The award-winning psychological thriller About Us But Not About Us transitions from the screen to the stage, promising a deeper, more raw confrontation.
“There’s no need to hurt others in the process of achieving your dreams.”
That is the message Elijah Canlas would give Lance, the character he plays in the stage adaptation of the award-winning drama “About Us But Not About Us.”
He describes Lance as ambitious, damaged, and constantly operating in survival mode—traits that make him compelling, if deeply flawed.
From screen to stage: a more volatile chamber
Following the success of the film, Canlas and Romnick Sarmenta reprise their roles for the stage adaptation directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio. The straight play opens on February 14 and runs until March 8 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.
Elijah Canlas as ‘Lance’: the art of survival
For Canlas, understanding Lance meant resisting easy judgments. “Whenever I take on a character, I have to contextualize it. I don’t see things as black and white,” he told radar Entertainment. “I want him to be three-dimensional. Para siyang antagonist—scheming and manipulative—but you need to understand why.”
If he were to meet Lance face to face, Canlas’ advice would be firm but compassionate. “You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to step on other people’s toes,” he said. “Life is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.”
Romnick Sarmenta as ‘Eric’: Living in Truth
Sarmenta returns as Eric (Ericson), a gay literature professor who leads with his heart and struggles with unresolved questions about himself and the choices he’s made. “He’s a lost soul,” Sarmenta said. “He was making wrong decisions while trying to stand up for what he thought was right.”
The ambiguity in the script allowed Sarmenta to dig deeper. “There were too many questions about Eric that weren’t explicitly explained, and that gave me space to explore him more.”
Having grown up in the industry surrounded by gay men and educated in a Dominican-led school, Sarmenta said he never approached the role with prejudice. “I’ve never been traditional in my views. I challenge my thinking,” he said. “The best way to approach Eric is to understand who he is.”
If Sarmenta were to give Eric advice, it would be this: “Do not live your life as a literary piece, but in truth.”
In the film, Canlas portrayed two characters—Lance and Marcus, Eric’s former partner who died by suicide. For the stage version, he takes on Lance alone, allowing the role to evolve independently.
The film premiered at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2022 and later stirred conversation during the 2023 Manila Film Festival summer edition. While familiar to film viewers, both actors stress that the stage version offers a different experience.
“Film has editing and framing—you don’t have those luxuries onstage,” Sarmenta said. “Every performance is different. The emotions are raw.”
Canlas admitted he initially hesitated to return to the material. “It’s scary. It’s challenging. A lot of pressure,” he said. “But here, we had the chance to explore and tinker with the story.”
“I am not playing the same Eric,” Sarmenta stressed. “Direk Jun rewrote everything from scratch. It’s familiar, but very different.”
The addition of Marcus: Epy Quizon joins the fray
One of the most notable changes in the play is the inclusion of Marcus, now portrayed by Epy Quizon. According to Rutaquio, the restaurant setting becomes “a volatile emotional chamber” where Eric and Lance confront their truths about an absent presence whose memory continues to divide them.
Working under Rutaquio thrilled both leads. “When he’s at work, he’s very precise,” Sarmenta said.
For Canlas, the collaboration felt full-circle. “I’ve been watching Direk Tuxqs since I was in grade school,” he said. “Working with him now is an honor.”
Ticket and venue information
The two-act play, with intermission, marks The IdeaFirst Live!’s sophomore offering following last year’s “Anino sa Likod sa Buwan.” Tickets are now available via Ticket2Me.
The production is The IdeaFirst Live!’s sophomore offering, following the success of Anino sa Likod ng Buwan.
- Venue: Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati.
- Dates: February 14 – March 8, 2026.
- Tickets: Starting at ₱2,800, available via Ticket2Me.
- Reminder: This show is intended for mature audiences (18+) due to its heavy psychological themes.
Film has editing and framing—you don’t have those luxuries onstage. Every performance is different. The emotions are raw.
Romnick Sarmenta
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