Paano Ang Pangako star Elijah Canlas is still new in the acting industry but he’s already received countless praises from the powerhouse cast of the TV5 family drama.
The 20-year-old actor made showbiz-watchers sit up and take notice of him via the 2019 film Kalel, 15. His performance of the title role bagged him the Best Actor award in 2020 from two prestigious award-giving bodies — the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) and Gawad Urian Awards. He further made a mark after starring in the country’s first BL series Gameboys.
From working on indie films to web series, Elijah has branched out to soap operas. Of course, his first serye was with his mentors at the creative content company IdeaFirst headed by filmmakers Jun Lana and Perci Intalan.
Paano Ang Pangako started their locked-in taping October of last year. Now that the Kapatid serye is nearing its end, the show’s cast has nothing but good words for the up-and-comer who plays the lead character Noel.
Even veteran co-star Maricel Laxa who plays Faith, Noel’s mother, said during Paano Ang Pangako’s season finale press conference that it was inspiring to be in the midst of this young artist.
“It’s really inspiring to see a young man like him who’s well-accomplished to be so humble and still wanting to learn — and that’s the secret to lifelong success,” she said.
Bing Loyzaga, who plays the series antagonist Elvira, shared it was evident that Elijah was passionate about the acting craft.
Director Jun Lana, who megged both Kalel, 15 and Paano Ang Pangako, as well as produced Gameboys, admitted to being worried in the past about casting Elijah prematurely in a soap opera. But to their surprise, he gave them his all everyday.
“I’m just really proud sa growth niya bilang artista. And nakita natin sa edad niyang ito, na kung ito yung kaya niyang gawin, marami pa siya pwedeng gawin,” he said.
Meanwhile, Elijah shared how challenging and “nakakabaliw” it was to be in a locked-in shoot, playing the same character for months.
“Ibang samahan siya and iba rin siya as an actor na you’re doing the same character for months and you’re doing it almost everyday,” he said.
What made the young actor’s performance worthy of praise from people behind the serye?
With the family saga, Elijah learned that it was better to go back to basics of acting.
“Makinig lang, mag-react lang tapos kung ano kalabasan, just enjoy whatever scene you’re doing kahit mabigat pa yan,” he said.
Watch out for Paano Ang Pangako’s five-hour-long season finale on Black Saturday on TV5.
