Elijah Canlas says being assumed as gay is a 'compliment'

Elijah Canlas shared he does not get offended when people assume that he's gay, saying that he actually sees it as a compliment.  

In his interview with talent manager-vlogger Ogie Diaz, Elijah talked about his roles in TV and films. In case you didn’t know, the 23-year-old actor rose to fame for his role in the 2020 Boys’ Love (BL) web series, Gameboys with Kokoy de Santos.

Years after the show, Ogie asked whether Elijah was accused of being gay while doing the project. 

“Hanggang ngayon naman yata, Mama Ogs, napagkakamalan ako. Pero I’m fine. Sabi ko, I guess it’s a compliment that people believe I’m gay or I’m from the community,” he said. 

“Kasi secure ako sa sarili ko e, alam ko kung sino ako,” he added. “Kilala ko ‘yung sarili ko.” 

“I can stay true to myself, and I’m secure with my identity."

After Gameboys, Elijah also landed another role where he plays a gay character in the psychological film About Us But Not About Us with Romnick Sarmenta. When asked if he’s going to do similar projects, he said,  “Right now, I don’t see it happening.” 

“Nagsabi na ako na this may be my last for a while. Kasi gusto ko mabigyan rin ng opportunity ‘yung iba pang queer actors,” he recalled saying last year after the release of the film. He also stressed that it would be better if such roles were played by someone from the community for better representation. 

“Marami akong kakilala na queer actors as well na mahuhusay, and I’d be proud enough na makakuha sila ng gano’ng klaseng trabaho and they represent themselves,” he said. 

He added, “Siyempre kahit ally ako, kahit sinusuportahan ko ‘yung pakikibaka ng LGBTQ community, and nauunawaan ko ‘yung struggle, hindi ako from the LGBTQ community.” 

“Mas maganda na ‘yung mga gumanap do’n, ‘yung mga taong nandoon na talaga sa community, mas alam nila ‘yung struggle e,” he concluded.