Elijah Canlas is set to lead the pilot episode of the comeback season of Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK), marking a significant full-circle moment in his career. The actor shared in an interview during a roundtable discussion in Quezon City that his last acting gig before the pandemic was for an MMK episode, which, unfortunately, never aired. “MMK, It was about Taal. We did the taping but it never got to air. So it is a full-circle moment for me,” Canlas recalled.
In the upcoming episode, Canlas will portray Sofronio Vasquez, the champion of The Voice season 26. The episode will chronicle the struggles Vasquez faced, both on and off the stage. Canlas revealed that his preparation for the role involved delving into Vasquez’s personality, often by watching his past live appearances, such as Kumu livestreams from before the pandemic.
While honored to have been handpicked by Vasquez himself for the role, Canlas admitted feeling the pressure, especially when it came to the challenge of singing in the character’s style. “Siya vocal coach ko,” Canlas shared with enthusiasm. “Before I accepted it, I asked if okay lang I can’t sing like him na biritero. When I read the script, may 2 songs, kinaya naman. Pumasok sa range.” Thanks to Vasquez’s guidance, Canlas was able to rise to the challenge and deliver the performance needed for the role.
The pilot episode of the comeback season is also a full-circle moment for Romnick Sarmenta, who was featured in the very first episode of the Philippines’ longest-running drama anthology. MMK host Charo Santos-Concio referred to Sarmenta as the show’s “lucky charm.” In the upcoming episode, Sarmenta returns to MMK, this time portraying the father of Sofronio Vasquez. Santos-Concio expressed gratitude for Sarmenta’s enduring presence on the show, saying, “Thank you for starting the series. And now the limited series, it is with you again.”
The limited series of MMK will return on April 24, available for streaming on iWantTFC. It will also be shown on A2Z, Kapamilya Online (Live), and Kapamilya Channel after 48 hours. Another celebrity teased to be featured this season is Sheena of the P-Pop group BINI, adding to the excitement for the new episodes.