Dannyka Manangan

Maxene Magalona shares importance of her first tattoo: ‘My dad is always with me’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapamilya actress Maxene Magalona marked National Tattoo Day earlier this week by sharing the story behind her first tattoo. In her Instagram post, she expressed how her first tattoo plays an important part in honoring her late father, Francis Magalona.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMNAyR_TNXG/?img_index=2"></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMNAyR_TNXG/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A187623.09999999963%2C%22ls%22%3A53732.199999999255%2C%22le%22%3A54234.09999999963%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="567" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Maxene is the oldest child of Francis with wife, Pia Magalona, with whom he shared five other kids–– Frank, Saab, Elmo, Arkin, and Clara.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/6/20/maxene-magalona-expresses-gratitude-for-partner-s-loving-heart-0845"><strong>READ: Maxene Magalona expresses gratitude for partner’s ‘loving heart’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“I just want to share my first tattoo which I got to commemorate the first death anniversary of my father Francis M.,” she wrote.</p><p>Inked on her wrist were the phrase ‘La fille à Papa’ which means ‘daddy’s girl’ in the French language. Maxene then shared why she chose it as her first tattoo which she also got done by her late father’s previous tattoo artist.</p><p>“I chose this language because one of my Dad’s nicknames was France and had it done by one of his first tattoo artists @mykesambajontattoo of @pandptattoo,” she expressed. </p><p>More than just a phrase, the tattoo was a reminder for the Kapamilya actress of her late father who passed away in 2009 after his battle with Acute myeloid leukemia. During those challenging times, Maxene admitted how depressed she was over the passing of Francis M. </p><p>“I got this tattoo during a time in my life when I was extremely depressed and wanted to leave this world after Papa passed away. That was why I made sure to put the tattoo on my wrist so that I can be reminded that my Dad is always with me no matter how sad I feel,” she shared.</p><p>She maintained that seeing the tattoo on her wrist gives her the strength and assurance that her late father is still with her spiritually.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/10/maxene-magalona-opens-up-previous-mental-health-struggle-i-was-so-disconnected-and-dissociated-1033"><strong>READ: Maxene Magalona opens up previous mental health struggle: ‘I was so disconnected and dissociated’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“This is a sacred reminder that even if he is no longer with us on this earth physically, I know for sure that he is always with me in spirit,” she said.</p><p>Maxene also shared the tattoos her parents have and the meaning behind them which holds importance in their family as well. For her, having a tattoo isn’t a sign of a person being evil but a form of expression of who they truly are.</p><p>“I don’t believe that getting tattoos makes you a bad person. I believe it is a brave way to express yourself. It makes you authentic and even more unique,” she ended. </p>

<p>The tattoo on Maxene Magalona's wrist is a reminder of her father, the late Francis Magalona.</p>

The tattoo on Maxene Magalona's wrist is a reminder of her father, the late Francis Magalona.