Lance Joseph Martinez

Elijah Canlas Reveals The Two Milestones That Defined His ‘I Made It’ Moment

Article (news)

<p>Most celebrities have their own definition of a true “I made it” moment—and for <strong>Elijah Canlas</strong>, two special milestones stand out.</p><p>During the media conference <strong>“The Year of Elijah: Exhibit of a Multimedia Force</strong>,<strong>”</strong> which highlighted his journey through film, television, and upcoming projects, the award-winning actor took the chance to reflect on when he first felt he had achieved his dreams.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756699682476metro.style elijah canlas.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Cornerstone Entertainment</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>According to Elijah, the first instance was in 2020 after the success of <em><strong>Kalel</strong><strong>, </strong><strong>15</strong></em>, which earned him multiple <strong>Best Actor</strong> wins from the <strong>1</strong><strong>7th Asian Film Festival</strong>, the <strong>68th FAMAS Awards</strong>, and the <strong>43rd Gawad Urian Awards.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIk1uYeHkBv/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A1137685%2C%22ls%22%3A104132%2C%22le%22%3A104731.00000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“I guess <em>nu&#x27;ng </em>when I was fortunate enough to win the Urian<strong></strong> and the FAMAS. So, that really felt different. <em>Syempre</em>, <em>ibang </em>level of euphoria <em>‘yung naramdaman ko. </em>That was way back 2020,” the 25-year-old actor recalled.</p><p>The Jun Robles Lana film <em>Kalel, 15 </em>tackled pressing issues such as the stigma surrounding HIV, the challenges of Filipino youth regarding sex, the struggles of growing up with a troubled parent, and double standards within a conservative society.</p><p>Elijah’s second defining moment came years later, in 2023, when he walked the red carpet of the<strong> ABS-CBN Ball</strong>.<em></em></p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CyqZSG0SRzV/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A950351%2C%22ls%22%3A104132%2C%22le%22%3A104731.00000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“And then, ‘<em>yung</em> <em></em>ABS<em> B</em>al<em></em>l<em></em>. It&#x27;s just funny because when I was growing up, <em>s&#x27;yempre</em>, <em>lagi</em> viral ‘<em>yung</em> <em></em>ABS-CBN Ball. The first time I got to attend, <em>medyo</em> surreal <em>na</em> experience <em>siya</em>. That was way back in 2023,” he said.</p><p>Despite these career milestones, Elijah emphasized the importance of staying grounded.</p><p>“I try to keep myself grounded. I don’t really think about that side of it. But, definitely, <em>napapansin</em> <em>ko</em> <em>sya</em>. <em>May mga taong na nagpapakita </em>or whatever,” he shared, adding, “At the end of the day, I just always go back to gratefulness and trying to work harder. <em>Mas</em> <em>ganu&#x27;n</em> <em>lang</em> <em>lagi</em>.”</p><p>This <strong>Cornerstone</strong> artist&#x27;s latest films are the sports drama film <strong><em>Sunshine </em></strong>and the mystery crime thriller film <strong><em>Uninvited</em></strong>. </p><p>During the press conference, Elijah also took the chance to express his gratitude for the warm reception of the film <em>Sunshine</em>, in which he played Miggy—the boyfriend who dismisses Sunshine’s (<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/2/22/a-fresh-start-for-maris-racal-star-of-incognito-sosyal-climbers-sunshine-1202?utm_campaign=Restart%2C+Reset%2C+Refocus%3A+The+Renaissance+of+Maris+Racal_promo&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_type=native&amp;utm_content=link" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maris Racal</a>) pregnancy and urges her to have an abortion.</p><p>“And thankful <em>sa</em> Filipino audience<em> na sumuporta ng sariling atin</em>. <em>Alam mo ‘yun</em>, thankful <em>na dumayo talaga &#x27;yung mga tao sa </em>SM Cinemas just to support this film. <em>Kahit wala silang masyado alam</em> about it aside from the cast, maybe, and the gymnast or whatever. <em>Pero</em> they supported it. And it&#x27;s not the usual Filipino hit. <em>Pero</em> successful <em>&#x27;yung Sunshine</em>,” he expressed.</p><div><em></em><strong><em></em></strong><em></em><strong></strong><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNnTIgBpkla/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A659136%2C%22ls%22%3A104132%2C%22le%22%3A104731.00000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Aside from acting, Elijah is now setting his sights on music, announcing that he is preparing a 10-track debut album under <strong>Universal Music Group</strong>.</p><p>“So right now there are 10 songs on it. I signed with UMG two years ago—two years ago<em> na rin</em>, and ‘<em>yung</em> prepared <em>na</em> tracklist <em>namin noon ay</em> for six songs. So it was supposed to be an EP only. <em>Pero</em> two years <em>na nga lumipas dahil n</em><em>a</em>-busy. Last year, I was doing a lot of TV work,” he shared.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos by <strong>Cornerstone Entertainment</strong> and <strong>Lance Joseph Martinez</strong></p>

<p>Most celebrities have their own definition of a true “I made it” moment—and for #ElijahCanlas, two special milestones stand out.</p>

Most celebrities have their own definition of a true “I made it” moment—and for #ElijahCanlas, two special milestones stand out.