TEEN star went back to school and met new friends. INQSnap this page to view the video.
“I didn’t waste a single moment,” said Kapuso teen star Elmo Magalona about his recent four-month break from show biz, protesting observations that he lost precious ground by taking time off.
Magalona, son of the late rapper Francis M, went back to school to take up Culinary Arts at the De la Salle University-College of Saint Benilde. (Rumored girlfriend Lauren Young enrolled in the same course.)
“It was my choice; I have no regrets,” he pointed out. “I met new friends and got to reflect on what I really wanted. I know myself better now. I’m prepared for all these coming projects.”
One such project is his biggest TV assignment so far, “Villa Quintana,” a remake of the 1990s soap. He portrays half of a star-crossed pair, with Janine Gutierrez.
A helpful push
He acknowledged that bad reviews had pushed him to take a second look at his career. He elaborated: “I realized I had a hard time because I forgot about myself. I didn’t enjoy what I was doing [so] I wasn’t one hundred percent committed.”
To prepare for “Villa Quintana,” he enrolled in acting workshops under acclaimed director Maryo J. de los Reyes.
“I became more comfortable in acting and, I think, in life as a whole,” he said. “I can’t wait to show what I can do.”
Where he used to be passive, he pointed out, “I’ve learned to fight for what I believe is right.”
Magalona dispelled rumors that he rejected three regular drama shows—“Dormitoryo,” “Pyra” and “Kahit Nasaan Ka Man.”
“That rumor was just the result of miscommunication,” he said. “I even screen-tested for ‘Dormitoryo.’”
Independence
He now considers part of maturation the declaration of independence from his love team with Julie Anne San Jose. “I know this will help both of us improve as artists,” he said. A love team could make one complacent, he added.
He wasn’t even worried about Julie-Elmo fans getting upset and maybe bashing their respective new partners. “We cannot avoid that,” Elmo said. “But I’d rather focus on my job, not the intrigues, which never really helped anyone.”
More open
He seems to have become more open about Lauren. He and his mom Pia (Lauren’s manager) accompanied the Kapuso beauty to Bali, Indonesia, to witness the crowning of her sister Megan Young as this year’s Miss World.
Elmo was glad to be there; it was a proud moment for Filipinos, he said. “Half of the hall was filled with Filipinos. When Megan was declared winner, they all stood up and cheered.”