MANILA, Philippines - Master Rapper Francis Magalona, 44, passed away Friday. Vic Sotto confirmed the news over GMA's noontime show "Eat Bulaga" and asked for a minute of prayer for the eternal repose of the singer-composer's soul.

A doctor at the hospital who requested anonymity told reporters that Magalona succumbed to multiple organ failure "secondary to severe sepsis and secondary to pneumonia."

Magalona is survived by his wife Pia Maria Arroyo-Magalona and his eight children, including celebrity Maxine Magalona.

Magalona's battle with the illness was made public last year.

The 44-year-old singer-composer told the Philippine Entertainment Portal in December 2008 that he survived a delicate medical condition days before he was dispatched from a hospital.

"Akala ko kasi magki-Christmas ako sa ospital, e, [I thought I would spend Christmas in the hospital] because I had a very, very, very close brush with death last December 4. I went into septic shock and it was a very scary moment," he said in an earlier interview.

It was announced last year that Magalona was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant.

"My doctor said I'm in remission right now after my third chemo cycle. So, my next move would be to do the bone marrow transplant and I'm very happy to announce that I was able to find a match. One of my sisters from the States we have the same tissue typing so she would be my donor," he added.

Family, friends pour in

In a GMA "Flash Report" Friday, reporter Sandra Aguinaldo said among the first personalities to rush to the Medical City Hospital in Mandaluyong City to condole with the family of Magalona were long-time friends Michael V, singer Ogie Alcasid, and Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Comedian Michael V said Magalona died with his entire family around him.

After spending some time with Magalona’s family inside the hospital, Michael V went outside and told reporters how much the Philippines’ Master Rapper had influenced him in his rap music career.

While expressing grief over the news, Bautista said he would immediately busy himself with arranging for the wake of Magalona. The Magalona family said the Master Rapper’s remains would be brought to the Christ the King Chapel in Green Meadows, Quezon City.

Magalona – a father of eight – was bald but smiling in the last three photos in his last Web log (blog) entry.

The "Mga Kababayan Ko" singer was then very optimistic he would win his bout with cancer.

* I'm a fan of Francis M. myself. His compositions and music’s had a great impact to us Filipinos because it has a significant meaning about our country. And he was the first person who more likely introduced rap to the Philippines. It's sad that he died at a very young age, and I feel for his family. I know that if he would still be alive, he would compose good music. He's a loss to the music industry but I know that God has a different plan for him. And I respect that we don't know our lives, but we can only make the best out of it.*