Elijah Canlas attended the Olivia Rodrigo concert in Manila for a very special reason. He went there to honor and remember his late brother, JM Canlas.
In an Instagram Story, Elijah revealed that he went to the concert alone for his brother. He uploaded a photo of JM's 1x1 picture in front of the Philippine Arena that came with a heartfelt and tear-jerking message for JM. Elijah talked about how JM adored Olivia—from watching all her Disney shows to hyping up her songs.
"Just JM and I for the Olivia Rodrigo concert," he began in his post. "JM was so obsessed with Olivia—he literally has his own corner of Olivia merch at home. He even made me watch the Disney shows she starred in. That's also why I know most of her songs. He would sing and play them a lot in the car," Elijah shared.
Aside from JM being the biggest Livie (Olivia's fandom name), Elijah's attendance to the show was also a promise he kept for his youngest brother. "He made me promise to take him to an Olivia Rodrigo concert someday," he disclosed before turning the post's caption into his message for her brother.
"Oo na... magaling na Olivia mo, JM. Miss kita! Kahit mag-isa lang ako kanina at may konting buhos ng luha, ramdam kitang sumasabay sa bawat kanta, nakangiting tumatalon, at tunay na maligaya. Hope you had fun! :)" Elijah wrote.
ICYDK, Olivia held her GUTS World Tour in Manila. It was deemed to be her biggest sold-out show ever with 55,000 fans jumping and screaming for her inside the Philippine Arena on October 5, 2024. Her show took place more than a year after JM passed away in August 2023.
Elijah Canlas' relationship with late brother JM Canlas
JM died at the young age of 17. It was their older brother, Jerom Canlas, who announced the sad news to the public. "It is with the heaviest heart and deep sorrow that our family announces the death of our bunso, Jamile Matthew Madiclum Canlas, earlier this morning. He was 17," he wrote on Facebook.
A week after JM's death, Elijah posted a lengthy message in his honor. There, he poured out everything for his brother. "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 every day. Walang makakatapat o higit sa'yo," Elijah wrote in his moving tribute for his brother.
JM, like his brother, was an actor. He starred in ANi, Kiko Boksingero, and Unconditional.
