Disclaimer: This article includes references to intense emotional experiences that may be triggering for some readers.
The action-drama series Incognito continues to wow audiences, not only for its action-packed scenes but also for the emotionally charged performances from its cast.
One of the actors who guest-starred on the show is Elijah Canlas who played Donato Escalera, the son of a powerful syndicate head, during its pilot week. In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Elijah shared how he landed the role.
“It was offered to me when I was at a look test. Tapos, parang interesting siya. So, I was like, basahin ko po ‘yung script. I'll come up with a decision. Then, I got to read the script and they were like, ‘Okay, send namin ‘yung script, pero you need to make a decision soon. Kasi, you have to fly to Palawan tomorrow’ (which was) like, literally the next day. So, I was like, ‘Ah, shoot,’ I don't really know how to do that,” he recalled.
He went on to share how he eventually accepted the role, despite having initial doubts.
“I'm an actor who really prepares. And dito ko nakukuha ‘yung confidence, I guess. So, grabe ‘yung preparation ko. Maybe I panicked at first. And then, you know, may mga nag-intervene na na bosses nung sinabi ko ‘yun. So, I had to do it. I flew agad the next day. So, I was there for like, I think a week or so,” Elijah shared.
Despite being a guest character, Elijah’s role as Donato was both emotionally and physically demanding—especially as the character’s arc ended in tragedy, taking his own life.
Elijah admitted to PUSH ABS-CBN that it was both a challenge and a responsibility to portray such a scene, emphasizing the importance of showing and telling these kinds of stories.
“Actually, when they pitched it to me, nung in-offer pa lang sa akin, sinabi na sa akin ‘yung ending na ‘yun. That's why I wanted to read the script first. Paano siya maja-justify? Paano siya aabot sa point na ‘yun? Importante ‘yung mga kuwentong ganyan na hindi lang parang mag-trigger. Pero, nung nabasa ko na yung script, it made sense, you know. It made sense to the character,” he explained.
He went on to say that he hopes it will also help educate others.
“Kinuwestyon ko nga sarili ko if I'd be willing to do something like that. Pero, narealize ko that telling stories like these, showing the reality na nangyayari talaga ‘to through whatever struggles a person is going through, especially someone very young. Pag napakita mo ‘yun, mas lalong maraming maging aware and sana mas ma-educate ‘yung mga tao. So, that's why doon ko nakuha ‘yung lakas to do a scene like that,” Elijah shared.
Elijah has been an active advocate for mental health, with his family even launching KULIT: The JM Canlas Organization in honor of his late brother and former child actor, JM Canlas.
The award-winning actor also shared that, regardless of how evil Donato may have been in the series, he still learned something from portraying the character.
“Takeaway ko sa role na ‘yun is that no one is really purely evil. Alam mo ‘yun? Hindi lahat ng taong masama, masama lang talaga. Maaaring may pinanggagalingan sila. Maaaring may pinagdadaanan sila. Granted, may mga mali silang ginagawa and dapat i-acknowledge yung mga kamalian na ginagawa nila. Pero, dapat magbigay din tayo ng space for empathy and kindness and understanding and hope for change and growth talaga,” he expressed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, please know that help is available. You can reach out to the National Center for Mental Health through their crisis hotline:
NCMH CRISIS HOTLINENationwide: 1553 or 1800-1888-1553
Smart/TNT: 0919-057-1553Globe/TM: 0917-899-8727 or 0966-351-4518