Janella Salvador (left) and Elmo Magalona
I’ve been there once last year. I just don’t know if she lives there all by herself,” said Elmo Magalona about his visit to Janella Salvador’s new house.
“What I know is that she has already bought that house,” added Elmo when asked to comment on the rumor that his 19-year-old onscreen partner has already left the house of her mom Jenine Desiderio and has since been living solo.
Elmo, the son of talent manager Pia Arroyo and the late rapper Francis Magalona, also visited Janella every day when she was down with the flu recently to remind her to take her medicine.
“That’s the reason I healed faster—Elmo’s TLC (tender, loving care),” the young actress said. “I’m thankful that he’s around. He brings me food, too.”
Asked to confirm whether he and Janella are officially a couple, 22-year-old Elmo said: “I am hopeful. I pray for that. Things will have to depend on Janella. I acknowledge that she is young and still has a lot to experience in life. I’m not rushing her. I’m just happy that I get to work with her.”
Elmo said he was glad that Janella got to attend “an important event in my family.” He was referring to the recent wedding of his eldest sister Maxene Magalona to model-musician Robbie Mananquil in Boracay.
“My family loved Janella right away, especially my mom,” he said.
“The wedding was beautiful,” said Janella. “I felt the love all around. I’m happy that his family invited me in the first place.”
On the alleged squabble between Janella and her mom, Elmo said: “If it’s something that’s happening within their family, I have to keep my distance.”
His mom gave him similar advice. “She tells me not to get involved. I understand that I’m not supposed to meddle, so I just tell Janella that I’m here for her if she needs someone to talk to.”
Jenine recently took to social media to express her disappointment over the failure of an unnamed (believed to be Janella) person to follow her “two simple, basic rules.” Jenine was also angry with someone (believed to be Elmo) who allegedly “gate-crashed” their family reunions.
As to whether he felt hurt knowing that Janella’s mom apparently doesn’t think he is good company, Elmo said: “I’m not hurt. I don’t dwell on the negative. I prefer to appreciate what the Lord has given me. I don’t ignore problems. I just feel that dwelling on them too much will only depress me.”
Janella, meanwhile, pleaded to the media not to ask questions about her mom. “I hope everyone will respect my privacy, even if what she (Jenine) did was not so private.”
“My Fairy Tail Love Story,” with Perci Intalan at the helm, will be shown in cinemas starting Feb. 14.