Elijah Canlas is Edjop in upcoming film—but who is he?

‘Edjop: The Movie’ spotlights Atenean activist Edgar Jopson | Screencap from “Edjop: The Movie” teaser

It was the 1970s—a time when many Filipinos were silent and silenced. But amid the hushed tones and stifled dissent, there were some who refused to stay mum. One of them was youth activist Edgar Jopson, a.k.a. Edjop.

He was widely remembered as the young man who bravely confronted the then-president to make a written commitment to forgo a third term. It was a demand that earned him the ire of the authoritarian regime—leading Edjop to be dismissed as nothing more than a “grocer’s son.”

But beyond this description, who exactly was he? What made Edjop risk his life—and dedicate it to activism—instead of settling for a comfortable life of privilege and stability?

These are just some of the questions that the upcoming Filipino film “Edjop: The Movie” seemingly wants to address.

Isang Panalangin. ❤️🔥🇵🇭#EdjopTheMovie #OfficialTeaser1 pic.twitter.com/5BA6WUYaJY

— EDJOPTheMovie (@EdjopTheMovie) February 4, 2024

On Feb. 4, the team dropped a film teaser starring Asian Academy Creative Awards best actress Jodi Sta. Maria. She sheds tears while driving—with a montage of rallies, demonstrations, and Elijah Canlas (who plays Edjop) running forward being reflected in the car’s front door glass.

An excerpt of Edjop and his wife Joy’s audio recording (from underground) for their kids Noy and Joyette was also published.

Ano ang kaya mong isakripisyo para sa bayan? #Edjop #EdjopTheMovie pic.twitter.com/VnmrBXCirr

— EDJOPTheMovie (@EdjopTheMovie) January 22, 2024

Release date, distribution details, plus the complete cast list are still under wraps (we are sure that “GomBurZa” actor Cedrick Juan is joining, though) but here’s hoping that it makes several international film festival lineups.

For now, here are some things you must know about Edjop to prepare your minds and hearts for the (potentially) heavy watch.

An active student leader pre-martial law

In January 1970, Edjop was at the forefront of student-led protests—mainly to challenge the government’s oppressive policies. He was then summoned for a dialogue at the Malacañang Palace. 

The said meeting was also attended by other leaders, news reporters, and some government personnel, “intently listening and looking on while the young activist raised the demands of the students to Marcos himself.” But it only led “nowhere,” as per the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission.

He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a bachelor’s degree in management engineering—something that could’ve (easily) been his ticket to a lucrative job. Rather than pursuing a conventional career path, though, he chose to dedicate his life to fighting for societal reforms and advocating for the rights of the marginalized.

Edjop also became a prominent figure in the Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions, where he learned to become more radical. He then decided to join the underground movement before being “arrested and tortured” in 1979 and “executed for refusing to cooperate” in 1982.