Elijah Canlas: Everywhere, All at Once

 
A multimedia force

Across film, TV, theater, and music, Elijah’s slate for 2025 alone reads like the résumé of three separate artists. His recent and upcoming films include the award-winning “Sunshine,” which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival; “Salvageland” opposite Richard Gomez; “Raging,” a Cinemalaya entry shot in the middle of a typhoon in Sibuyan; and “Edjop,” a long-gestating historical biopic with Jodi Sta. Maria, which has been in the works for nearly three years and is still filming. He’s also starring in GMA Pictures’ horror anthology “Gabi ng Lagim” and the sci-fi flavored “The Remotes.”

The short film circuit is no less demanding. Elijah headlines “Is this Desire” and “Water Sports,” the latter already earning a coveted slot at the New York Film Festival.

On television, he showcases range from drama to light entertainment. He’s a “vibe jock” in “VIBE” on TV5, injecting his natural charisma into hosting, while “Hello, Heaven” adds another small-screen role to his list. And for millions online, he has become a familiar face in music videos: Cup of Joe’s “Multo,” which became a No. 1 hit, and The Juans’ “Ano Ba Talaga Tayo,” both alongside his partner Miles Ocampo.

And then there’s the music. Under the name “elijah,” he has already released tracks like “kilala kita,” “asar talo,” and “loved song” (the latter written for Miles). More songs remain in the vault—personal, grief-tinged tracks he admits he’s not yet ready to release publicly.

The discipline behind the hustle

Gratitude aside, what powers Elijah is discipline. His process of choosing projects is less about chasing clout than it is about crafting a legacy.

“I always consult with my family and my management. Feeling ko alam na nila ang gusto ko, vision ko for what I want to do and what legacy I want to leave behind. I enjoy telling stories that are important to me—whether personal or social. And of course, the directors I want to work with. That’s my process.”

That discipline is hard-earned. “Edjop” has stretched over years of filming, while “Raging” tested his ability to turn quiet, ordinary slices of life into cinema. Onstage, with “Dagitab,” he learned the value of listening in the moment, instead of over-preparing—a humbling reminder that even for someone so prolific, there’s always room to grow.

The human behind the hustle

For all his projects, Elijah is the first to admit that he is still navigating his own vulnerabilities. “I still am grieving,” he said, referring to the loss of his younger brother JM. His unreleased music carries much of that weight. “Most of these songs I wrote two years ago. That was a different me. Iba na rin ang gusto kong gawin ngayon. But I still write music about that. At the right time, magkakaroon rin ng lakas to share my stories.”

His prayers remain simple and human: world peace, good health for his loved ones, more opportunities to do the work he loves, and, most tenderly, the wish to be able to talk with his brother in his dream. 

Relatable stardom

If Elijah’s momentum feels relentless, that’s because it is. But far from being a tale of overnight stardom, his path reflects the grind familiar to many young Filipinos: long hours, multiple commitments, and balancing dreams with duty. The difference is that Elijah does it in public and with a clear sense of purpose.

For the hardworking, aspirational youth, Elijah represents both possibility and relatability. He’s the multimedia star who still prays for his family, the award-winning actor who still struggles with over-preparing, and the charting musician who still hesitates to bare his deepest grief in a song.

And that’s what makes Elijah not just a multimedia force but an authentic voice of his generation—everywhere all at once, yet grounded where it truly matters.

 

 

Gratitude aside, what powers Elijah is discipline. His process of choosing projects is less about chasing clout than it is about crafting a legacy.

 

 

 

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