Elijah Canlas believes your art is home to your truth
Elijah Canlas puts the “art” back in “artista.” While he is most known for his acting prowess, Canlas has recently ventured into the world of rap.
This rising music star wields his microphone to amplify important issues. The official performance video of his latest single Asar Talo is set in a jeepney, to draw attention to the PUV Modernization Program.
As Elijah sits down with The Philippine STAR, he reveals that while his music is still in its early stages, he’s not going to stop speaking his truth anytime soon. Dive deep into the world he creates through his art in our conversation below.
It's so exciting to keep writing personal stories because you know you're not alone with whatever you're going through.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Filipinos have a rich history of using music for storytelling and social commentary. What are your thoughts on the role of music in preserving our history and cultural identity?
ELIJAH CANLAS: Nowadays, (art) is mainly used to express one’s self and one’s truth. This is important because all of us are products of this country and our culture and history, so even if your music is very personal, it still falls under the category of keeping our culture and history intact. Personally, even with films and other art forms I use to express myself, I like to spread messages that are important to me.
How do you see your art as a vessel for truth and sparking conversations about important social issues?
When it comes to acting, I'm just a device for the directors to help tell their stories. All I can do is justify and humanize the characters given to me. I think (we’re in) the second coming of the golden age of Philippine cinema, (with) so many stories told by female directors, LGBT directors, and veterans and new filmmakers alike.
I'm doing this film called Edjop right now. It's a story about Edgar Jopson, a martial law martyr (who) lost his life under the Marcos administration back then. (He’s) one of the prominent student leaders at the time and an icon of Philippine activism. Being part of these stories is special for me and gives me a different level of purpose, not just as an artist but as a person.
When it comes to music, I'm (still) learning the ropes. I've had the opportunity to make lyric and performance videos and tried to put some of my advocacies into it.
(For my singles Kilala Kita and Asar Talo,) I wanted to use a jeepney and a tricycle as a set piece to spread awareness. Aside from the fact that I used to ride jeepneys and tricycles when I would commute, the jeepney phaseout was super prominent in the past couple of months. Drivers lost their jobs, and the modernization (program) is flawed and inconsiderate.
Many artists face challenges in expressing their truth through music. Have you encountered any such challenges?
It's just the pressure of exposing your truth. Before I performed my first gig, I was nervous as heck because music is way different from acting. When I act, I wear a mask. I portray different human beings. This music thing, it's just me.
Sometimes you think it won't connect with others because it's just personal to you, but that's what's surprising. Even if it's a personal experience, it will always connect with somebody. It's so exciting to keep writing personal stories because you know you're not alone with whatever you're going through. (There’s also) the fear of people finding your lyrics upsetting but at the end of the day, that's your truth. And there's no shame in expressing your truth.
What is your message of hope or belief for the future of Filipino music and its impact on society?
Your music is your own. Even if your songs aren't charting or haven’t reached a wide audience, just know that it does touch people, even if it’s just one person. It will touch that one person very deeply. Our art form, this music thing, is very powerful.
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Elijah’s latest single Asar Talo is out now on all major streaming platforms nationwide via Island Records Philippines.
