Elijah Canlas turns badminton into a platform for mental health awareness
Actor-singer Elijah Canlas is organizing a badminton competition with The JM Canlas Badminton Cup 2025.
On Thursday, March 20, Elijah held an intimate gathering at Basta Cafe in Quezon City to promote the upcoming badminton cup, which he dedicates to his late brother.
The event will happen on March 29 and 30 at the Don Antonio Sports Center in Quezon City.
All proceeds will go to KULIT, The JM Canlas Organization, in support of his mental health advocacy.
Elijah shared that JM was a badminton player at La Salle Greenhills. He said he wanted to continue his brother's passion for the sport and help more people.
He expressed, "Yung mga people talagang walang chance to learn more about it, we aim to educate a lot of people about mental health. Not just adolescents, but also their parents, everybody in general."
Through this event, he hopes to continue raising mental health awareness and slowly break the stigma surrounding it.
"Sports is also therapy and makakatulong sa mental health. JM is very passionate about badminton and even mental health despite what happened," he added.
The actor revealed that he would be one of the celebrity players competing in the badminton cup.
Elijah is also set to release a full rap EP this summer, featuring previously released songs he wrote, including "Kilala Kita," "Asar Talo," and "Loved Song."
The first badminton event took place last year and is held annually.
Elijah's brother JM died on August 3, 2023. He was a former child actor and TV and theater actor.
If you know someone who has mental health concerns, you may call the crisis hotline of the National Center for Mental Health at 0917-899-USAP (8727) or (02) 7989-USAP (8727).
MEANWHILE, TAKE A LOOK AT THESE CELEBRITIES WHO OPENED UP ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES:
