“We’re used to it, ever since we were young,” said actor Elijah Canlas about being compared to his brother, Bar Boys’ Jerom Canlas, during an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN at Cornerstone’s 20th anniversary last October 29.
“Kasi one year lang age gap lang kami, we grew to be very competitive, not just with the arts but even with sports. Ngayon, siyempre tumanda na kami, may maturity na. There’s a healthy competition,” he explained.
Elijah clarified that there’s no bad blood between them. On the contrary, he has so much respect for Jerom and how he approaches his craft. “I love that guy. That’s my brother. Nawalan na kami ng isang kapatid e. He’s the only one I have now, and sobrang bilib ako sa kanya.”
Elijah makes it a point to show support for Jerom, and was present at the exclusive preview of Bar Boys The Musical held last October 23. Bar Boys The Musical is currently showing at the Hyundai Hall at Areté, and is on a limited run until November 23.
“My brother is part of the Bar Boys, part of the four main boys. He plays Torran, and I couldn’t be any prouder of him. I know how hard they all worked for this, and sobrang successful. I mean people loved it, people are here, and punong puno ‘yung Hyundai Hall,” Elijah said in his interview with PUSH ABS-CBN on the night of the preview.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas expresses pride for his brother JM and the impact he made on others
Elijah revealed that he would often consult Jerom about his projects, putting stock in what he has to say about it. “Lahat ng projects na ginagawa ko, lagi ko siyang tinatanong. I always ask for his input and his suggestions and his opinions, kasi matalino siya and he really has a creative mind.”
Elijah has been managed by Cornerstone for 3 years now, and he has nothing but gratitude for the company that has helped him achieve his goals. “I have so much respect for the whole company, for Sir Erickson, for Sir Jeff. I love my handlers. The past 3 years have been amazing for me, career-wise.”
“The way they understand everything that I want to do, even the weird stuff, is something I’m very grateful for,” he said, noting how the company’s views aligned with his own. “Si Sir Erickson mismo, he had so much respect for the projects that I’ve done, and he really made me feel that he believed in me. Hanggang ngayon, ramdam ko ‘yun from them, and I don’t regret [being with them].”
When he first signed on with Cornerstone, Elijah was mostly doing indie films and art films. At that time, he hoped to break into the mainstream. “Ang goal ko at that time was to penetrate the mainstream scene, maybe do a teleserye or something like that. And they did it. They made it possible for me, with Senior High and Batang Quiapo.”
He also appreciates how, even with his recent successes in mainstream projects, he is still supported in pursuing passion projects. “It’s in my DNA, and even now, they still support my passion — which is to do art films, experimental films, and indie films — and I love them for that.”
Another avenue that Elijah is passionate about is his music, and he credits his talent management for making it possible to achieve that dream as well. “I started my music career with them. Tinulungan nila ako to sign on with the label that I’m with. And now, I’m about to drop my album next month.”
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas grateful for star-studded cameos in music video ‘Joseph K’
In June 2024, Elijah relased his single “AsarTalo”. Last September, he released the music video of “Joseph K”, which was directed by Dan Villegas and featured his friends in the industry such as partner Miles Ocampo and Gameboys co-star Kokoy De Santos. Elijah is set to drop his 10-track debut album within the year.