Jan Angelo Batongbakal

Elijah Canlas reveals he almost gave up on his acting career

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapamilya actor Elijah Canlas revealed how he once thought of leaving behind his acting career to pursue something else. In the June 19 episode of PUSH IT, the <em>YSpeak</em> host recalled past rejections and how he found himself back in love with the craft of acting.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong><em><iframe width="780" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X7wh86gfYCk" title="Elijah Canlas on rejection, second chances, and trusting the right timing | PUSH IT" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Elijah has starred in several television shows and films–– having won several awards including a Best Actor accolade from FAMAS and a Gawad Urian.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/15/exclusive-elijah-canlas-reveals-almost-working-with-xyriel-manabat-again-1953" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas reveals almost working with Xyriel Manabat again</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>The Kapamilya star began acting at a young age and would audition for several shows, but at one point in his career, he wouldn’t get any roles. When he was 15 years old, he revealed that he planned to give up on acting and pursue something else.  </p><p>It was only after watching Dweine Baltazar’s <em>Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus </em>at 18 when he realized he wanted to get back to acting once more. </p><p>Elijah then shared that he had previously auditioned for the film <em>Kalel, 15</em>, but didn’t get the role for some reason. Despite this, fate had his back and eventually the role would make its way to him again–– even winning major acting awards for it.</p><p>“I auditioned for it way back 2014, tas akala ko I did good, tapos hindi ako nakuha, pero four years later, napunta rin siya sa&#x27;kin, so I think despite rejections and everything, kapag para sa&#x27;yo para sa&#x27;yo talaga,” he expressed.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/17/exclusive-elijah-canlas-on-working-with-romnick-sarmenta-he-s-a-very-present-actor-1912" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas on working with Romnick Sarmenta: ‘He’s a very present actor’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“It made me quit, ganun siya kalala for me. Tapos nung naisip ko bumalik sa acting, yun yung napunta sa akin na role. So weird talaga ng destiny, weird ng fate,” he added.</p><p>When asked about knowing when to keep or let go of the dream, Elijah maintained that only the person themselves could tell. For him, hard work, timing, and luck play a huge factor when it comes to achieving his dreams. </p><p>“May kinalaman din ang swerte diyan, minsan may kinalaman ang hard work, may kinalaman ang effort and kindness, I think, and just having the patience to wait for that right timing for yourself.”</p><p>“Kanya kanya talaga tayo and it really depends on you, but if there&#x27;s anyone who can tell you that it&#x27;s time, it&#x27;s only you,” he ended. </p>

<p>Elijah Canlas previously bid farewell to acting and focused on training to become a director.</p>

Elijah Canlas previously bid farewell to acting and focused on training to become a director.