Elijah Canlas Believes Your Art Is Home to Your Truth • PhilSTAR Life

Elijah Canlas brings back the “art” “artist.” Although he is best known for his acting, Canlas has recently ventured into the rap world.

This rising music star uses his microphone to amplify important issues. The official video of his performance last single Asar Talo takes place in a jeepney, to draw attention to the PUV Modernization Program.

As Elijah sits down with him The Philippine STARhe reveals that although his music is still in its early stages, he has no plans to stop speak his truth coming soon. Dive deep into the world he creates through his art in our conversation below.

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?

ELIA CANLAS: Nowadays (art) is mainly used to Express yourself and someone’s truth. This is important because we are all 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 movies and other art forms that I use to express myself, I like to spread messages that are important to me.

How do you see your art as a medium for truth and as an incentive for conversations about important social issues?

When it comes to acting, I’m just a tool for the directors to tell their stories. All I can do is justify and humanize the characters that I’m given. I think (we’re in) the second coming of the golden age of philippine cinema(with) so many stories told by female directors, LGBT Directorsand both veterans and new filmmakers.

I’m making this movie called Edjop at this time. It’s a story about Edgar Jopson, a martyr of the state of siege (who) lost his life during the Marcos administration back then. (He is) one of the prominent student leaders during that time and an icon of Philippine activism. Being part of these stories is special to me and gives me a different level of goalnot only as an artist but also as a person.

When it comes to music, I’m (still) learning the ropes. I’ve had the chance to do lyric and performance videos and have tried to put some of my advocacy into it.

(For my singles Kilala Kita And Asar Talo,) I wanted to use a jeepney and a tricycle as a prop to spread awareness. Aside from the fact that I used to use jeepneys and tricycles to commute, the phasing out of jeepneys has been very prominent in the past few months. Drivers lost their jobs and the modernization (program)) is flawed and thoughtless.

Many artists struggle to express their truth through music. Have you faced similar challenges?

It’s just the pressure to reveal your truth. Before I did my first performance, I was really nervous because music is very different from acting. When I act, I wear a mask. I portray different peopleThis music thing, that’s all me.

Sometimes you think it won’t affect 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 someone. It’s so exciting to keep writing personal stories because you know you’re not alone in whatever you’re going through. (There’s also) the fear that people will find your writing annoying, but at the end of the day that’s your truth. And there’s no shame in speaking your truth.

What is your message of hope or belief for the future of Filipino music and its impact on society?

Your music is yours. Even if your songs aren’t in the charts or have not reached a wide audiencejust know that it touches people, even if it’s just one person. It’s going to 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 now available on all major streaming platforms nationwide via Island Records Philippines.