How Elmo and Arkin Magalona keep Francis M’s music alive
Elmo and Arkin Magalona are continuing the legacy left by their father, the King of Pinoy Rap, Francis Magalona, in the music industry. Artistry runs deeply in their genes, not only as sons of the master rapper, but also as grandsons of screen legends Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.
How are the siblings living out their identity as the sons of Kiko? They have forged their own flourishing careers in the music scene, but it is expected that they will always be on the radar of the prying public.
Growing up under the massive shadow of their dad could somehow put pressure on them. Elmo shared, “I learned to accept it’s part of my life. You don’t really try to run away from your shadow ‘coz it’s part of you. At the same time, I don’t let it be my whole personality. I just accept it, and if there are people requesting to hear Papa’s songs, nandoon kami.
“We’re game to bring back the memories of the songs that he created. But I’ve also learned to set that aside and have something for my own so that I have my own identity as well.”
Arkin has his own approach to dealing with people’s expectations. “I treat it now as like it’s not pressure set by the people. It’s more of they are acknowledging na anak kami ni Sir Kiko, and it shows me the respect they have for our father. It makes me prouder that they get to know us as the sons of Kiko, and it makes me want to represent him more and make the newer generation discover him,” he said during their guesting on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”
Francis was not a stage dad, and he didn’t directly mentor his sons when it came to rapping, according to Elmo.
“We just really appreciate iyong music na ginagawa niya to the point that we would really listen to it during our spare time.” The siblings were interested, which led them to explore the artists and the era of music that their father listened to when he was still alive.
Elmo said they have different rapping styles from their dad. “I think we both have styles that are unique also compared to our dad. But I guess iyong foundation and technique, we still got it from his style.”
Arkin performed his single titled Tumatak on the show, while Elmo rapped his own track Bangon to showcase their respective styles.
The Magalona brothers come from a big, happy family. Elmo and Arkin admitted they are more afraid of their mom, Pia Arroyo, and lovingly described their dad as “one of the kids.” The family still has get-togethers. Those are the times when they miss Francis the most. Looking back, Elmo shared the story of their last Christmas with their dad, who passed away in March 2009.
“During 2008. Iyong Christmas ng year na iyon, he was undergoing chemotherapy pa rin. Honestly, I can’t remember if he was asked or nag-request siya sa doctor niya kung pwede ba siyang umuwi during that time to spend Christmas with his family.
“And he did. He actually was given the go-signal by the doctor na pwede siyang umuwi for that time. He really just wanted to spend that time, and I’m glad that he was able to because that was our last Christmas with him.”
Elmo, who started his career on GMA, set the record straight that he never had a relationship with former loveteam partner Julie Anne San Jose. They were called JuliElmo by their fans.
“We were very good friends who really wanted to help each other bring our careers up during that time,” he clarified.
They recently saw each other at an event and briefly greeted each other.
They didn’t pretend to be together for their fans, but their supporters thought they were in a romantic relationship.
“Parang ganoon iyong talagang nakikita nila during the time we were having loveteam performances together,” Elmo shared.
He welcomes the possibility of working with Julie Anne again in the future. “We could see something like that happen,” he added.
Elmo remains single until now.
Meanwhile, Arkin described the current state of his heart. “I’m in the state of my life that I’m lost but at the same time exploring. So, I have a lot of drive for anything,” he said.
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