Elijah Canlas, 25, long regarded as one of Philippine cinema’s most versatile young actors, is expanding his career beyond film. At The Year of Elijah: Exhibit of a Multimedia Force, he discussed his growing music career, an upcoming album, and a slate of films set for release locally and internationally.
But for Elijah, film remains at the center of everything. Asked why he continues to pursue it at a time when the local industry is struggling, he answered without hesitation.
“Because films chased me. I love films. Films are among the things I love most in this world. They raised me, they shaped me to be who I am,” Elijah told Manila Standard Entertainment.
That deep attachment, he explained, began in childhood, when cinema became not just entertainment but a formative influence.
“The movies I watched when I was young, they stayed with me. So when I finally got the opportunity to make films myself, of course, I enjoyed it, and I loved it,” he continued.
Elijah has always spoken about his love for films and described it as something larger than career or recognition. To him, it is an art form that carries a history, one still in its infancy compared to others.
“It’s an art form that I never would want to die, you know? I feel like there’s so much more to explore with this art form. And it’s still so young—it’s just a little over a hundred years old here in the Philippines. Unlike painting or music that have been around for centuries, film is fairly young, and it feels unfair to just let cinema, especially Philippine cinema, fade away,” Elijah explained.
This conviction is what keeps him motivated even when the industry faces challenges. For Elijah, the responsibility lies in creating and participating in works that keep cinema alive. That’s why he takes pride in being part of Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine,” a project that, for him, embodies what Philippine cinema can still achieve.
“I’m proud to be part of ‘Sunshine.’ I’m proud to be part of films like that, ones that challenge audiences. And I’m really grateful to the audiences who have been open-minded, who supported our own, who stood by local cinema,” he continued.
He also found creative partners in filmmakers Whammy Alcazaren and Lino Cayetano, with whom he has worked on daring projects like Water Sports and the upcoming Salvageland. Both films push boundaries in their own ways, reflecting the kind of risks he wants to keep taking as an actor.
For him, being part of such projects is not just about acting but about being in spaces where Philippine cinema is redefined and reimagined.
Outside of acting, Elijah also admitted enjoying exploring music, though he revealed it is more of a personal outlet than a career priority. He has dabbled in writing and performing songs, viewing music as another way to express himself creatively. Unlike acting, which he studied through film and theater since childhood, songwriting came naturally.
“This music thing, it’s not something I really studied. I started writing and making music in 2021, just as a hobby. But then I got linked to UMG [Universal Music Group], and they liked my music. Now they’ve been handling my career and have been very supportive,” he shared.
His debut album, set for release this year, will feature 10 tracks. For him, hip-hop is a genre where he can reveal his most personal stories—whether about love, conflict, or growing up.
“Maybe because in acting, I wear masks all the time. I’m not playing myself. And it’s actually therapeutic for me because I get to learn more about human beings, about humanity. But when it comes to music, that’s where I release my personal stories—stories of who I was at 17, or my grudges against someone, or when I’m in love. That’s where I let everything out,” Elijah said.
For him, acting and music may seem like contrasting worlds, but they serve as complementary outlets—one that allows him to embody other lives, and another that gives him space to share his own.
“So it just happened that in my life, I found two mediums that I enjoy, both therapeutic for me in different ways,” he stated.
