Elmo Magalona and me… isn’t he the spitting image of his Dad, the late master-rapper Francis Magalona
Here is why I missed out on the coronation of Miss Teen Earth 2014 and the announcement of John Spainhour as our new Mr. World Philippines 2014 – I was busy shooting an indie film, my biggest role to date in a Cinemalaya sponsored movie. It’s called #Y (Hashtag Y) and stars Elmo Magalona with me as his Mom. It’s directed by Gino M. Santos, a young and really cute director who I think deserves to be in front of the camera and not just behind it, LOL!
I won’t give too many details except that the movie is about suicide, the youth and social networks. Expect more details in my interview with Elmo which I will release in the week leading up to the release of #Y and the opening of Cinemalaya which is in August, I believe.
For now, let me just say that Elmo Magalona was raised well by his parents – the late Francis Magalona and the gorgeous Pia Magalona nee Arroyo. Elmo NEVER complained on the set, never cracked bastos jokes or swore (in front of me at least, aahaha) and was very respectful to me as his #Y Mom.
My best moment was this one scene where we were required to hug for a long time. His Dad was a childhood friend and when we both grew up, I looked up to Francis as a Pinoy music icon. So I stood there with his boy in my arms and goosebumps all over me. All I could think was that Francis must be smiling in heaven knowing that Elmo is working hard in his craft as an actor and gaining the respect of people in the industry.
This is one of our ‘family picures’ in the Cinemalaya film #Y by Gino M. Santos. Apollo Abraham (left) plays the Dad of Elmo Magalona (his character is called Miles) while I play Elmo’s Mom.
