Actor-director Jerom Canlas took to social media to express his admiration for his younger brother, actor Elijah Canlas, and his performance in the film EDJOP.
Following the film’s premiere, Jerom shared what he called his “comprehensive post of adoration” for the cast, particularly Elijah, whom he described as one of the film’s greatest strengths.
“Majority of the cast are friends—mga galing teatro at mga kasama/kakilala sa pagpepelikula—and I’m just freaking proud and happy to see all of them bringing their A-game to this film, mapa-cameo man ’yan o supporting role. Totoo nga ang kasabihan na there are no small roles, only small actors! Heck, even my girlfriend is one of the actors, and siyempre, my younger brother is the m*th*rf*ckin’ titular role!” Jerom wrote.
As Elijah’s older brother and fellow artist, Jerom said he could not help but be amazed by how his younger sibling portrayed Martial Law activist Edgar Jopson or Edjop.
“MALUPET SI ELIJAH LUIZ MADICLUM CANLAS. Oo, kapatid ko siya, pero paksh*t, ang lupet!!!” he expressed.
He continued, “I do not say this lightly. Para sa mga ’di nakakaalam, I am both my brother’s worst critic and, of course, his biggest fan (at ganoon din siya sa akin!). Kapag pangit at hindi ko trip, sasabihin ko talaga straight-up. Lahat ng nag-work at hindi nag-work, pag-uusapan talaga namin nang masinsinan. We break down everything—choices, nuances, physicality, voice, speech patterns, objectives. Kaya gulat na gulat siya pagkatapos ng premiere night kasi first time na puro papuri ang sinabi ko sa pagganap niya kay Edjop.”
Having witnessed Elijah’s career from the beginning, Jerom also described the role as one of his brother’s strongest performances to date.
“Ako lang siguro ang makakapag-claim na nasubaybayan ko ang buong career ni Jelo—mula noong bata pa kami sa Etivac na nagtateatro, naging iskolar sa Makiling, hanggang sa kung ano at sino na siya ngayon—andoon ako. At para sa akin, Edjop is arguably his BEST PERFORMANCE in a film to date (interchangeable with Kalel, 15 and Raging, depende sa araw hehe). So grounded, yet full of gravitas,” he said.
Jerom went on to highlight the details he admired in Elijah’s portrayal, particularly the way he delivered the character’s lines and conveyed his transformation throughout the story.
“Grabe 'yung mga mata kung mangusap! In the wrong hands, another actor could easily come off as preachy dahil sa verbose at matalinhagang mga linya. Pero kay Jelo, effortless at dumudulas lang lahat. Every beat and every unit? So crisp and crystal clear. He aged believably from the reformist Atenean to the radical Party member living underground who fights for a better future for his countrymen and children. His portrayal of the revered Edjop is a masterclass in acting from start to finish,” he said.
For Jerom, however, Elijah’s performance goes beyond what can be seen on screen.
“I believe that playing Edjop is the most important role my brother has done in his filmography so far. Lakas talaga ng tama ng performance ni Jelo sa akin bilang aktibista (at kakatapos ko lang din ng isang Martial Law play haha). Walang ibang batang aktor ang may tapang na gawin ang ginawa ni Jelo. Wala makakatumbas sa ipinamalas niyang husay, talino, at puso. FIGHT ME,” he said.
Jerom ended his post by reflecting on the kind of artist his brother has become and the values he sees in Elijah.
“Edjop is a testament to who Elijah Canlas is as an artist— isang tunay at palaban na Artista ng Bayan. Prinsipyado at may paninindigan. Mahusay, may dangal, at makatao. And that makes me the proudest kuya sa balat ng lupa. Sigurado akong proud din si JM,” Jerom said, referring to their late brother JM Canlas.
EDJOP is an independent film that tells the story of activist Edgar Jopson against the backdrop of the Martial Law period under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
READ: 5 years in the making, film on Martial Law activist heads to cinemas