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JI Profile - Francis Magalona

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Mr. Cool Went to Nature School

By Christine C. Rivero

IF show biz hadn’t snapped up Mr. Cool, National Geographic would have. You guys know who we’re talking about – Francis Michael Magalona, the rapper with a soft heart for nature.

“I was pretty much an explorer when I was a kid. I liked seeing insects with a magnifying glass. I liked climbing trees. I LOVED animals!” At the mere mention of furry, four-legged, or crawling creatures, Francis’ eyes light up. He goes on to list all the pets he’s ever had: a snake, a Philippine hawk, a bayawak, 30-plus dogs, a number of guinea pigs, and a praying mantis he named Orville. “I raised him from when he was a baby until he became big and I set him free,” he says proudly.

You might wonder then why Francis didn’t just decide to become a vet or a biologist. Well, he did think of that but when he got to college, the music and break-dancing bug bit him so he’s been doing groovy moves and spinning cool tunes ever since.

Oh, but you can bet the explorer in Francis won’t be sitting still forever. “Someday, I would like to release a book on Philippine animals and I’ll take the photos…I haven’t really learned to do photography yet but I know someday I’ll do that, chronicle our animals, and that will be my contribution to the world,” he says, smiling wistfully.

Until that time comes, Francis is happy to go on writing songs, playing video games, painting, playing basketball, skateboarding and collecting “anything Chicago!” That includes Michael Jordan cards and Dennis Rodman dolls.

Francis believes kids can get the most fun in life out of using their curiosity positively. “If you want to tinker with machines, go ahead. If you want to tinker with the piano, play with it. If you want to mold stuff from clay, become a sculptor someday.” Then the rapper in Francis happily exclaims, “Hey that rhymes!”

He’d also like to tell kids to “be the explorers and adventurers that you are.” That’s one cool lesson for you, kids, from Mr. Cool and the Nature School.

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Rapper Francis M was also known as Mr. Cool the year I interviewed him, hence this piece's slightly corny title ;p Francis was a lot of fun to talk to, though, and he candidly shared the crazy things he and his siblings used to do.

"We made sumpit each other's pw*t," he said. (We'd target each other's butts with our toy guns)

Of course, I couldn't use the quote in the article :laughing:

(c) Junior Inquirer, 22 August 1998
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Mykemanila's avatar
Ahh...rubbing elbows with the master rapper. I can rap to you know. (Lumpia that is..)