The Philippine Star

What’s inside?

The song that describes Elmo Magalona

- By Ricardo F. Lo

Did you know that it took Elmo Magalona five years to fulfill his dream of coming up with his own album?

“I waited for the right time,” Elmo told Funfare. “I wanted to have enough experience so I could do an album that is really worth buying and listening to over and over again. The long wait is worth it.”

Released by Universal Records, Elmo’s eponymous album is available on CD and digital download. So far, it’s ranked No. 1 on iTunes Philippine­s Album

Chart and his music video Kay Dali is also No. 1 on MYX Daily Top 10 Countdown.

“My album reflects a lot of my musical influences,” added Elmo who is deadset on following in the footsteps of his late father, OPM icon and King of Rap Francis Magalona, “including Justin Bieber, and local artists that I have worked with like Jay-R, Billy Crawford, Kris Lawrence and Q-York.” Aside from Kay Dali, other selections on the album are Tayo Na, Alam Mo Ba (with Janella Salvador, his partner in the ABS-CBN soap Born For You), Huwag Kang Matakot, Ikaw Lang

(Ang Pag-Ibig Ko) and Born For You (solo), with bonus tracks Born For You and Ikaw (both with Janella), Stay and You’ll Be Safe Here.

“Yes,” shared Elmo, “I chose the songs but most of them were not really written by me but a lot of them is based on my experience, my personal experience, talking about life, love and friendship.”

Asked which of the songs comes close to describing his present state of mind and heart, Elmo said, “Huwag

Kang Matakot. Why? Because when I was recording that song I was talking to myself and I felt like the song was telling me, ‘Huwag kang matakot magmahal,

di ka mananalo kung hindi ka susugal.’ So it’s like being fearless and believing in yourself.” (A few days ago, Janine Gutierrez, Elmo’s girlfriend of two years, admitted in a TV interview that they had broken up and that no third party was involved.)

Any lessons that he learned from his dad?

“He taught me a lot from playing video games to responsibi­lities in life and his passion for arts,” said Elmo.

And how would he know if he’s really in love? (Note: This “body talk” was done before his break-up with Janine was revealed.) Replied Elmo, “If I can’t stop thinking of her and if I put her on top of everything else. Yeah, I think that’s what I call Love.” What kind of diet do you follow? “Seafood diet, except oysters.” What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

“Breakfast, sometimes pancakes or bacon and eggs with rice. Otherwise, I’m happy with just cereals. For lunch, I like having heavy meals like roast chicken or grilled chicken with rice again. For dinner, just soup and fish, or salad.” Snacks?

“Depends on my mood. Sometimes if I want to get fit, I eat really healthy bars, Granola Bars. But if I want to spend just a laid-back afternoon, I eat like Oishi Chips; I have a stock of Oishi Chips. I really love the spicy Oishi Chips.” Favorite food? “I love Japanese food, especially sushi, and Italian food, specifical­ly pizza.” Food that you avoid? “I avoid vegetables. I don’t like ampalaya, I don’t like okra and I don’t like oysters.” How much water do you take per day? “10 to 12 glasses.” Are you clean living? “Yes.” (Laughs) “Actually, I don’t know how to answer that. But, yeah, in terms of maybe eating 50/50, I’m not so clean with food. But, yes, I’m clean living.” What workout do you do? “I do a lot of weight-lifting and a lot of cardio. I like running every other day.” Any part of your body that needs improvemen­t? “Nothing, I think. I feel perfect enough with the kind of body that God gave me.” What part of your body is most vulnerable? “I think it’s my face because that’s the part that is over-exposed. Also, my ears.” Do you apply sunblock lotion on your face? “Yes, I do.” What part of your body is your favorite? “My hands because they do a lot of things. They are the most productive parts of my body so I give credit to my hands.” And what part of a girl’s body do you notice first? “The eyes.” What else in a girl turns you on? “Her voice and her laughter.” And what’s in a girl that turns you off? “When she tries hard not to be herself.” How much sleep do you get per night? “I used to lack sleep. But now, I try to get eight hours of sleep every night. I try to sleep early if I don’t have work. I get as much sleep as I can.” Do you sleep in the nude? (Laughs) “Sometimes. I usually sleep in boxers.” How many pillows do you sleep with? “Three pillows. One under my head, then one on each side of me.” Do you snore? “Hmmm, I think I do sometimes.” Do you talk in your sleep? “No. But I probably sing in my sleep. I think I’ve done that, hahaha!!!”

Do you sleepwalk? “No.” Last thing that you do before you go to sleep? “I go to the bathroom.”

And the first thing that you do as soon as you wake up? “Check my social feeds, what’s happening in the world. I check Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.” How’s your love life? (Laughs) “Next question, please! Hahahaha!!!” Do you have a nightlife? “Now? No!” Your outlook in life (pessimist, optimist or worrier)? “Optimist.” How do you cope with stress? “I talk to people who can help forget about stress.” Favorite city? “Antipolo, ‘coz I’m from there.” Favorite hideaway? “Antipolo, ‘coz it’s really far from Metro Manila.” Three women that you find sexy? “Solenn Heussaff, Kendall Jenner and Lovi Poe.”

Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire her? “Through eye contact.”

(E-mail reactions at entphilsta­r@ You may also send your questions to askrickylo@ gmail. com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www. philstar. com/ funfare or follow me on www.twitter/ therealric­kylo.)

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 ??  ?? How would he know if he’s really in love? (Note: This ‘body talk’ was done before his break-up with Janine Gutierrez was revealed.) ‘ If I can’t stop thinking of her and if I put her on top of everything else. Yeah, I think that’s what I call Love.’
How would he know if he’s really in love? (Note: This ‘body talk’ was done before his break-up with Janine Gutierrez was revealed.) ‘ If I can’t stop thinking of her and if I put her on top of everything else. Yeah, I think that’s what I call Love.’
 ?? — Photos by VER PAULINO ?? Above and below: Elmo during the 2015 Cosmo Bachelor Bash as one of the Top 10 Cosmo Centerfold­s
— Photos by VER PAULINO Above and below: Elmo during the 2015 Cosmo Bachelor Bash as one of the Top 10 Cosmo Centerfold­s
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