Before millions danced to his viral reggae beats, Elias J TV was just a young man slicing rubber trees in the quiet fields of Magpet, North Cotabato. Today, heās one of the most recognizable social media stars in the Philippinesāand his journey from obscurity to center stage is as dramatic as his dance moves.
But behind the fame, viral videos, and record-breaking crowds, thereās a deeper story of passion, family, prideāand controversy.
š“ From Rubber Sap to Rhythm: The Humble Origins of Elias J
Born May 11, 2000, Elias Lintucan Jr. grew up helping his father harvest latex from rubber trees. Little did he know, the rhythmic slashes of the knife would later inspire his now-famous ārubber tapā dance moves.
His father, also a singer, was his first mentor. The two would often sing while working on the farmātransforming backbreaking labor into bonding and music.
Years later, that same rhythm became his identity.
Though he earned a Criminology degree in 2023, Elias chose to pursue his bigger dream: music and performance. Today, heās not only a rising star, but also a proud partner to Abigail āAbbyā Cariquitan and a father to their young son, Apollo.
š¶ Going Viral: Kalumad Band and the Power of TikTok
Eliasās rise to fame was no accident. His Facebook page, Elias J TV, began gaining traction with emotional livestreams and slice-of-life content from Mindanao.
But the real breakthrough came when he introduced Kalumad Band, blending reggae rhythms with his natural charisma and raw energy on stage. Audiences were drawn in by his unique style, especially his movement inspired by his childhood workārubber tapping turned into dance.
His rendition of āBoliviaz Riddimā became a viral hit, amassing over 5 million views. His fanbase exploded, reaching the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Today, he has over 6 million followers on Facebookāand counting.
šø Success, Bookings, and a Storm of Controversies
With popularity came high demandāand skyrocketing fees. From modest ā±75,000āā±85,000 per show, Elias’s rates rose to:
ā±200,000 in Mindanao
ā±300,000 in the Visayas
ā±450,000 in Luzon
While fans cheered, smaller local organizers struggled. Problems began when Elias missed paid appearances in Davao Oriental and Bohol, citing canceled flights and high travel expenses. Some local officials expressed frustration and hinted at possible legal actions due to broken contracts and suspected misuse of fundraising.
Social media lit up with criticism, with some calling him āunprofessionalā while others came to his defense. The controversy deepened when his close relationship with manager Beverly Labad-labad sparked romantic rumorsāfueling even more online gossip.
Elias quickly addressed the speculation, stating:
āWhat I have with Maāam Beverly is purely professional. My heart belongs to Abby and our son, Apollo.ā
His emotional online post asked fans to stop spreading harmful narratives, as it was affecting his familyās peace.
āļø From Local Hero to Global Act: The U.S. Tour
Despite the storms, Eliasās momentum is stronger than ever.
This September 2025, Elias and Kalumad Band will launch their first-ever U.S. tour, with stops in:
Waikoloa & Maui (Hawaiāi)
San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Redwood City (California)
Houston (Texas)
Far beyond a performance, the tour is pitched as a cultural bridge, bringing the Mindanaoan experience to the global Filipino community.
š§ Beyond the Spotlight: His Legacy in the Making
What makes Elias J TV stand out isnāt just his rhythmāitās his authenticity.
Heās not just dancing. Heās telling a storyāof a boy from the farms who never gave up on music. Of a father trying to make his son proud. Of a Filipino who carries his tribe and roots with him, even on the biggest stage.
āI donāt want the youth to be ashamed of their culture,ā Elias once said.
āI want them to be proud, to know that they can make it, too.ā
š The Takeaway: What Elias J TV Teaches Us
Authenticity Wins: His rise proves that stories rooted in truth resonate the loudest.
Cultural Pride Matters: Elias uplifts the identity of indigenous and rural communities.
Mistakes Can Be Lessons: Controversies show the need for stronger managementābut also growth.
The World Is Watching: His U.S. tour marks a new era in Filipino reggae and indie music.
š Final Note
From slicing rubber trees in silence to commanding global stages with fire and soul, Elias J TVās journey is one for the books.
His story is still being writtenābut one thing is certain:
Heās no longer just a viral sensation. Heās a voice of a generation.
Stay tuned. The real rhythm has only just begun.