Kalel, 15 was much more than a breakout role for Elijah Canlas.
In the latest episode of Rolling Stone Philippines’ YouTube series, Greatest HitsGreatest HitsA compilation of an artist's best-known or most popular songs, usually released as a career-spanning collection. It is a good entry point for new listeners, and it is also theGo to Greatest Hits Glossary, the actor reflected on how his role as the titular character in the 2019 drama helped open his eyes to people living with HIV in the Philippines.
The movie follows 15-year-old Kalel (Canlas) as he navigates his HIV diagnosis and his relationships with his mother Edith (Jaclyn Jose), his father (Eddie Garcia), his sister Ruth (Elora Españo), and his girlfriend Sue (Gabby Padilla).
“Maraming lumapit sa akin, friends even, na ‘di pa inaamin that they do have it, and then they told me na watching the movie kind of changed their lives and gave them the courage to seek help,” Canlas told Rolling Stone Philippines.
Canlas also recalled how Kalel 15 director Jun Lana advised him not to prepare for the role, but to instead empathize with the character as much as possible. “[Kalel’s] just a survivor,” said Canlas, “a fighter in this cruel country, in this world. Despite his family and friends betraying him… lumalaban siya, and he chooses to survive. That was a big wake-up call for me.”
In Rolling Stone Philippines’ Greatest Hits, Canlas breaks down five of his biggest projects to date. You can watch it now exclusively on our YouTube channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2019 drama follows 15-year-old Kalel, played by Elijah Canlas, as he navigates his HIV diagnosis and his relationships with his mother, father, sister, and girlfriend, directed by Jun Lana.
Canlas said friends approached him after the film’s release, including some who hadn’t disclosed their own HIV status, telling him the movie gave them courage to seek help, an impact he described as significant to his understanding of the role’s real-world resonance.
Lana advised Canlas not to formally prepare for the role, but instead to empathize as deeply as possible with Kalel’s experience as a survivor facing betrayal from family and friends while choosing to keep fighting.
“Greatest Hits” is a Rolling Stone Philippines YouTube series where actors break down five of their biggest career projects. In this episode, Elijah Canlas discusses “Kalel, 15” among his selected works.
The film also starred Jaclyn Jose as Kalel’s mother Edith, Eddie Garcia as his father, Elora Españo as his sister Ruth, and Gabby Padilla as his girlfriend Sue.
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