. The happy couple have eight children, four of which are already in college. One is in high school and the two youngest are in grade school. What really made a buzz during this interview was his eldest daughter, Una, 24: “Actually mother na din siya and yes, lolo na ako pero napaka-gwapong lolo! One year old na yung apo kong si Zoe,” says Francis.
This new granddad isn’t jut proud of the latest addition to their family, but also of how their kids have turned out. Francis attributes this to their tight bond as friends. “I maintain a friendship and mutual respect for my children. Yun ang maganda eh, kasi dahil kaibigan ko sila wala silang tianatagong secreto,” he shares.
With this unconventional platform for parenting, Francis’ family has maintained close ties with each other: “Lagi kaming in touch, whether through cell phones or through the computer. Lagi [kaming] nagcha-chat.” He even tells a story about his recent photography-related trip to Vietnam: “Nung nasa Vietnam ako, galit na galit sila kasi sacred sa amin ang Sunday. Kumakain kami sa labas, nag-lalaro kami, [mag]kasama sa movie. Kailangan complete yun.”
But with friendship comes conflicts, and he admits that being friendly with your kids has its down side. “Being a young parent, [sometimes] the lines are blurred. Minsan lumalampas sila, minsan nakakalimutan nila na parent ka [at] akala nila kaibigan ka lang. So sometimes you have to draw the line,” explains Francis.
Still, for Francis, being a father is all about love: “The closest thing a god would be to man would be a parent to his children. Because that is what God has for us—unconditional love.”
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