The chances of achieving world peace and social justice may not be easy, but it is never zero. Elijah Canlas shows us how to maintain our stamina as Generation Now fights for the greater good.
Watching the news these days feels like watching a C-list disaster movie, except nobody’s laughing and everybody’s scared and sad. But to not be aware of what’s going on around you doesn’t help anybody. So how can we stay informed and where can we channel this nervous energy that comes from living in a society riddled with problems?
Gen Z represents the part of the population that is coming into its own unique power, which will only continue to grow over the coming years. And the pressure associated with the label can be crushing. The expectation is that you are well-informed on all major issues and that you join activities beyond just advocating on social media, and so on and so forth. All of this on top of needing to be a functioning, contributing member of society.
One such challenger who is throwing down the gauntlet and using their voice in whatever way they can is the powerhouse actor Elijah Canlas, whose diverse roles played over a nearly decade-long career shows not only his versatility in his chosen field, but his dedication to telling stories that can change the world. From hard-hitting pieces such as Kalel, 15 and Blue Room, to contemporary serialized works such as Senior High and Gameboys, his works capture the experiences and concerns of Generation Now to spark difficult conversations.
Related: Elijah Canlas Is More Than Just A Talented Actor—He’s Also An Outspoken Advocate and Ally
FACING THE TERRAIN
As a former PHSA Theater kid and current BA Philippine Arts major at UP Manila, Elijah owes his passion for social justice to the circumstances of his education, stating, “ I always obliged myself to care about society because you educated me, you know. You paid your taxes and your taxes paid for my education and I will always care about the country because of that. I owe that to my country aside from the fact that I was born and I was raised here.” More than this, he carries with him the spirit and the duty of an artist. “Because I’m an artist and I think that’s the essential purpose of the artist – it’s to tell stories and to justify these stories. These real stories that were written into a script, filmed into a movie or a show, will be seen by millions of people and they will take that message and that story and they will grow up with it. They will learn from it and it will become part of their humanity.”
Button-down shirt by @undrafted1600 , UNDRAFTED 1600, Cargo pants by @jire.ph , JIRÉ , Clogs by @aleysmnl , Aleys
In previous generations, though the prestige of the title was acknowledged, artists were generally looked down upon for their being “non-essential” to society. And how many of us have heard the famous “walang pera dyan” warning from our elders? But while what all arts and all media bring to the table may not always be tangible, it’s just as important to recognize soft power. Influence. The ability to shape values. After all, our values are what dictate who we become and what we fight for. We’ve seen this time and time again throughout the history of the world: a single idea can spark a movement. And this is at the heart of all art. “If there’s, like, 10 people who change their minds or get influenced by that and if they really think I’m right or if they really think what I believe is right then that’s great for me. I just want nothing but for the greater good to prevail,” says Elijah of his work.
Art is far from frivolous. When stripped down to its bones, the appreciation of color and texture and sound and meter can seem shallow. But as these things originate from living, breathing humans who exist in context, it becomes a profound experience – looking at our reality from multiple angles, including the darkest. In response to people who accuse Elijah and those as outspoken as he is, he simply replies, “I’d rather call it being a realist. You know, if reality is negative then that’s not my fault. I’m just pointing out the reality.” We live in a world that is marred with issues. Artists and their work hold up a mirror to society so that they may act to change it. As Elijah puts it, “You have to acknowledge that the world is cruel and we don’t win every single day. We don’t win every single battle and that’s okay. As long as you acknowledge the negativity and the positivity in the world, in life, then you can use it to educate yourself. You can learn from it and then use it to make yourself a better person.”
CHOOSING YOUR BATTLES
Changing the world is a huge undertaking. It’s a lofty idea that many would call naive, but that doesn’t stop Gen Z from trying. “Social justice is a dream,” Elijah acknowledges. “There will always be social changes that we want to fight for – as it should be, because we should never be satisfied with the world that we live in. We must try to continue to innovate and make it better and make ourselves better.” This idealism mixed with determination bordering on stubbornness on our part is part of what makes this generation so powerful. But it’s also the reason why so many are feeling tired and burnt out even at such a young age.
Mental health awareness has always been an advocacy of Elijah’s since he started speaking up about issues, but recently has become even more personal for him due to the passing of his younger brother. In his honor, the family has recently put up an organization dedicated to adolescents who are struggling with their mental health. For Elijah, changing the world can start with you caring for yourself: “When it comes to your mental health and caring so much about everybody else or everything that’s happening around you, I say: you gotta save yourself first. If you’re not around then who’s gonna battle outside? Who’s gonna stand up for the voiceless? Who’s gonna stand up for everybody who needs help if you’re gone, if you’re not okay?”
The struggle for the greater good will always exist for as long as we humans do. That’s why it’s important to recognize that being politically engaged needs to be tempered with grace towards yourself and others. “It’s gonna be a long fight. It’s gonna be a long battle to keep this going, to attain that. It’s a never-ending battle. There are wins and losses and it’s nice to just keep dreaming about a society that you dream of living in. It’s just nice to think about that.”
A SINGLE GRAIN
At times the good fight will feel like you’re running up against a brick wall. After all, power isn’t evenly distributed – not just from the view of the establishment vs. the individual. Some people have more privilege than others, and it exists in multiple forms. What’s important is to recognize the privileges we have and use them. Elijah challenges, “If you don’t think you’re privileged, then how are you reading this article? Everybody has some sort of privilege one way or another, it just depends on how big that privilege is and how small. But there’s always a way to help, no matter how big or small your privilege is. I think we should help each other. I feel like we owe it to each other.”
Privilege can be an extremely sensitive topic. Especially when you’re born well-to-do and are aware of the struggles of your countrymen, it can feel personally embarrassing – like you’re somehow a class traitor simply for the economic class you were born into. For Elijah, being privileged is okay – if you use it responsibly. “When you acknowledge the privilege, then the groundedness and the humbleness follows. The humility follows. And then maybe your principles form, your morals form, your values form, and then the urge to help comes.”
It comes down to recognizing what you, uniquely, bring to the table. If ever you feel like the struggle is pointless and that you’re too small to make a difference, Elijah has the following message for you: “Whoever made you feel this powerless, I’m sorry on behalf of them. You shouldn’t feel this way because at the end of the day you’re a human being. You have your mind and your heart and you have these resources no matter how big or small your privilege is, and you will always matter, even if you think you don’t.”
There are plenty of ways to change the world. It doesn’t have to be grand, and the measure of your success doesn’t have to be virality. But all change starts within. Elijah reminds us, “I know there’s power in telling stories, making music, acting, all that stuff, and I’ll just keep doing my part as much as I can. But at the same time, it has to be action-based. Social change can’t just be all about praying for social change or asking the government for social change or asking certain people in power for social change. I hate saying that it starts with us but it really starts with us.”
*KULIT, The JM Canlas Organization, started in September 2024, is currently accepting donations as well as calls from those who are struggling with their mental health. Contact them at 0967-384-8126 if you’re undergoing a mental health crisis or if you are interested in donating to the cause.
**Elijah also wanted us to remind you that the number of HIV cases in the country is growing at an alarming rate – that this is a problem we can address by supporting groups such as LoveYourself and other HIV organizations.
Photography by ALAN SEGUI
Assisted by JEO JINGCO and JOHN LIM
Creative and Fashion Direction by ANDRE JUDD CHANG
Art Direction by GELO QUIJENCIO
Styling by ANDRE JUDD CHANG
Fashion Assistant KURT ABONAL
Assisted by APRIL LOZADA
Production Design by ARJ MADZ of JAGGER STUDIOS
Makeup by ARON GUEVARA (Elijah and Eara) and KATHY ORAN (Abi and Gab)
Hair by PATTY CRISTOBAL (Abi, Eara, and Elijah) and SAM CORBILLON of TRIPLE LUCK HAIR STUDIO BY TLBNS (Gab)
Nails by CATHY BALINGASA of TRIPLE LUCK HAIR STUDIO BY TLBNS (Abi, Gab, and Elijah)
Shoot Coordination by JASMIN DASIGAN
Managing Editor RAFAEL BAUTISTA
Brand Associate BIANCA LAO
Grab your copy of the Generation Now MyZine Print Issue featuring Elijah, Abi, Gab, and Eara now HERE.
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