Josef Elizalde will play a school bully in Pepeng Agimat, the next chapter of Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Sr. which will be top-billed by grandson of Ramon Revilla, Jolo Revilla. ABS-CBN.com interviewed Josef during the story conference of the new show where he shared how happy he was about his new role. “Nung tinext ako ng handler ko about this project, natuwa ako kasi finally may magagawa na rin akong regular. Excited ako kasi ‘yung mga makakasama ko mas experienced na pagdating sa acting, sina Jolo, si Melissa (Ricks), at siyempre si Ms. Ai-Ai de las Alas. Sa taping for sure marami akong matutunan sa kanila.”

Josef’s last regular role was in the Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson romantic teleserye My Girl. While waiting for a major TV project, the 18-year old took up voice lessons in the hopes that he can try out a career in music someday. Josef also plays the guitar and composes songs, talents which he inherited from his father Butch Elizalde, the lead guitarist of the band Music & Magic. “I’m taking up voice lessons para naman kapag may mall show o guesting pwede akong kumanta nang live, hindi na lang lip synch lang sa minus one. I’d love to do an album kapag ready na ako, siyempre kasabay na rin ‘yung more acting projects. Idol ko nga si Jericho (Rosales) kasi while acting nakapag-release siya ng album.”

After gaining fame as a housemate in last year’s Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus, Josef chose to sign up with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic talent management instead of moving to Genesis Entertainment where his mother, Marinez Elizalde, works (she is the manager of Jericho Rosales). “I want to prove to the people that I can have a career without my mom using her connections. Kapag nag-Genesis ako baka mas magisip ‘yung mga tao na kung ano man ‘yung ma-achieve ko e dahil sa mom ko. Mas gusto ko na rin dito sa ABS-CBN kasi nandito na karamihan ng mga friends ko.” He added that joining PBB was his decision to try out a showbiz career without his mother doings things for him. “May mga nagsasabi dati na kaya ako nakapasok ng PBB kasi may back up ng mom ko. Ang totoo pumila ako kasi decision ko talaga na sumali sa PBB. Sa una trip lang ‘yun, hindi ko nga habol ‘yung pera. Gusto ko lang ma-experience ‘yung buhay na independent. Nung time nga namin madalas ako ‘yung nagluluto, feeling ko ako ‘yung daddy ng bahay.”

ABS-CBN.com also asked Josef about his relationship with PBB ka-love team Nicole Uysiuseng. The young man revealed that he decided not to continue courting Nicole because he doesn’t want to ruin the beautiful friendship they currently have. “Okay naman kami. Friends kami ngayon. After PBB napag-decide namin na mas mabuting friends na lang kami. Ang ganda na ng friendship namin, baka masira lang kapag naging kami. Kapag nag-break lang kami baka hindi na kami magpansinan ko mag-usap. Mabuti na ngayong close kami.” Josef added that he wants to remain single at the moment so he can devote his time to more showbiz opportunities.

Related Articles

• Josef Elizalde lands a role in the next chapter of the ‘Agimat’ series
• Josef Elizalde: Making it on his own
• PBB Teen Josef on the gay issue: 'I wouldn't kiss a guy!'