Jerom Canlas praises brother Elijah’s ‘Edjop’ performance before launching explosive political rant

Jerom Canlas calls Elijah’s acting a masterclass before dropping an unfiltered, fiery message against corrupt politicians.

Jerom Canlas praises brother Elijah’s “masterclass” before unleashing fiery political rant.

Actor and interdisciplinary artist-activist Jerom Canlas didn’t hold back his pride—nor his politics—in a recent social media post celebrating his younger brother Elijah Canlas’ starring role in the historical film “Edjop.”

While the post started as a glowing tribute to the cast’s performances, it culminated in an explosive, expletive-laden condemnation of the Philippines’ political dynasties and corrupt officials.

Providing context for his intense reaction, Jerom, who admitted he is usually his brother’s “worst critic,” described Elijah’s portrayal of the student-activist-turned-revolutionary Edgar Jopson as a “masterclass in acting.”

He emphasized that the role perfectly reflects his brother’s principles, calling Elijah “isang tunay at palaban na Artista ng Bayan”  who is principled, honorable, and humane. Both siblings came from the Philippine High School for the Arts and the University of the Philippines, with Jerom finishing his undergraduate in Community Development.

However, it was the closing remarks of his review that delivered the heaviest punch. Channeling the fierce activism at the heart of the film, Jerom capped off his tribute with a blunt and fiery political statement, directing his anger at the country’s current and past leadership.

“Never forget—” he wrote, before delivering a sharp, unfiltered rebuke: “P*TANG*NA NG MGA MARCOS! P*TANG*NA NG MGA DUTERTE! P*TANG*NA NG MGA KURAP AT IMPERYALISTA!”

Sustaining the revolutionary fervor, the film “Edjop” follows the Ateneo alumnus and student council president who famously urged Marcos Sr. to step down—earning the dictator’s dismissive moniker “grocer’s son”—before the 1972 declaration of Martial Law drove his reformist stance into radical underground resistance with the Communist Party of the Philippines, culminating in his killing during a 1982 military raid in Davao.

Jerom’s impassioned post underscores the deep political resonance of “Edjop,” which is now open in cinemas nationwide.

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