Born in Piat, Cagayan in June 8 of 1992, Francia is the son of Linda Manglallan, a business woman and Virgilio Hidalgo Francia, a soldier of the Philippine Army with a rank of Master Sergeant. He is the grandson of Felisa Balinnang, a tobacco dealer in Cagayan and Rodrigo Manglallan, a half-Chinese businessman. He has two siblings, Racquel Francia (1987) a nursing graduate, and Althea Nicole Francia (2011).
He was baptized in the Basilica of Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan. He was raised in a remote area of Piat until they transferred to his father's home in Roxas, Isabela in 1995. In 1997, he attended San Rafael Day Care Center together with his cousin, Lerma Francia, wherein he graduated as Salutatorian. According to him, "...my childhood play was also a bit different. I was not allowed to touch any form of soil so I can’t play with our neighbors. I was not used to interact with others, that’s why I grew up as a man of few words..."
Biography
1998-2004: Elementary education
In 1998, Francia was enrolled in Bantug-Lintao Elementary School, a public school in Roxas, Isabela wherein he was admitted in the pilot section. He was able to enhance his talent in drawing when his teacher, Ms. Marietta Diza praised his apple drawing. In 1999, he was awarded Best in Writing by his second grade teacher, Ms. Camus. He was elected as Classroom Secretary in the same year, under the Liberal Party. It was year 2000, when he was elected again as a Secretary. His 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. Eva. During the graduation ceremony, he was chosen to sing one of the hits of a British boyband Westlife, My Love. In 2001, he joined the District Journalism Convention held in Munoz, Roxas, Isabela. He was the representative of the school for the Feature Writing Contest: English Category where he was a second prize awardee. In the same year, he was elected as one of the school Senators garnering the second highest votes. In 2002, he was the school representative in the Philippine Science High School Quiz Bee where he lost to second place. In 2003, he was elected as the President of the School Government, and a classroom Vice President. During his term, he imposed more strict rules regarding late comers. Francia is a consistent 2nd on the honor roll during his elementary days, but in his sixth grade, he graduated Valedictorian. He was awarded also Boys Scout of the Year attending yearly camps held in Camp Samal in Tumauini, Isabela and in Santa Ana, Cagayan. He also got full scholarships for Isabela State University and La Salette of Roxas. His leadership was also recognized by then President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
2004-2008: High School era
Building I - The oldest building of La Salette of Roxas, where Francia took his High School Education
Francia enrolled with full scholarship in La Salette of Roxas, a Marian Institution school located in Vira, Roxas, Isabela.It is the only Catholic school in the municipality and is one of the leading educational institution in Isabela. He was included in the pilot section, I-St. Mark where he met his bestfriends Verna Mae Ologenio, Lhea Venus Duque and Carl Allan Tarun. In 2005, he was once again in a pilot section II-St. Justine under the class of Ms. Sumajit. He joined various school contests like Slogan Making Contest, Poster Making Contest and various dance competitions. He was a cheer dancer for Team Blue Phoenix during the school Foundation Day wherein their team got the First Prize. He also joined Cheer Dancing Competition in the 2005's LASSAA, a competition of all La Salette Schools in Isabela. He also joined the "Leadership Training" facilitated by the Batch 2006. In the same year, he met his first girlfriend with a code name C.A.Q, by which the relationship lasted for 12 months. In 2006, he was under the class of Mr. Ramos, III-St. Thomas Aquinas. He met his other best friends, April Jayme Ignacio, Xander Maurice Valdez, Alona Castillo and Benedict Munoz. The friendship becomes bigger than before. Among the highlights of his third year high school life were the Stargazing, and the Foundation Day.
In 2007, he was under the class of IV-St. Francis of Assisi. He took the UPCAT Examination but failed to pass, however he passes the entrance exams for Engineering in Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas. In the same year, he was one of the Top 10 in the Mock-NCAE (National Career Assessment Examination) held in the school. Francia, with his classmates also won in the Sabayang Pagbigkas for 4 consecutive years. In February of 2008, he joined the Retreat held at the La Salette Shrine in Silang, Cavite. Francia graduated in 2008, ranking 7th in terms of Academics and 13th over-all.
Francia took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Our Lady of Fatima University in Lagro, Quezon City. He was one of the passers for the Scholarship Exam with 100% Discount in Tuition Fee. On his first year in the university, he was dubbed as Mr. Chemistry by his classmates due to his consistent high scores in the subject reaching as high as 143 of 150 during major exmainations. He met a lot of people during his stay in the university, including his second girlfriend "XD" from Centro Escolar University. In 2009, he is one of the dancers in the Field Demonstration held at Rizal Stadium in Manila as part of OLFU's Foundation Day celebration. In the same year, he was given the Nursing Pin in the "Capping and Pinning Ceremony" which certifies students capability for hospital duties. Francia stayed in a dormitory near the school under Ms. Matammu, but transferred to an apartment with her sister Racquel in 2009. In the same year, he began to take up duties in various hospitals like Roquero General Hospital and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Bulacan Maternity and Child Clinic in Calumpit, Bulacan, Payatas Health Center in Quezon City, Novaliches District Hospital in Novaliches, Ospital ng Sampaloc in Manila and a lot more. In 2010, he had his clinical experience in Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame. In 2011, he had clinical exposure in Mariveles Mental Hospital in Mariveles, Bataan and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Hospital in V.Luna, Quezon City.
On September 1, 2012 Francia took the Comprehensive Examination for Nursing students. The examination will determine who among the graduating students will be allowed to graduate. On September 14, 2012 he was one of the 155 passers of the said examination. On October 15 and 16, he took the Qualifying Examination, a pre-board exam of the university wherein only those passers will be allowed to take the December Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam. On October 19, 2012 he was one of the 124 passers.
Francia credits Beyoncé Knowles as his major musical idol. He refer Knowles as the "greatest female entertainer in history". He first saw Knowles in 2001 in a fan made video of Brown Eyes, a hit of a musical trio Destiny's Child wherein Knowles was a member. He was also influenced by her sister, a fan of DC. Francia also cites Jesse McCartney as another idol saying "he has good songs that really suits my taste". He is also a fan of many boybands like Backstreet Boys, Westlife and A1. He also cites K-Pop idols as his influences like U-KISS and 2NE1. Francia says 2NE1 is "one of the best girl group in the world". His other musical influences includes Greyson Chance and One Direction. He also cited Sam Concepcion, the only Filipino singer on his list of favorites.
Francia also cites Green and Yellow as his favorite colors, BUM and Freego as his favorite clothing lines and Internet browsing, watching movies and listening to music as his hobbies. He also credits Superman and Spiderman as his favorites superheroes.
0330 (GA 1)
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