Elijah Canlas on doing comedy: ‘It’s the hardest genre to do as an actor’
As the face of this year’s QCinema Film Festival, Elijah Canlas has always been vocal about supporting the local initiative to bring more quality films from here and abroad to mainstream cinemas. The talented actor was happy to share with PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview about being able to pursue his dream projects this year which has him venturing into a very different genre.
“Honestly, recently I’ve been branching out. This year is the first time I’ve worked on a comedy film. It’s called Rags to Riches and it’s directed by Victor Villanueva. Meron din kaming ginawa ni kuya John Arcilla HB2Me directed by Veronica Velasco which is also a dark comedy. So I’ve done two films na medyo crazy yung performances ko. First time ko magpakita ng lighter side, na parang ganitong side ko sa acting, maliban sa Water Sports na ginawa ko sa Cinema a couple of years back na goofy goofy din. It’s funny, it’s creative, it’s crazy. Ito, nakagawa aka ng dalawang full-length na comedy and sana kaya .ko. I mean, yun yung gusto ko ma-prove ever since. Wala kasi nagtitiwala sa akin sa comedy kayo ngayon na nakagawa na ako ng comedy, sana there are more opportunities,” he shared.
Despite being relatively new to the genre, Elijah said that his approach to comedy was just like any role he had been given. “Kasi naniniwala ako, espcially pag sa pelikula di ba? Hindi naman ako stand-up comedian. Actor ako at the end of the day. Kaya pag gagawa ng comedy, aaralin kon yung set-up, yung punchline, yung character, yung delivery. Kailangan maaral ko yun. And masasabi ko ngayon na nakagawa na ako ng comedy, it really is the hardest. It’s the hardest genre to do as an actor, at least,” he added.
When asked about his working experience with multi-awarded actor John Arcilla, Elijah admitted it pushed him to do even better on the set. “It was so much fun. May pressure din siyempre, kasi he’s a very serious actor. He really shows up on set na prepared and ready kung and and kukunan naming that day and madam siyang ideas. Sobrang gaming ideas. And nakaka-inspire yun. As a kid, I mean, I’m not a kid anymore, but I guess as a young guy in the industry, may mag ideas ako that I don’t really voice out as often as I’d like. Kasi siyempre iniisip ko bata pa ako, Baka parang corny yung idea. Pero na-inspire ako kay kya John to do the same sa mag next projects ko. Na pag may idea, might as well share it lang. Baka kaman mag-work di ba?” he said.
The 14th QCinema International Film Festival runs from November 13 to 22, 2026, with screenings at Gateway Cineplex 18, Robinsons Movieworld Galleria, Ayala Malls Cinemas TriNoma, Fisher Box Office, and SM Cinema – SM City Fairview. All festival screenings are priced at a discounted ticket rate of ₱200 each.