Like Elmo performing with late dad FrancisM

ALL IN THE FAMILY (from left): Maxene, Saab, Arkin, mother Pia, Clara, Elmo and Frank. INQSnap this page to view the remastered “Kaleidoscope World Forever” music video! RODEL ROTONI

Most stars who belong to show biz families try to play down blood ties to avoid comparison with more famous relatives.

Not Elmo Magalona. The 19-year-old singer-rapper does not shy away from projects that are sure to evoke memories of his father, the late rapper Francis Magalona.

Elmo’s latest musical endeavor—a revival of FrancisM’s hit song “Kaleidoscope World”—is meant to do exactly that.

The project, “Kaleidoscope World Forevermore,”  is a remastered music video of the 1995 song that has shots of the young rapper superimposed on the original “Kaleidoscope World” video shot 18 years ago.

Fans of the original will see FrancisM’s son side by side with the late rapper, as though the two were performing together.

Of course it was done digitally. But it’s the first time that Elmo is sharing the spotlight with FrancisM, who died of leukemia in 2009, a few years before his son shot to fame.

For Elmo, the project is a dream come true. He was only one year old when his father recorded the original song.

ELMO and dad Francis Magalona “reunited” in this remastered “Kaleidoscope World Forever” music video. videograb

Father’s Day gift

“This is our biggest Father’s Day gift for papa yet,” Elmo said during the unveiling of the video recently. “Since I started in the industry, I’ve been paying tribute to papa. I’m a family person. The  video is family-centered. Tumatak talaga siya (it left a mark).”

The 1995 music video similarly trained the spotlight on FrancisM’s parents, featuring clips of actors Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, making Elmo’s revival, “Kaleidoscope World Forevermore,” a natural follow-up.

According to Pia Magalona (FrancisM’s widow and mother to his six children who include Kapuso stars Maxene, Elmo, Frank, and Saab, plus Clara and Arkin), the project aims to bring together the fans of her husband and the much younger fans of her son. “They’re now [bonded],” she said at the launch.

Pia said they chose the song for the project because they would like to continue spreading its  “message of peace.” She related: “When Francis and I used to write songs, we challenged ourselves. Is there any song that doesn’t mention love? Any song that you write … always boils down to love. ‘Kaleidoscope World’ is about honoring [your roots], respect for other people and diversity.”

“It never gets old. Minahal ang song na ito. Hindi pa rin siya kinakalimutan (This song was loved and has not been forgotten). Many kids today know the song; they can still relate to it,” Elmo added.

He admitted that he still has a long way to go, to reach the level of his iconic dad’s fame.  But Elmo said he was determined to follow in his father’s footsteps in the music industry that the latter so loved.

FRANCISM’S kids splash color on a pledge wall during the video launch. RODEL ROTONI

So far, Elmo has not released an album. When he does, he hopes to be able to “replicate” his dad’s success.

As for his show biz career, Elmo said he was determined to avoid intrigues. He insisted that he had no quarrel with young Kapamilya star Daniel Padilla. (Elmo and former singing and acting partner Julie Anne San Jose reportedly made a video making fun of Padilla.)

“Ako naman, hindi ko na lang papansinin. Sana maintindihan ng iba na hindi ko na lang papansinin(I just ignore the rumors. I hope people understand),” Elmo said.

He would rather focus on his work, he stressed. “Sana wala na lang away (I just hope all the intrigues stop).”

Elmo is slated to appear in a new GMA 7 soap opera. He is also planning to release his debut album by the end of this year.