What Elmo and Julie have learned from each other–so far

IF HE had his way, Elmo Magalona wants to record the unreleased songs of his dad, the late Pinoy rap icon FrancisM, with the tunes he himself wrote, for his debut CD.

“Pop still has a number of tunes at home,” Elmo, 16, tells Inquirer Entertainment. “Some are just lyrics, with no melody yet. I plan to eventually work on them, but my focus right now is to add more songs to those I’ve already made.”

He says he plans to release the album this year but has not decided which label to work with: “I’m really preparing for it. I don’t want to record an album just for the sake of having one. It has to be something special, something that Pop, if he could hear it, would be proud of. It will also be a tribute to my family, my best and worst critic in everything.”

To mark his dad’s second death anniversary, the entire Magalona family spent the day at Francis’ grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. “All of my parents’ relatives were there,” recalls Elmo.

It has been almost a year since Elmo decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and join show biz. Among the shows he is on, Elmo says it’s on the Sunday noontime variety program “Party Pilipinas” that he gets to really express himself. He is paired with the equally talented Julie Anne San Jose.

Their onscreen partnership, dubbed “Julielmo,” has a considerably large following. This prompted the show’s production team to create a musical segment called “Wazak: A Love Story.”

“I feel flattered that people like our love team,” says 16-year-old Julie Ann. “We just hope it lasts for a long while.”

Elmo adds: “This tandem has yet to reach its full potential. I hope to make more projects with her.”

What have you learned from each other in the months you’ve worked together?

JULIE ANN: I learned the importance of pakikisama. I’ve realized that we are a team, we need to work as one unit.

ELMO: I got to know Julie Anne a lot. I learned that she’s a very disciplined singer. She takes care of herself well. She’s very dedicated to her work.

Do you have disagreements, too, especially with the kind of songs you sing?

J: Elmo is into rap music. I sing songs of any genre-ballad, rap, or R&B. I can adjust to his preference.

E: We like almost the same kind of music. If ever that happens, we will just try to adjust. Usually, we are given a particular song and we work on it together.

What can viewers expect from you this year?

J: I want to try acting. My handlers are negotiating for me to join a coming sitcom. I also want to be in a drama series again. The last I did was “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.” I did an episode for “Maynila” with Elmo. We really enjoyed making it.

How true is the rumor that Elmo is already your boyfriend?

J: This may sound showbiz-y, but we’re really just friends. I’m not yet open to having an intimate relationship with anyone. I don’t think I’m mature enough to handle a heartbreak just yet. I just want to focus on my studies and career.

Are both of you in school?

E: I finished high school last year at the Montessori Integrated School in Antipolo, Rizal. I’ve had a year of rest. I’m not totally decided yet on what to take up in college-either Film at La Salle or Computer Science at Ateneo.

J: I’m taking up Communication Arts at the Angelicum College in Quezon City. This school year, I only took up 15 units so there won’t be conflict with my TV work schedule.

Your parents don’t mind this?

J: They don’t. I managed to successfully juggle school and show biz when I was in high school so they’re not worried anymore. In the beginning, my dad wanted me to quit singing. He changed his mind when he saw that I passed all my subjects. I even graduated with honors.

“Party Pilipinas” celebrates its first anniversary today with simultaneous performances nationwide.