Actor and musician Elijah Canlas, known for the BL series Gameboys, recently released his debut album South II, which includes the track “u wanna be?” featuring SHNTI. The song’s music video, released on February 20, was directed by Kiyo, known for his raw and grounded visual storytelling within the Philippine hip-hop and R&B arena.
This is reflected in the music video which opens with a hand knocking on a door—symbolizing a glimpse into the artist’s thoughts as he questions identity and seeks validation. Through its visuals, the video unfolds like a look inside the artist’s mind, reflecting the struggle to belong in a society filled with expectations, especially for someone constantly in the public eye.
READ: Elijah Canlas honors late brother JM in badminton cup: 'Gusto namin madami kaming matulungan'
The track, “u wanna be?”, questions external validation and the pressure to perform versions of ourselves just to fit in. Throughout the video, mannequins appear as recurring symbols of the different versions of the artist he feels pressured to present.
“E di goodbye sa lahat ng sumasabit. Pag malayong marating, marami talagang lalapit. Dama ang mga nagalit, handa silang harangin ngunit ang aking mundo’t daigdig ay hindi lang umiikot sa akin.” The lyric reflects a moment of realization—acknowledging that success often attracts both admiration and criticism while reminding himself that his world cannot revolve around the expectations of others.
Fans have been exacited about his new music.
“congrats on your new music, elijah!! we love you and your music so much. so proud of you!! 🔥” a netizen commented.
Through symbolic visuals and introspective lyrics, the video offers a glimpse into Elijah’s thoughts on identity and the expectations that come with being in the spotlight.
—By Jhezirae Alcantara, PUSH ABS-CBN Intern