Kapuso actor and Smart endorser Elmo Magalona celebrated his 20th birthday on Tuesday, April 29, at McDonald's Katipunan with the scholars of Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, and the people from the Francis Magalona Foundation.

With the help of One Core and GMA Artist Center, Elmo–who turned 20 last Sunday, April 27–opted to make his birthday meaningful by facilitating a “Born to be Hero” workshop to the teen scholars of Our Lady of Pentecost Parish.

“Instead of using time to celebrate for myself, I get to give back. I used to be insecure and shy, pero ngayon, nakakalas na ako from that,” he said.

The said activity helped Elmo conquer his insecurities when he was 15 years old that’s why he wanted to share the experience with the teens.

After the event, some members of the entertainment press and blogging community were able to interview the Kapuso actor. These interview excerpts include questions about his Villa Quintana co-star and rumored girlfriend Janine Gutierrez. Read on!

On Janine’s special gift for his birthday:

“Shoes and sweater. Limited edition running shoes na Nike tapos yung rare collection na sweater of Chance the Rapper. Di ko na namalayan pero baka naikwento ko sa kanya kasi hinahanap ko ‘yung sweater for the longest time, wala akong mahanap na gusto ko, and then eto nga. Kakaiba pa ‘yung color niya.”

On what his family thinks about Janine:

“She’s really nice. Lagi kong kinukwento na she’s easy to work with. Wala lang, kampante naman sila sa kanya.”

On the ‘getting to know stage’ with his Villa Quintana co-star:

“It’s ano naman, nag-eenjoy lang naman muna kami kasi hindi pa naman kami ganun, ayy, di pa naman kami sobrang magkakilala since less than a year pa lang kaming close so ayun, hanggang ngayon, nagkakakilala pa rin kami. What goes goes.”

On the things he like the most about Janine:

“‘Yung positivity, ‘yung outlook in life. As much as you know, I admire her, I also look up to her parang she’s a good example to a lot of people.

On the status of his ‘relationship’ with Janine. Is He courting her?:

“Yes. But right now focus muna kami sa show namin [Villa Quintana]…but we do share things together, we share our interests. Kapag may gusto akong bagay kinukwento ko sa kanya, kapag may narinig din siyang balita about something kinukwento rin niya sa akin so more or less that’s how our day goes. That’s what makes us bond more. Sa mga simpleng bagay nga like whenever I look at her nakakagaan sa loob, that alone influence me to become more positive.”

On his opinion if Janine will be paired with other actor:

“I don’t wanna be selfish, siyempre wala rin naman tayong right na sabihin na dito lang tayo and as much as possible I’m sure magugustuhan niya ‘yun pag nagkaroon siya ng work right after ‘nun kasi hanggang June na lang ang Villa if she gets a new project I will be happy for her, super happy.

On his future plans:

“Marami, siguro hindi pa rin naman ako super mature, marami pa akong dapat maranasan in life. I wanna be able to travel and I wanna be able to explore not just outside of the country but mostly here in the Philippines.”

On how he keeps his body fit:

“Ang tagal ko nang hindi nag-diet kasi ‘nung nagstart ang Villa nanghihinayang ako kasi nag-stop ako magwork-out, parang naging lax ako masyado sa diet ko but then now since summer na mas nagpursigi ako at mas naging aware ako sa mga food na kinakain ko and I try to run as much as possible. I also tried the juice cleanse diet for two weeks and I lost 10lbs. pero di ko na tinuloy. I don’t think that’s for me. Basta exercise talaga. Mahilig ako sa food e so now more on portion lang talaga.”

 

Here are more photos from the event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— GALLERY: ELMO MAGALONA’S 20TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION —