Okay, I need to hear the April Boys’ audition piece of Elias. “Di kita ma-reach.” “Di kita makaya.” “Ano pa ba kaya ang gagawin ko?” That’s it. Your voice sounds so good even without any effects. Like it has its own synthesizer. After singing that, all of them was shocked. -Yes. -And then they all stood up. They all applauded me.

They told me that I will start with the band the next day. -That’s what my teacher told me. -Your teacher? -You see? The quiet one had the hidden talent. -“Tomorrow, you’ll start with the band.” A global talent. -See? -But I am not that great. -Hey, you are great. -I’m just yummy. But I am not good. No, but you are great.

You know where you are good at? You are great in getting out of poverty and for overcoming life’s challenges. That’s it. And that time, a lot of people are saying  “That kid will not go anywhere in life.” And I used their words as motivation to prove them wrong. So, this is me now. I tell that to them, “This is me now.” That’s right. What others say about you will not determine your future.

Just look at Elias and where he is right now. From North Cotabato to a concert in Dubai. -Yes. -That’s right. Okay, so what happens next after joining the band? When I joined the band, I was just a session member. -What songs do you sing that time? -I just jammed with them. I was singing Reggae songs that time.

-Reggae music. -Songs like? -Roots and Culture. -Wow. -Songs like that. -Okay, I need to hear songs from your band days. “Don’t you burn your bridges then behind you. My brethren, no.” “Don’t you burn your bridges them behind you.” -That’s it. -Wow! You sound so good. -That’s the song I used to sing that time.

-So you just listen to it and imitate it? -You’re so good. -Yes, I will imitate it. Your talent is different. -Because I didn’t have cellphone yet that time. -Right? I just listen to it on YouTube. And I have paper and pencil. I just wrote it down. -Oh. -Yes. I just listen to the song. So, here we are already. You joined the band. And the hidden talent of Elias came out.

When did you become viral? What happened when you did content? This only happened in 2024. Yes. It happened on February 11 at 12:00 midnight. -12:00 midnight. Okay, 12:00 midnight in 2024. -I will never forget it. -Yes. -Okay. I wasn’t really planning on doing contents that time. And I have these neighbors who were also content creators.

Vloggers. And we were drinking in our house. They told me, “Don’t waste your talent.” “Don’t waste your goofiness, use it instead and do vlogs.” That’s what they told me and I replied “I don’t want to post on Facebook.” “Because I feel shy and you know I am not handsome.” That’s what I told them. And they’re like, “It’s not about being handsome.

” “It’s all about content.” “Your charisma.” “What matters is what you do,” that’s what they told me. Wow, your friends are so kind. They really believe in you. Yes, that’s what they said. And then I said, “I don’t have a content. So how?” And during that time, there was a trend where you record yourself walking using a point five selfie camera.

The one where you point your camera like this. Oh, yes. -Like modeling. -Yes. Like you’re pointing your camera to yourself like this. Oh. -Just like that. -Oh. I did that the next day. Then I asked my partner, “Do you have a bra and sexy shorts?” Because during that time, it was trending. Wearing bra and sexy shorts.

And she said, “I have it here.” Then I told her, “Let me borrow those.” Then I put them on. And then I let my cousins join me that time. And then we were on the road. And after I posted it, it was my first post and it became viral already. It didn’t reach one million views but it was half a million views. Wow! And I was like, “It’s my first time having this number of views.

” And then I said, “Okay, I’ll continue this.” Then, the next day, my content was my daily life in the mountain. Whatever it is I do there. What I cook. Our daily food. And I left the band during that time. I took a break for 2 months. Because I was doing content and vlogs that time. And then it came to a point where I wanted to go back to singing.

And I also wanted to drink. -Ah. -Mhmm. You wanted to sing and drink, okay. I wanted to drink and sing. So, I told my partner, “Let’s go to Kidapawan City.” -Oh. -I said, “Let’s go to the bar.” When we got to the bar -it so happened that my band was also there, playing. -They were there. I was just drinking there.

My friend from the band told me “Elias, come and jam with us. Do a session with us.” “Just two songs will be fine.” I said, “Okay.” Then I asked him, “Can we sing ‘Modelong Charing’?” “Sure, we know that,” that’s what they said. I was swaying my hips as we played “Modelong Charing.” The audience must have been so amused.

-Yes, the audience were clapping. -They were clapping. They were laughing at me. And I told myself, “This seems nice.” So, I continued dancing. I didn’t realize that a lot of people were taking videos of me. During that time. And I also took a video. And then the next day, I saw the post of someone I know and the post went viral.

His post reached 2 million views. And when I posted my video, it reached 4 million views. And it came to the point where a lot of people were messaging me. “How much is your talent fee?” They want to get you to do a show? -Yes, they want to get me already. -Wow. But for Barangay events only. They would ask me, “How much is your talent fee?” What did you reply to that? “Huh? Talent fee?” “How much will I tell them?” Do you still remember how much? I told them my talent fee was P5,000.

-Oh? -It was 5,000 pesos since it’s for a birthday event only. It was just a birthday event. I told them I am okay with 5K. But I distributed that 5,000 to my band members. And then, as time goes on, more people book me. When they book you, do they go directly to you? Directly to me and to my bandmate. -So, the two of you decide on the schedule? -Yes, the two of us decide on the schedule.

-Ah. -During that time. There also came a time when we were in Surigao where I came up with this dance move. -This dance step. -Oh yes, how did you come up with that? I just thought of it. It was inspired by what I do with the rubber tree. Oh, so it all started with the rubber tree. So that was the inspiration.

-The rubber tree became my inspiration. -Okay. So, what did the rubber tree do to that dance step? Because you have to hold the rubber tree like this. Oh? And then you have to cut it sideways. Sideways and then downward. So, that’s what I did, and I was like, “What if I try this?” As if I was tapping a rubber tree.

And then I added this part. And then dance like this. And do a slapping gesture in the end like this. -Oh. -That’s it. I do that to many of our gigs. Every night. Which part? Is there a particular song? There is a song that goes like this -“Eh yeah yeah…” -Oh, I need to see it. I need to see it live in person.

This is how it goes. “Eh yeah yeah yeah.” That’s it. -That was it? -Yes, that was it. That’s it. That’s what I always do. -And then I’ll sway my hips like this. -Oh, there he goes. Yes. Yes. I just do it like that. And the crowd goes wild because of that? Yes and then when I do that and they see me– You sway your hips gracefully like a woman.

The way you sway your hips is so beautiful. And sometimes, I do this. Oh. Hello? Hello? You even sway your hips better than me. -Imagine he didn’t even take a dance lesson. -I was just… It’s all self taught. He just copies what he sees. Yes. -Pinoys’ talents are really amazing. -That’s all I do. And after maybe 2 weeks, I got myself a cellphone.

Then I went on TikTok. I was shocked to see my face as I was scrolling. And they were all doing this. They were all dancing my steps. They were all dancing, okay. Go. They were all like that. Then I told myself, “I will continue doing this as long as I make people happy.” That’s what I said because sometimes, I see an 85-year-old woman sitting in front, watching me so happily.

-While you dance? -She was really so happy. And when she touches me, she’s like, “Ahh!.” She was like that. She was looking at me like this. “Elias, you’re so yummy,” she’ll say that to me. -The 85-year-old lady told you that? -Yes. Oh my! And even the kids copy me. When you get famous, some people will support you.

Mhmm. And it’s inevitable to have people criticizing you. Yes, I have a lot of bashers. At first, they bash me with “That kid is so rude. What a disrespectful kid.” So, I told myself, “I will not listen to what the bashers are saying because they are not the ones feeding me.” And I don’t know them personally.

So, I just let them be. I just treat my bashers as my breakfast. -They are just breakfast. -Yes, just breakfast. Yes because now your schedule is very tight. You just went to Manila and did a lot of guestings. You had a lot of commitments and then tomorrow you’re off to Dubai. Was there a point where you feel exhausted? There is a time where I really feel exhausted.

So, what do you do when you feel that? I need to keep going. Because a lot of people are waiting for me. When I get up on stage, that exhaustion goes away. Because I see the people cheering for me. They are all smiling. Their cellphones are all ready. Imagine you reached that point where you have fans supporting you like that without going through the traditional way of being a celebrity.

-Right? -Yes, that’s true. It all started in social media. It all started in social media. So, you really are a social media sensation. Who is a performer that the people really love. They fully embrace you especially now that they know your story and what you have been through. You really deserve to experience a good life.

Actually while you were telling me your story earlier that you were 5 years old when you realized how hard life can be and now I also learned that your son is already 5 years old. Yes, my son is already 5 years old now. Apollo. So, when you see your son— When I see my son, I tell myself, “The reason why I persevere in life is because I don’t want him  to experience the hardships I have experienced before.

” I cannot bear to see my son struggling. That’s why I say, “I have to work hard for him not to experience a tough life.” If there is one thing you are to teach your son, what would it be? Respect. I will teach him respect. Respect the elders. And respect all people. If there is one thing you are grateful for, what is it? First of all, I am grateful to the Lord.

Because my prayers took years. But when your time comes, it will really happen. That’s why I am very thankful to the Lord that my mother finally came home. I was able to give what my father and mother wanted. And I was able to buy some things. You have managed to acquire some things. There are some already but I am very grateful.

And you have also found a partner. And my partner is also here. -Wow! -She is always with me. -Yes, she becomes one of the motivations. -Yes. -She uplifts you. -Sometimes, she’s the one to tell me, “You can do it.” “Don’t be afraid, you can do it.” “We can overcome it all.” How long have you been together? We are six years together.

We met each other during our senior year in high school. Up until college. Until now. -Wow! Going strong. -Yes. Amazing, isn’t it? I am also grateful to her because she’s very supportive. And also to my son. Apollo. Maybe God gave me this talent so I can make people happy. Yes, because you became an inspiration to the Filipinos that “Look at Elias, he seems to be having a lot of fun doing that. He’s enjoying it so much.

” “He really loves what he does.” That’s why people love you too. Because when they watch you, they are entertained and they forget their problems for a while. -Yeah. -Because you make them happy. That’s why it doesn’t matter if they’re young or old. I love them all. Whoever comes to me, I will talk to them.

Because I’ve been poor before. If ever there will come a time that the Lord will grant me something whoever I am before, I am still that person. Because my grandfather also told me that, “Whatever you have in life, don’t ever change who you are.” And love everyone, young or old. You should love them all equally.

Sometimes when I perform some people kiss me, it’s inevitable that they kiss me. -Girls? -Female fans. Where do they kiss you? -Here on the lips. Yes. -On the lips? Oh, no! You’re just like Elvis Presley. Elvis is like that, right? Fans kiss him on the lips. They kiss me on the lips. You don’t avoid it? I do. Ah, but sometimes it still happens.

Yes, sometimes our lips touch. Do you use your tongue? No, no tongue. Don’t use your tongue. How about your partner? I just told her that it’s just part of the job and I say sorry. “I hope you can understand.” -Your partner is so understanding. -Yes. At first, we really fought about it. -You were fighting. -We fought about it.

“Why were you kissing them?” -But we came to a point where— -So, what is your response when she says… “Why were you kissing them?” What was your explanation? “It’s nothing. It’s just work.” -That’s what I tell her. -“What if I punch you? What do you mean ‘work’?” Maybe we have reached the point where she understood that it’s just part of my job that’s why it’s all good now.

-The important thing is you don’t use your… -Yes, I will not use my tongue. Don’t let it get out. Put it behind your teeth like this. Because a lot of people get up on stage and asks “Can I have a kiss?” Why not here? There are people who kiss here but there are also people who kiss here. –

They’ll say… -Are there people who kiss here? A lot.  Because when they kiss me here…. I do this so they end up kissing me here. -They kiss me here. -Wherever their lips land. It’s all up to you. Wherever they can kiss you. Okay, so for this time let’s end our conversation with this one. Just pick a card. That will tell your future. Just kidding. There, you picked blue.

The question you chose is What trait do you wish you have? To be handsome. I want to be handsome. A lot of people want to kiss you on the lips already. -Oh my. -I want to be handsome. -That’s the trait I want. -Okay, if there is a face you want to have, whose is it? Daniel Padilla. There we go. That’s what I want.

What if you have Daniel’s face maybe you’ll use your tongue. Maybe if someone kiss you, you’ll be like… You know what you and Daniel have in common? Sex appeal. That’s what people tell me, “You have sex appeal.” I was like, “What is sex appeal?” It means you have charisma. Charisma. -Charisma. -“You have charisma.

” It’s because you are great in doing this. Let’s see it again. -Teach me. -Okay, I’ll teach it to you. Just like this. Sway it like that. And then, one, two, three. -In one… -And then, “Eh yeah yeah yeah…” Slap it! And then like this. That’s it. Thank you so much for watching today’s Toni Talks. And for more meaningful conversations like this don’t forget to like, share and subscribe.

Thank you so much.