Disclaimer: This article includes references to intense emotional experiences that may be triggering for some readers.
Elijah Canlas is gearing up to release his full album soon, with one track holding a particularly special place in his heart.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the award-winning actor revealed how he included a song originally composed by his late brother JM.
“He wrote this song for his girlfriend at the time. May first verse siya and may chorus. Pero hanggang dun lang ‘yung kanta. Kasi syempre parang sinulat niya lang ‘yun para sa jowa niya,” he shared.
Elijah added that he often listens to the song titled “Bituin”, especially during moments when he misses JM.
“We keep listening to it. I keep listening to it. Kasi ‘pag nami-miss ko siya, syempre gusto ko marinig lang ‘yung boses niya. Ang lamig-lamig ng boses niya. He composed it on his own. Even the guitar riff, it was done by him. Ako nga, ‘di ko kaya ‘yung ganun,” he said.
The actor went on to share how the idea of continuing the song came to him, reflecting on the best way to finish it and the message they wanted to send to their star.
“Ano kaya ‘yung sunod nito? Baka wala na talaga siyang sunod. What if tayo ‘yung sunod? ‘Yan ‘yung pinag-usapan namin ng family ko. What if may sagot tayo sa mga sinasabi ni JM, our own version of ’bituin’? And siya ‘yung bituin natin eh. So, anong pwede natin sabihin doon?” he expressed.
Elijah’s late brother JM passed away in 2023. While the cause of death was not confirmed, the family shared that JM had long struggled with mental health challenges.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas recalls how he and brother JM shared favorite hobbies
Meanwhile, the actor, who now goes by the name Elijah for his singer-songwriter persona, recently released his newest hip-hop track titled “Joseph K”, a song that holds a meaning just as important as his other works.
“Ang gusto kong takeaway ay, sana, kahit paano ay mag-bop ang heads nyo. Sana mag-vibe kayo, mas mag-vibe kayo sa kanta. Pero other than that, kung may kwento kayo, katulad ng kwento ni Joseph K., na katulad na rin ang kwento ko, sana malaman nyo na hindi kayo nag-iisa dyan. At sana patuloy lang tayo sa pursuit natin para sa katotohanan at hustisya,” Elijah shared.
Elijah also teased, during the recent premiere of his music video, some of the other tracks from his upcoming album, including “Kilala Kita,” “Mousetrap,” “Loved Song,” “Lalalalang,” and “Bituin.”
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
You may also check https://ncmh.gov.ph/ for further details.