The Philippines' rising star Elijah Canlas bagged the best actor award at the recently concluded 19th Gawad Tanglaw Awards. The 21-year-old actor won the awards for his mindboggling performance in Jason Paul Laxamana's 2020 film, He Who Is Without Sin.
In the movie, Elijah plays the role of a broadcasting student who discovers the shady truth about the TV reporter he idolizes, which Enzo Pineda plays.
Despite being a solely new face in the industry, this is not Elijah's first Best Actor Award. In 2020 he won his first award at the Asian Film Festival in Rome with his performance on Kalel, 15. He also won his first FAMAS Best Actor Award in the same year!
Elijah and Kokoy De Santos recently starred as Cairo Lazaro and Gavreel Alarcon in the movie adaptation of the hit Filipino Boys Love (BL) Youtube series GameBoys under the IdeaFirst Company.
But aside from Kalel, 15, and GameBoys, Elijah has already done a handful of movies and series over the past years. So if you want to see more of Elijah's talent, here are movies for you to watch.
How to Die Young in Manila
The film was originally made as a short pitch teaser to Petersen Vargas full-length feature, entitled "Some Nights Feel Like Walking." It's about a young boy who braves the streets of nighttime Manila to meet an anonymous hookup.
This short film questions and explores the possibility of an urban life, of human connection in the city, for those not protected by privilege from the cruel policies of this government, which kill young men everywhere. It's a film that imagines and situates queer desire within a city determined and shaped by politics.
The film is written by Jade Castro, Kaj Palanca, and Petersen Vargas. Featuring Elijah Canlas and Kokoy De Santos.
Babae At Baril
Babae At Baril is director Rae Red‘s entry for QCinema Film last 2019. The film explored the sociopolitical dynamic of the war on drugs in the Philippines.
In the movie Elijah is joined by Janine Gutierrez, Gie Onida ,Raffy Tejada, Jess Mendoza, Jal Galang, Felix Roco, Allan Paule, and JC Santos.
Edward
In this film by Thop Nazareno, Elijah only played a supporting role as Renz but he won the Best Supporting Actor category from the Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro 2020 (PASADO).
Sundalong Kanin
Janice O’Hara‘s Sundalong Kanin tells the beginning history of the Japanese occupation to the Philippines in 1941. In this film, Elijah played the role of Badong a young boy who wants to prove that he is no longer a child by joining the war.
Contestant #4
In this film, Elijah played the role of a young boy who frequently visits an old man played by Joel Saracho who lives alone but keeps him company. One night, he caught the old man watching a dated clip of himself as a cross-dressing boy which sparked an interest to find out more about the old man’s past.
LSS
In this movie, Elija played the role of Cedie, the younger brother of Sarah, played by Gabbi Garcia. Here he got the opportunity to play and become a recording rap artist! *something we all know might happen anytime!*
The Flaming History Of The Dela Cruz Family
Set during the year 1971, this short film follows the story of the Dela Cruz family whose lives as farmers are constantly being threatened and exposed to acts of violation and exploitation. The movie mirrors the realities and hardships our farmers face at the hands of greed and corruption. In the film, Elijah plays the role of Tonio.
━━ Art By Metroscene Mag
