Francis M's alleged lover apologizes to first family, but asserts singer was already separated from wife
After dropping a bombshell that she was allegedly Francis Magalona's lover, Abegail Rait apologized to his first family for the revelation but asserted that the late rapper had already left his wife Pia Arroyo when they got together.
In a statement published on her YouTube account, Abegail delved into the reason why she suddenly unveiled the secret she had been keeping for 15 years. Previously, she said she was the local artist's lover and that they have a 15-year-old daughter together named Gaile Francesca.
According to Abegail, she initially paid no attention to all the hate that was directed at her once her relationship with Francis became public knowledge until it eventually involved her daughter.
"Okay lang sa'kin na ako na ang pinakamasamang tao sa paningin niyo. Homewrecker, kabit, mistress—lahat na ng adjective na nagamit niyo, tanggap ko. Pero ang pinakiki-usap ko lang sana, wag naman 'yung anak ko," Abegail pleaded.
She emphasized that it's unfair for the media to create clickbait stories and captions that only serve to fuel the crowd's anger toward them.
"Aminado po ako, tao lang ako. Nagkakamali, nasasaktan, pero imbis na iiyak ko, pinapakita ko sa anak ko na kaya ko siyang ipagtanggol. Sana po maintindihan niyo ako bilang ina na nagsasalita para sa kanyang anak," Abegail said.
"Ordinaryong bata lang si Cheska na napakaraming pangarap, mag-isa lang po akong sumusuporta sa kanya with my mom, at walang magulang ang hindi kayang gawin ang lahat para anak niya," she added.
Abegail was firm in saying that she didn't violate any Philippine law as Francis' civil status was "single" when they sparked their romance.
"Dalaga po ako nung naging kami ni Kiko, wala na po sila sa family residence nila for years. And wala po akong naviolate na batas sa Pilipinas dahil single po ang marital status ng partner ko hanggang sa kinamatay niya," she explained.
"Pinaliwanag sa'kin ni Kiko from the start what we are facing," she continued. "Pinag-paalam niya yan sa mommy ko, sa pamilya ko, sa lola ko."
Abegail claimed that when Francis was battling leukemia, a sickness that eventually took his life, she was already pregnant with their daughter.
"Araw-araw, ako ang kausap niya. Gusto ko pong pumunta pero ayoko na pong dagdagan 'yung pangyayari. Ayoko nang dagdagan 'yung pinagdadaanan nila. Masakit, pero tulad nila, lahat kami umaasa na kakayanin niya at gagaling siya, pero di na niya kinaya," she said.
During the rapper's memorial, the embattled mother asserted that her presence was there and that the first family already knew who she was.
Not for popularity
The former flight attendant also set the record straight regarding allegations that she is simply using Francis' name for her to win the recent barangay elections and for her daughter's popularity.
"Hindi po totoo 'yun. Si Cheska, bata pa lang, alam na niya ang pangarap niya. 'Yun ay maging artista regardless of who her father was," Abegail, who ran for kagawad in Imus, Cavite, defended.
According to her, when Francesca reached the age of 14, her daughter was already determined that she was going to enter the showbiz industry.
Abegail went on to reveal that they were actually on their way to taking their very first step into the world of entertainment.
"Last year, nakakontrata na kami under management ng talent agency ni direk Mon Roco. From then on, nag-uundergo na si Cheska ng appearance sa mga live gig para ma-train ang stage presence niya," she detailed.
Commuting to the training sessions eventually put a toll on their finances. When the agency couldn't provide them with any transportation budget, they decided to sell Francis’ jersey to support Francesca's career.
The auction was made through Pinoy Pawnstars, where Abegail first revealed her and Francis' "untold love story."
"[I have] no remorse, and what should I be ashamed of? What I said there is the story behind that jersey and those are facts," Abegail said.
She then apologized to Francis' wife Pia and their eight children—including Maxene, Frank, Saab, and Elmo—for the chaos her revelation has caused.
"Hindi ko po pinagmamalaki ang naging pagkakasala ko, pero tao lang po ako, hindi ako perpekto," she said. "Kung mali man ang paglantad naming mag-ina, I'm sorry."
Abegail concluded her lengthy message by highlighting that she is merely asking the public to respect her family and not seeking anyone's approval.
"Wag po sanang husgahan ang isang tao batay sa narinig at nabasa ninyo. Alamin niyo muna ang buong kwento bago niyo siraan ang kanyang pagkatao," she ended.
Francis' first family has yet to directly address the issue, though Frank, his eldest son, was seen liking a viral tweet that criticized Abegail amid the revelation.
Maxene, meanwhile, reposted a quote on “transmuting sacred rage into acts of kindness."
Francis is regarded as one of the prominent figures in the Pinoy hip-hop scene to this day. His hit songs include Kaleidoscope World, Mga Kababayan, and Meron Akong Ano. He passed away in 2009 due to his sickness.