New homelove team for Elmo

MANILA, Philippines – Elmo Magalona is ready and excited to explore a new chapter of his showbiz life following his transfer to ABS-CBN, his new “home” network.

The 21-year-old rapper-actor has moved from GMA 7 to ABS-CBN after his contract with the former ended. It was last Thursday afternoon when Elmo inked a deal with ABS-CBN which officially made him a Kapamilya. Present at the contract-signing were Kapamilya executives Cory Vidanes and Carlo Katigbak, Dreamscape Entertainment’s Deo Endrinal, director Laurenti Dyogi and Elmo’s mom Pia who also acts as his manager.

Earlier that day, Elmo tweeted via @SuperElmo, “Today marks a new chapter in my life. Don’t fail me now. Thank you for the love, Kapamilya!”

At the presscon after the contract-signing, Elmo said there’s no truth to the rumor that he moved to ABS-CBN because he felt neglected by GMA. “No, that never crossed my mind. No bad vibes. Hindi ko naman po iniiwan yung five years na experience na ibinigay sa akin ng GMA because that’s what put me into my spot now. It molded me to what I have become.”

He emphasized that he has no ill feelings toward GMA where he started his career in 2010. “Malinis po talaga,” Elmo told The STAR when pressed to share further. “Actually, it was like a few years after the contract expired when I got an offer so everything was like surreal, it just happened.”

However, Elmo cannot exactly tell when his ties with the Kapuso ended but as far as he remembers, it was between mid-August and early September. “I’ve been with them for five years that’s why my transfer here is very surreal but then yun nga I just want to take (career) more seriously and enhance (the craft) more because I want to grow, to be a well-known artist.”

Although he is looking forward to a fruitful career in his new home network, Elmo admitted it was a tough decision. “It took a while. My mom and I really had a talk and I’m happy that we arrived at a common decision.” The opportunity to do something new played a major factor in accepting the offer “because it’s a new adventure; a new challenge.”

Did his girlfriend Janine Gutierrez support him in his decision?

“We had a light conversation and yeah, I’m happy that she’s supported this decision of mine,” he said. “The nice thing is we support each other even if we are both busy. I’m so happy because this is her breakout year, she’s had so many projects like she did magazines, movies, a TV show and now I’m getting the share of the blessings so nakakatuwa talaga.”

He also revealed that his mom never fails to remind him to work hard and treat every project like it is his last. By the way, Elmo will be part of Dreamscape Entertainment and Star Magic. “My mom needs all the help she can get as my manager so it will be a co-management between my mom and Star Magic.”

By early next year, Elmo is set to topbill a TV series titled Born For You under Dreamscape Enteratinment with Janella Salvador as his screen partner. It was only recently when Elmo personally met Janella.

“I believe mag-kakasundo kami because she’s also into music; she’s an old soul. Her family is also in the music industry. I think it’s cool that we both come from a family of musicians,” said Elmo whose dad is the late master rapper cum actor Francis Magalona. Janella, on the other hand, is the daughter of Jenine Desiderio and Juan Miguel Salvador.

Aside from acting, Elmo is also bent on pursuing his career in the music scene. In fact, he has already guested in the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP 20 and he hopes to become one its regulars soon.

“I’d like to work with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo in a movie or teleserye if given a chance,” he said.

Asked if there is pressure being a Kapamilya, Elmo replied without batting an eyelash, “There’s always pressure when you are excited and when something is worth it so I’m glad that I’m pressured because that gives me the motivation.”

With (from left) Dreamscape business unit head Deo Endrinal, ABS-CBN free TV head Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN COO Carlo Katigbak, mom/manager Pia Magalona and TV production head Laurenti Dyogi