Paul Christian Ocampo

EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas on working with Romnick Sarmenta: ‘He’s a very present actor’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapamilya actor Elijah Canlas detailed what he learned working with Romnick Sarmenta again. In an exclusive interview with <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>, the <em>Senior High</em> star revealed that the camaraderie between them grew stronger and he learned some lessons from him as well. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTUwaNYEQ-h/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A36313.89999997616%2C%22ls%22%3A36131%2C%22le%22%3A36137.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Elijah and Romnick worked in the 2022 film, <em>About Us But Not About Us</em>, an official entry to the first Metro Manila Summer Film Festival. It was directed by award-winning director Jun Robles Lana and a stage adaptation was made earlier this year which also stars the two actors alongside Epy Quizon and Andoy Ranay. </p><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><p>The Kapamilya actor shared how different it was turning the award-winning film into a stage play. </p><p>“Nagkaroon ng oras and luxury of time to rehearse. We were rehearsing for months. Unlike the film where we had one day to rehearse–– a day before the first day of shoot, then five days straight tinapos namin yung pelikula,” he shared.</p><p>“This time around, mas napag-aralan ko yung characters, yung kuwento, mas nabusisi ko yung layers na kailangan kong gawin, at mas nakapaglaro ako, mas nakapag-explore ako,” he added.</p><p>Elijah maintained that he found his groove as he prepared for the stage play and at the same time he highlighted that the chemistry between him and Romnick grew stronger as they were able to practice their dialogue more. </p><p>“We were just really being present, in the moment at ganun klaseng actor din si kuya Nico eh. He’s a very present actor. Dito sa play, sa theater, mas nakilala ko siya and I feel like doon, mas lumalim yung chemistry namin, yung connection namin sa isa’t-isa. Mas nakahanap kami ng maraming different choices to explore and mas marami akong natutunan sa kanya,” he explained.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/27/elijah-canlas-shares-single-loved-song-was-for-miles-ocampo-kinilig-naman-siguro-siya-1054" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Elijah Canlas shares single ‘Loved Song’ was for Miles Ocampo: ‘Kinilig naman siguro siya’</strong></a></div><p>He revealed that the stage play of <em>About Us But Not About Us</em> was where he fixed some of the things he wanted to do in the film. Elijah admitted that he wasn’t satisfied with his performance in the film, which was why he was elated that the stage play was offered to him as well. </p><p>“Happy ako na nagawa namin siya and happy din ako sa sarili ko na naayos ko yung gusto kong ayusin,” he maintained. </p><p>For the Kapamilya actor, he is just grateful that he gets to learn more of his craft as he gets to work with other actors such as Romnick.</p><p>“So, with the whole experience andami ko pang natutunan and that’s just great. Ang dami kong ginagawa pero marami pa rin akong natutunan and I’m just grateful,” he ended.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUsglQYEV-t/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A36319.89999997616%2C%22ls%22%3A36131%2C%22le%22%3A36137.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Elijah alongside his family is set to hold the third JM Canlas Badminton Cup this March 20 to 22 at the Don Antonio Sports Complex in Quezon City. This year’s edition will feature something new as Elijah shared they are opening a School Team Tie Category.</p>

<p>Elijah Canlas shares the things he learned from Romnick Sarmenta after working with him again on the stage adaptation of 'About Us But Not About Us.' </p>

Elijah Canlas shares the things he learned from Romnick Sarmenta after working with him again on the stage adaptation of 'About Us But Not About Us.'