Arkin Magalona, son of the late Francis Magalona, the “King of Pinoy Rap”, opened up about his strong stance against corruption and his desire to continue his father’s legacy of creating music that uplifts patriotism and social awareness.
In a recent interview with Ogie Diaz, Arkin shared that his experiences as a taxpayer and an artist have deepened his frustration toward corruption in the country, inspiring him to use music as his voice for truth and change.
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“Matagal na akong taxpayer since bata pa lang ako,” Arkin said, recalling his early days in show business. “So recently may accountant kami. Kinausap ko ‘magkano ba yung taxes ko?’ So ‘yun, nalaman ko kung magkano yung binabayad ko sa taxes. Tapos lahat ng news na lumabas about the ghost projects. Siyempre nakakulo talaga ng dugo pag nalaman mo yung binabayaran mong taxes napupunta lang sa wala, well napupunta sa bulsa ng iba.” His statement reflected a growing discontent with misuse of public funds, echoing the same critical eye his father once cast on society through his songs.
When asked if he would be making political songs anytime soon, Arkin assured that is it “very, very, possible.”
Arkin admitted that, for years, he hesitated to write political songs despite public expectations to follow in his father’s footsteps. “Maraming nagtatanong sa akin, ‘bakit hindi mo sundan yung papa mo na gumawa ka ng mga political songs?’” he recalled.
As he became more aware of current issues, that conviction began to shift: “At that time, few years ago, ang sinasagot ko ‘hindi ko paramdam eh’. Gusto ko manggaling talaga sa akin pag ginawa ko, hindi yung parang pilit lang. Hangga't sa hindi ko maramdaman na gumawa ng ganun na kanta, hindi ko talaga gagawin kasi hindi nanggaling sa akin yun eh.”
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“Nakakainis 'yung ginagawa nila. So, in a way parang nakakabuild ng fire sa akin na gumawa ng song,” he said, revealing that he is now looking into working tracks that may soon touch on social and political themes.
Netizens praised Arkin for his insights and awareness of social and political issues, many of which shared their messages on social media.
“Nakaka-admire mga ganitong bata -hindi feeling rich kid. kapag dumating sa point na wala-wala to..hindi na to mahihirapan kasi danas na nya ang hirap, exposed sa totoong buhay at alam nya na dumiskarte..keep it up.!! Nawa ay maging inspirasyon ka ng mga ka generation mo.. ❤❤❤” one wrote.
“I like his way of thinking and his humility. Talagang pinalaki sya ng tama ng mga magulang nya. I just know that your dad is so proud of you, of who you become,” another added.
Arkin goes by the name “Barq” in the music scene, a nickname his father used to call him during his childhood years.
Growing up as the son of a national icon, Arkin carries vivid memories of his father. “Actually, aware ako even nung bata ako [na sikat siya] kasi nakikita ko na siya sa TV eh,” he said. “Tapos when he passed away para talagang yung as perspective of an 8-year-old self ko, wow. Parang tumigil yung Pilipinas. Parang ang tahimik nung namatay yung papa ko. So doon ko na don ko na-realize talaga yung pagka-legendary status niya. Everyone talaga stopped when he passed away.”
READ: https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/9/23/maxene-magalona-revisits-francis-m-s-anti-corruption-song-amid-corruption-issues-in-government-1618
The impact of Francis M’s passing, he said, remains profound, not just within their family but across generations of Filipinos. “Ang dami pa ring tagahanga niya eh. Ang daming nakaka-miss talaga sa kanya. Ang daming naiwan na butas sa puso ng ibang Pinoy kung nasaan dapat si papa. And happy ako na kami yung nagiging extension niya. So super fulfilling na natutuwa sila na nakikita yung anak niya, yung mga obra niya,” he shared, grateful that performing his father’s songs allows fans to feel his father’s presence once more.
Arkin often joins his siblings in performing his father’s classics during tribute shows and concerts. He recalled one instance where he filled in for his brother Elmo, who lost his voice mid-tour. “Sabi ko, ‘Mom, okay lang ba? Tulungan ko si Elmo?’ Go’ 'Yun, natuwa 'yung mga tao. Pumunta ako, sabi ko, ‘Tulungan ko muna 'yung kapatid ko, guys, kasi wala na siyang boses.’ So 'yun, sobrang natuwa 'yung mga tao na ganon kalakas 'yung bond namin na magkakapatid na kung hindi kaya ng isa, marami pa kami diyan. Nagtutulungan lang kami.”
When asked about his favorite among his father’s political songs, Arkin pointed to “1-800-Ninety Six” a piece that boldly denounced corruption and misuse of power. Performing such songs, he added, helps him connect with younger audiences and remind them of their responsibility to the nation: “Marami pa kasing nasa generation ko na hindi pa naririnig 'yung mga ibang kanta ni Francis M. Para sa akin 'yung ibang kanta niya nakakatulong sa pagiging patriotic sa sarili mong bansa.”
“It's all for your motherland. Kasi hindi infinite ang time natin sa mundo. Kaya dapat inaalagaan natin ang bansa natin, mga resources natin, mga kapwa Pilipino,” he stated.
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Beyond his father’s artistry, Arkin also carries the values Francis and Pia Magalona instilled in their children. “To be kind to one another, to be respectful,” he said. “'Yun yung mga values na in-instill niya sa aming mga magkakapatid. Parang kahit sinong tanungin mo sa amin or kahit sinong kausapin mo sa amin, usually sabihin nila na parang wow sobrang humble nito, sobrang bait. Normal lang naman para sa amin kasi syempre yun yung tinuro sa amin ng parents namin eh.”
“Nakakatuwa rin pero at the same time sana maging norm din sa ibang tao to be kind, respectful to one another kasi in the end tayo lang din naman magtutulungan against a greater cause, which is corruption.”
Arkin also shared his mother’s constant reminder whenever he performs: “Kahit ilang tao man yung pumunta, kahit isa lang, 50 or 100, always give your best. Always. Kasi yan yung reputation mo eh.” That discipline, he said, keeps him grounded as he continues to find his own path in music.
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He acknowledged that comparisons to his father are inevitable, but he embraces them with quiet confidence. “Hindi ko maiiwasan yung comparison ng tatay ko sa sarili ko,” he said. “Pero lagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko, this is what papa would have wanted for me. Kasi ‘yun lang naman yung gusto nila ni mama. Gusto nila masaya yung anak nila. And as long as wala akong ginagawang masama, wala akong tinatapakan, wala akong bisyo. As long as I'm fulfilled and happy doing my own thing, they're also happy for me.”