It’s been five years in the making, but director Katski Flores’ Edjop, the biopic of activist Edgar “Edjop” Jopson, is finally coming to cinemas.
A new trailer for the biopic, starring Elijah Canlas as its titular activist, confirms the film is slated for a 2026 release, though a specific date has not yet been set. The film follows Jopson’s life as he navigates the martial law regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Jopson, then the president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, became one of the most well-known figures of the student movement against the dictator. Joining Canlas in the cast are Jodi Sta. Maria and Cedrick Juan.
The trailer reveals little of the biopic’s details, but it opens with Edjop sprawled on the floor after presumably being beaten by the military officers detaining him.
“Hindi madali,” Canlas says in a voiceover in the latest trailer. “Kahit anong landas ang piliin mo, sa akin o sa iba, hindi magiging madali. Kaya maging matapang ka, ha? Maging matapang kayo. Never forget.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone Philippines, Canlas spoke about Edjop and how meaningful the biopic’s message will be to today’s Filipino audiences. “Stories like Edjop will be a wakeup call for people,” said Canlas. “There’s not a perfect time more than now to tell this story.”
