Elijah Canlas at JM Canlas
SA ilang araw at mga gabing hindi na kasama ng aktor na si Elijah Canlas ang kapatid na si JM Canlas ay inalala niya noong una niyang masilayan ang kanilang bunso.
Sa kanyang Facebook account ay pinost ni Elijah ang collage pictures ni JM na magkakasama silang pamilya sa pamamasyal at sa mga importanteng araw ng batang aktor.
Ikinuwento ni Elijah kung anong klaseng kapatid si JM at kung paano ito makisama sa lahat ng tao. Wala itong pinipiling gender dahil lahat ay pantay-pantay para sa kanya at higit sa lahat, aminado ang aktor na daig sila ng bunsong kapatid sa maraming bagay.
Bungad na kuwento ni Elijah, “I remember the first time I saw you, JM. Mom had chicken pox when she gave birth to you that’s why Kuya Jerom and I weren’t able to meet you as soon as possible.
“But I was there when mom and dad first brought you home. They had to run some quick errands so they left you with me and the maid at home. I was home early since I was still in preschool.
“Our parents told me, ‘Kuya ka na! Alagaan mo kapatid mo.’ I vividly remember walking slowly to your room. You were on the bed sleeping. I was excited but shy. As I laid beside you, I just started to be mesmerized. Kuya na ako.
“Ayaw kong mainitan ka so I turned the fan up. That accidentally woke you up but you didn’t really cry yet. You just looked at me. Perhaps waiting for me to introduce myself. So I did. I kept talking to you like you would understand me. You were just staring at me until our parents arrived.
“Growing up, you always outshone Kuya and I. At 4 years old, you already joined us onstage performing in school musicals. You’re everyone’s baby boy. You’d also compete in Math quiz bees and win.
“You starred in 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘠𝘦𝘺! — giving joy and inspiration to your generation. You weren’t really formally trained in acting like us but, oh boy, did you excel whenever you’re onstage or onscreen (watch 𝘜𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥i𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 on Netflix to know what I mean).
“Mapa-𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘢 or 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘣𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵 pa iyan. You also remained to be the go-to guy for our country’s dubbing industry even as your voice changed over time (he dubbed 𝘊𝘰𝘤𝘰, 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘴, among many more).
Baka Bet Mo: Elijah Canlas pinigilan ang feelings kay Miles Ocampo: ‘Kasi ayoko talagang nagkakagusto sa mga nakakatrabaho ko’
“I remember being in awe as I watched you dub that 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘥𝘢𝘺 show recently and telling you how great you are at what you do. You taught yourself how to play guitar and the piano. You wrote songs and you played it for us.
“We’d be jamming together as a family on your Facebook live because you love singing. You always had a knack with gaming and technology. We’d always run to you whenever we needed help with that techie stuff.
“I can go on and on about your achievements and success at your very young age. But most importantly to me, you’re the best little brother anyone can ever ask for. I am so so proud of you, JM. Iba ka,” pagbabalik-tanaw ni Elijah.
Patuloy pa niyang kuwento, “We call you 𝘬𝘶l𝘪𝘵 because you talked and moved nonstop when you were younger. You always know how to make us smile and laugh up until you grew older.
“You manage to make all the people I introduce to you feel comfortable and impressed — no matter what their SOGIE is; no matter how old or young. Everyone is important to you. You care for everything and everyone.
“You help and fight for the oppressed every chance you can. You always stand for what is right and just. You have the kindest and warmest heart. Everyone I know whom you’ve met loves you. You always end up being everyone’s favorite. Because you’re JM! The most intelligent, selfless, funniest, reliable, talented, and empathetic person. You really are the best of all of us,” emosyonal pang mensahe ng binata.
Sa napakahabang tribute ni Elijah sa bunsong kapatid ay inaming nahirapan siyang mag-isip kung paano isulat ito dahil baka kapusin siya ng mga tamang termino para ilarawan si JM.
“I’ve been struggling to write ‘cause I don’t think anything will be enough to honor you. I always thought you deserved the best. That you deserved the world. But I realized that you are far too beautiful for this world, JM. We do not deserve you. This world does not deserve you.
“Don’t worry about us. None of us are mad. We understand you completely. We just miss you, kulit. I miss you so fucking much. Forgive kuya Jelo for all his shortcomings. I’m so sorry we couldn’t take away your pain. The guilt and regrets will forever be with us.
“Walang hanggang patawad para sa lahat. Thank you for all the times you’d help and take care of our family, for all the times you’d treat me food, teach me stuff I didn’t know, all the car rides, all the film and music suggestions, all the times we’d play games or sports, all the times you’d take photos of me and you’d let me take photos of your pogi face, all the jokes, all the good times and bad, all the lambing, hugs, and kisses.
“We’re not really affectionate as a family but you never fail to make me feel your love and how proud you are of me. I want to thank you for so many more things. I am no one without you. Walang hanggang pasasalamat para sa lahat lahat.
“We have an infinite amount of memories to remember you by. Babawi kami, JM. We’ll continue all your dreams and goals for us and this country. We’ll carry on your amazing legacy. We’ll continue being kind and being there for whoever’s in need.
“Like you always do. We will live by you through each and every second of everyday. Walang makakatapat o higit sa ’yo. Enjoy ka lang diyan! Don’t worry about us. No goodbyes. I’ll see you later, JM. I love you more than anything.
“Mahal na mahal ka namin. Mahal na mahal ka ni kuya. Mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal!
“Habang buhay. Habambuhay.”
Sa comment section ay nag-post si Elijah ng, “In his adolescence, JM struggled with his mental health. If you are experiencing current distress and are in need of URGENT ATTENTION, please proceed to the emergency room of the hospital nearest you. You can also call the following numbers:
*DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727
*Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673 and 02-8804-4673
*In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944 and 02-8893-7603
*Request for FREE legal or psychological counseling services at https://bit.ly/SulongRequestForm
Elijah Canlas inaming ‘the one’ si Miles Ocampo: ‘Pag nagmahal po kasi ako buong-buo po talaga