Elijah Canlas
Elijah Luiz Madiclum Canlas (born August 16, 2000) is a Filipino actor and commercial model. He began his professional acting career in the 2014 independent film Sundalong Kanin, an official entry to Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. He then rose to prominence for his award-winning performance in Kalel, 15 where he received Best Actor awards at 43rd Gawad Urian Awards, 68th FAMAS Awards, 17th Asian Film Festival in Rome, Italy, and 16th Harlem International Film Festival in Harlem, New York.
Elijah Canlas | |
---|---|
Born | Elijah Luiz Madiclum Canlas August 16, 2000 Manila, Philippines |
Education | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
Years active | 2014–present |
Agent | The IdeaFirst Company |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
Website | Elijah Canlas on Instagram |
Early life and education
Elijah Luiz Madiclum Canlas was born on August 16, 2000, in Manila, Philippines. He is the second son of Rommel Canlas and Lyn Canlas. Second of three siblings, he is fondly called "Jelo" by his older brother Jerom Andrei, and younger brother, Jamile Matthew "JM"†. The Canlas brothers are all actors who played various roles in film, theater and television. With their mother being a ballerina, and theater actress in Bacolod, they were exposed to arts, and theater at a very young age.
Canlas finished grade school at Statefields School, a private institute located in Bacoor, Cavite. In Junior High School, he studied Theater Arts at the Philippine High School for the Arts and finished Senior High School at MINT College. He is currently taking up his Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Arts at the University of the Philippines Manila while continuously pursuing his acting career.[1]
Career
When he was 14 years old, he debuted as one of the four main characters in the film Sundalong Kanin (2014), a Cinemalaya entry directed by Janice O'Hara.[2]
In 2014, he auditioned for the main role of Kalel, 15 when it was still titled Son of God, but got rejected because the role was supposed to be given to someone who resembles a mestizo son of a Spanish friar. Four years later in 2018, Canlas met with director Jun Robles Lana because he was looking for a talent manager. During the meeting, Lana suddenly said Canlas could play the lead in his next film as Kalel.[3]
A year after portraying his role in the movie Edward (2019), his acting prowess won him Best Supporting Actor (PinakaPASADOng Katuwang na Aktor) from the Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro (PASADO),[4] alongside other nominees such as Baron Geisler, Joross Gamboa and Ian Veneracion.[5] He also won Best Acting Ensemble together with the other cast members of the movie Kalel, 15 (2020) in the 2020 PARAGON Critics Choice Awards.
In May 2020, he was cast as one of the main actors in the YouTube series, Gameboys. Produced by The IdeaFirst Company,[6] it is a boys love (BL) series in the Philippines that tackles the story of two young men who find each other online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8][9]
Along with Kokoy de Santos as Gavreel Alarcon, Elijah starred in the thirteen-part web series as Cairo Lazaro, an up-and-coming online game streamer.[10]
On August 5, 2020, he bagged his first Best Actor award at the prestigious 17th Asian Film Festival[11] in Rome, Italy for Kalel, 15.[12][13] In December 22 of the same year, he was named by CNN as "Actor of the Year".[14]
In late 2020, Netflix released a re-cut version of the series, titled Gameboys Level-Up Edition.
Filmography
Television
Year | Program | Role | Network |
Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Paano ang Pasko? | Noel Aguinaldo | [15][16] | |
Almost Paradise | Luke | [17][18] | ||
2020–2021 | Paano ang Pangako? | Noel Aguinaldo | [19][20] | |
2021 | My Fantastic Pag-ibig | Dwayne | [21][22] | |
2022 | Suntok sa Buwan | Dos Laurete | [23] | |
2023 | The Iron Heart | Conrado Reyes | ||
Senior High | Archie Aguerro |
Web series
Year | Title | Role | Platform | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Past, Present, Perfect? | Marius | [24][25] | |
2020 | Pearl Next Door | Cairo Lazaro | [26][27] | |
Gameboys | Cairo Lazaro | [28][29] | ||
Unconditional | Arthur | Cignal Play | [30][31] | |
2021 | Gameboys 2 | Cairo Lazaro | KTX & Vivamax Plus | [32][33] |
2022 | Misis Piggy | Jeffrey | ||
Film
Year | Title | Role | Production company | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Sundalong Kanin | Badong | Cinemalaya entry | [34][35] |
2016 | Sakaling Hindi Makarating | Benjie | Unitel Productions Media East Productions | [36][37] |
2019 | Kalel, 15 | Kalel | The IdeaFirst Company | [38][39] |
Edward | Renz | Cinemalaya Entry | [40][41] | |
LSS (Last Song Syndrome) | Cedie | Globe Studios Dokimos Media | [42][43] | |
Babae at Baril | Jun | Epic Media Cignal Entertainment | [44][45] | |
2020 | He Who Is Without Sin | Martin Pangan | Solar Pictures | [46][47] |
2021 | Gameboys: The Movie | Cairo Lazaro | The IdeaFirst Company October Train Films | [48][49] |
2022 | Blue Room | Troy Rodriguez | Cinemalaya | [50] |
Livescream | Exo | Vivamax Plus | [51] | |
About Us But Not About Us | Lancelot | Octoberian Films The Ideafirst Company Quantum Films |
[52] | |
2023 | Keys to the Heart | Jayjay | Netflix | |
TBA | GomBurZa | Paciano Mercado | Jesuit Communications MediaQuest Ventures |
[53] |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | 17th Asian Film Festival | Best Actor | "Kalel, 15" | Won | [54] |
68th FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Won | [55] | ||
22nd Gawad Pasado Awards | Best Supporting Actor | "Edward" | Won | [56] | |
43rd Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actor | Kalel, 15 | Won | [44] | |
PARAGON Critics Choice Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | Won | |||
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino | Special Jury Prize for Performance in a Lead Role | He Who Is Without Sin | Won | [14] | |
Best Actor | Nominated | [14] | |||
38th Luna Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Edward | Nominated | [57] | |
2021 | 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards | Best Young Actor | Kalel, 15 | Won | [58] |
5th Film Ambassadors' Night | 11 New Film Ambassadors for Acting Performance | Won | [59] | ||
16th Harlem International Film Festival | Best Actor | Won | [60] | ||
4th EDDYS Awards | Best Actor | He Who Is Without Sin | Nominated | [61] | |
Young Critics Circle | Best Performance | Nominated | [62][63] | ||
Best Performance (Duo) alongside Enzo Pineda | Nominated | ||||
Ani ng Dangal Awards (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) | Recipient for Ani ng Dangal Awards | Himself | Won | [64] | |
36th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Actor | Kalel, 15 | Nominated | [65] | |
Best Supporting Actor | Babae at Baril | Nominated | |||
2023 | 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival Awards (MMFF) | Jury Prize | "About Us But Not About Us" | Won | [66] |
Best Actor | Nominated |
References
- Jaucian, Don (July 30, 2020). "'Gameboys' actor Elijah Canlas: 'We get to represent love that's not normalized in the media'". CNN Philippines. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Sundalong Kanin bears the O'Hara 'trademark'". The Philippine Star. July 31, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- Cruz, Marinel R. (December 17, 2019). "Why Elijah Canlas thinks 'Kalel, 15' role destined to be his". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Ang PinakaPASADOng katuwang na aktor na gagawaran ng GAWAD PASADO ay may angking talino sa pag-arte na tunay na nag-aral ng kanilang lesson o aralin sa paggalaw at pagbitiw ng mga salita upang pahangain nila ang mga guro at ito ang maging daan upang sila ay IPASA bilang PinakaPASADOng Katuwang na Aktor sa taong 2019-2020". Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro). Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Fernando, Jeff (March 12, 2020). "Kapamilya Stars, nominado sa Gawad Pasado 2020". push.abs-cbn.com (in Filipino). Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Welcome to The IdeaFirst Company -". theideafirstcompany.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "'GAMEBOYS' Pandemic's breakout hit". Manila Standard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- "Go, Gameboys!". The Manila Times. July 4, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- Interaksyon (June 22, 2020). "Filipino BL digital series 'Gameboys' gets international love". Interaksyon. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- "Last 3 episodes of 'Gameboys' delayed due to Metro Manila lockdown". Rappler. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- "Asian Film Festival". www.facebook.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- Noriega, Richa (August 7, 2020). "'Kalel, 15' star Elijah Canlas wins Best Actor at 17th Asian Film Festival". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "'Gameboys' star Elijah Canlas wins Best Actor at 17th Asian Film Festival". Rappler. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "'Actor of the Year: Elijah Canlas". CNN. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- "Elijah Canlas begins primetime career tonight". The Manila Times. November 23, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Biong, Ian (November 7, 2020). "WATCH: 'Gameboys' actor Elijah Canlas to star in TV5 Christmas teleserye". Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "'Almost Paradise': More PH actors in Cebu-set action-comedy series". INQUIRER.net. May 31, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Zaijian Jaranilla joins 'Almost Paradise' as guest actor". ABS-CBN News. May 6, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Biong, Ian (November 7, 2020). "WATCH: 'Gameboys' actor Elijah Canlas to star in TV5 Christmas teleserye". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- "Elijah Canlas begins primetime career tonight". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- "My Fantastic Pag-ibig: DUWENDE, INILIGTAS NG ISANG MORTAL?! | Full Episode 22". GMA Network. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Kokoy de Santos puring-puri ng mga katrabaho sa Pepito Manaloto: Unang Kuwento". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Love withstands fate's heartbreaking punches on TV5's first movieserye 'Suntok Sa Buwan'". Manila Bulletin. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- Galang, Jelou (August 17, 2019). "'Past, Present, Perfect? made me feel understood as a writer with big dreams". Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Loisa, Shaina power through heartache and broken dreams in iWant's "Past, Present, Perfect?"". abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN. June 4, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Spin-off series ng 'Gameboys' na 'Pearl Next Door,' magsisimula na ngayong October | GMA Entertainment". GMA Network. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Guno, Niña V. (October 22, 2020). "'Pearl Next Door': Girls' Love series lets queer women join the fun in BL wave". Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Chua, Zsarlene (July 21, 2020). "Pinoy web series on gay romance finds an audience during the pandemic". BusinessWorld. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Cruz, Marinel (June 25, 2020). "Filipino BL series 'Gameboys' reaches a million views after only 2 episodes". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Calderon, Ricky (June 21, 2020). "Boys' love genre blows up, reaches Phl with 'Gameboys'". The Freeman. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Cruz, Marinel (October 3, 2020). "Elijah Canlas wins 1st int'l best actor award". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "FAMOUS: Elijah Canlas gives teaser of 'Gameboys 2'". Manila Bulletin. January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "WATCH: Cai and Gav get really close in 'Gameboys' season 2 teaser". Rappler. January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Sundalong Kanin Best Film at Manhattan filmfest". Philstar. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Sundalong Kanin bears the O'Hara 'trademark'". Philstar. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Baccay, Mark (November 26, 2020). "WATCH: Elijah Canlas Shares His Lessons Learned on Film and Acting". My Pope Philippines. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "5 Reasons Why You Need to Watch Sakaling Hindi Makarating". Scout Magazine. February 1, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Guno, Niña V. (November 17, 2020). "'Kalel, 15' starring Elijah Canlas to stream this December". Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "'Kalel, 15' is coming to Netflix". Rappler. November 18, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Actor of the Year: Elijah Canlas". CNN Philippines. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "PH film 'Edward' tops 20 Best Asean Movies of 2020". Manila Bulletin. December 30, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Ben&Ben Is Starring in a New Movie This September". SPOT.PH. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "REVIEW: Gabbi Garcia-Khalil Ramos movie LSS hits all the right notes". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Janine Gutierrez and Elijah Canlas win best actress, actor in Gawad Urian 2020". entertainment.inquirer.net. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- "Janine Gutierrez, Elijah Canlas bag top honors at Gawad Urian". Manila Bulletin. November 10, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "WATCH: Enzo Pineda plays a shady TV reporter in 'He Who Is Without Sin'". Push. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Iglesias, Iza (August 7, 2021). "Unreleased films take Cinemalaya Premieres' virtual edition today". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Hawson, Fred (August 1, 2021). "KTX review: 'Gameboys The Movie' offers more than just BL kilig". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- Calderon, Ricky (August 1, 2021). "Gavreel and Cairo's love story continues in 'Gameboys: The Movie'". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Blue Room". Cinemalaya.
- "Elijah Canlas stars in first horror flick 'Livescream'". Manila Bulletin. November 10, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- Bautista, Mario (March 19, 2023). "Elijah plays one of his hardest roles - Journal News". Journal Online. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- GOMBURZA (October 5, 2023). "COMING SOON!". Facebook (in English and Filipino). Meta Platforms, Inc. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
LOOK: ALL-STAR CAST NG GOMBURZA
- "'Gameboys' star Elijah Canlas wins Best Actor at 17th Asian Film Festival". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- Balboa, Jen (December 21, 2020). "'Aswang' wins FAMAS 2020 best picture; Elijah Canlas, Janine Gutierrez, Kristofer King earn top acting awards". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "Kapamilya Stars, nominado sa Gawad Pasado 2020". Push (in Filipino). Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "Winners, Luna Awards 2020".
- "7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards 2020".
- "'FDCP Reveals Honorees, Special Awardees & Performers of 5th Film Ambassadors' Night".
- "Elijah Canlas wins best actor in Harlem International Film Festival".
- "SPEEd bares 4th Eddys nominees". The Manila Times.
- "'YCC nominations for 2020".
- "'Death of Nintendo,' 'Kintsugi' in historic tie for YCC best film of 2020". Young Critics Circle Film Desk. May 30, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- "Ani ng Dangal Awardees for the year 2021". Facebook.
- "PMPC releases official list of nominees for 36th Star Awards for Movies". Manila Bulletin.
- "Elijah Canlas wins Jury Prize at 1st Summer MMFF". Cornerstone Entertainment. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
External links
- Gameboys | Episode 1: Pass or Play? | [ENG SUB] on YouTube
- Elijah Canlas on Instagram
- Elijah Canlas at IMDb