Today Tabloid

It's heartening to note that despite the daunting battle he's waging, Francis Magalona has remained upbeat and optimistic, determined to beat the Big C with the help of The Great Healer.

Francis, 43 (born on Oct. 4, 1964), was diagnosed to have leukemia (cancer of the blood) and is confined at the ICU of Medical City in Pasig City. The symptoms, manifesting late, came in the form of persistent fever in the afternoon and dizzy spells, making Francis look alarmingly pale, and unexplained loss of weight. He has been at the ICU for more than two weeks now.

In yesterday's edition on the GMA noontime show Eat, Bulaga! from which Francis as co-host has been absent for weeks, Vic Sotto read Francis' official statement:

Sa lahat ng dabarkads ko dito sa EB, miss ko na kayong lahat. Araw-araw magkasama tayo at kayo'y naging second family ko na. Pati na rin lahat ng viewers sa mga bahay at sa studio.

Ngayon, meron akong isang pagsubok na dapat daanan at ang hiling ko lang ay ang inyong pang-unawa at suporta. I have been diagnosed with leukemia and I am preparing for my treatment. Sa tulong ng Panginoon, kakayanin ko ito.

Abangan ang aking pagbabalik. Di ko lang kayo miss, love ko kayong lahat.

As I was saying, besides your prayers, Francis needs blood, lots and lots of blood, and you are invited to donate some. Francis is Type O but any type is welcome to replenish the amount Francis is getting from the hospital's supply.

"Those willing to donate may do so at the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) office in Intramuros (just across from The STAR offices)," said Rosa Rosal, in-charge of the PNRC "blood" department, who this year is celebrating her 60th year with the PNRC. (Her daughter, Toni Rose Gayda, is Francis' Bulaga! co-host.) "We will take care of the blood that Francis needs."

Sen. Richard Gordon, PNRC chairman, has also assured Francis of continued support.

Francis is one of the nine children of popular '50s Sampaguita loveteam Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. He and his wife Pia Arroyo have eight children, one of them actress Maxene Magalona.