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Inalala ng aktor na si Elijah Canlas ang mga masasayang sandali nila ng kaniyang pumanaw na nakababatang kapatid na si JM Canlas.

Si JM ang bunso sa tatlong magkakapatid kasama ang kaniyang mga kuya at kapwa aktor na sina Elijah at Jerom Canlas.

Isang linggo matapos ang pamamaalam ni JM, ibinahagi ni Elijah sa social media ang mga larawan nila kalakip ang madamdaming mensahe para sa kapatid.

Sa nasabing mensahe, binalikan ni Elijah ang unang beses na nakita niya ang bunsong kapatid na si JM kung saan siya unang naging ganap na “Kuya.”

Kuwento niya, “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.”

Ayon kay Elijah, bata pa lamang si JM ay napabilib na siya rito dahil sa achievements nito sa maraming mga bagay kung saan daig pa nito silang mga kuya niya.

Aniya, “Growing up, you always outshone kuya and I. At [four] years old, you already joined us on stage 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.”

Inisa-isa rin ni Elijah ang mga naging malalaking proyekto ni JM na hindi alam ng publiko.

“You weren't really formally trained in acting like us but, oh boy, did you excel whenever you're on stage or on screen (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). 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,” saad ni Elijah.

Humingi rin ng tawad si Elijah sa kapatid dahil pakiramdam niya ay marami siyang naging pagkukulang dito.

“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 f***ing 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,” madadaming mensahe ni Elijah.

Nagpapasalamat naman ang binatang aktor sa masasayang ala-ala na iniwan ni JM sa kaniya at sa kanilang buong pamilya.

Aniya, “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.”

Sa huling bahagi ng kaniyang liham para sa bunsong kapatid, nangako si Elijah na habang buhay niya itong aalalahanin at mamahalin.

“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.

“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.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elijah Canlas (@elijahcanlas)

Sa Instagram post ni Elijah, ibinahagi rin niya ang mga numerong maaaring tawagan nino man na nakaarranasa ng depression. Ito ay mga sumusunod:

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

Bukod sa pagiging voice actor sa ilang mga pelikula at series na Coco, Stranger Things, Home Alone, Extraction, Little Einsteins at maraming pang iba, napanood din si JM sa mga ilang sikat na indie films gaya ng Kiko Boksingero at ANi.

Si Elijah naman ay bumida kamakailan sa award-winning film na About Us But Not About Us kasama ang Unbreak My Heart actor na si Romnick Sarmenta. Ang nasabing pelikula ay isa sa mga entry sa first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. Dito ay naiuwi ni Elijah ang award na Special Jury Prize.