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‘Jeproks’ cast members Jeffrey Hidalgo, Sheila Ferrer, and David Ezra meet the press. Josh Mercado

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Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760840361833image1.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>‘Jeproks’ cast members Jeffrey Hidalgo, Sheila Ferrer, and David Ezra meet the press. Josh Mercado</div>MANILA — While some people see art — such as cinema, theater, and television — as a way to escape the heavy news cycle about the present political climate, others grow more interested in it when it speaks to and exposes politics and injustices.Whatever perspective people take, what matters is that art has been a force to transport them to a place they have never been before, which is entertaining and out of touch, as well as to the actual universe, which is real and complicated.In other words, art can simply entertain or passionately speak out on causes.In an interview with ABS-CBN News, &quot;Jeproks&quot; cast members David Ezra, Sheila Ferrer, and Jeffrey Hidalgo discussed whether art and politics should coexist.Noting that it is the responsibility of artists to use their fame for good, Ezra stated, “Sa isang musical or sa isang play, sa isang piece of art, responsibility mo rin as an artist na imulat ‘yung audience mo. Pero in a way, ipaalam mo rin sa kanila na this is just a device para magliyab, mag-research more, at maging citizen na nagiging present sa lahat ng nangyayari sa bansa.”He added, “Hindi tama ‘yung mag-setup ka ng art para lang sa isang side. Ako, tingin ko sa isang piece of art, sa isang theater, play, musical, kahit ano pa ‘yan, maganda na mayroon kang ilalagay politically just to ignite the fire in people, to start conversation, [at] hindi to judge someone.”According to Ferrer, art always speaks the truth, telling ABS-CBN News, “Naniniwala ako [na] art is political. Even before naman talaga. Art is used as a tool kung may mga ipinaglalaban. Ang importante lang naman at the end of the day ay kung ano talaga ‘yung truth at kung paano makatutulong sa tao.”Hidalgo, whose face is rarely seen on stage but frequently appears on television and movies, believes that fairness is needed when presenting art to viewers.He told ABS-CBN News, “It’s always best to present all sides, both sides. Mas maganda na palaging maging fair tayo. Hindi puwedeng pumanig sa isang side lang. The only side that we should be supportive is the truth and what&#x27;s right. Sa tingin ko, ‘yun lang naman ang palaging hindi magbabago.”“So it&#x27;s really all about opening your minds, listening, and knowing what&#x27;s right, knowing what&#x27;s good,” added the seasoned actor.Their musical, &quot;Jeproks,&quot; inspired by the songs of Pinoy rock icon Mike Hanopol, portrays the soul of a generation amid a period of political and social upheaval, when music served as both rebellion and refuge in the 1970s.Ezra plays Mico, a passionate music lover determined to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician; Ferrer plays Paz, a fearless young activist who prioritizes country over love; and Hidalgo plays Willy, a hardworking breadwinner who invites Mico into their band but secretly cheats his fellow musicians to support his family.Tickets for &quot;Jeproks, The Musical,&quot; directed by Frannie Zamora, musically directed by Joed Balsamo, and produced by Tanghalang Una Obra and The Hammock Productions, Inc., are available at Ticket World and Ticket2Me. The show will run at the GSIS Theater on Roxas Boulevard from November 20 to 23 and November 27 to 29, with a live band accompanying all performances.

For the cast of ‘Jeproks: The Musical,’ art isn’t just for entertainment — it’s a powerful way to speak truth, spark dialogue, and move people toward awareness.

For the cast of ‘Jeproks: The Musical,’ art isn’t just for entertainment — it’s a powerful way to speak truth, spark dialogue, and move people toward awareness.

Art is political, says ‘Jeproks’ cast

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Art is political, says ‘Jeproks’ cast

Josh Mercado

Published Oct 19, 2025 10:34 AM PHT

Read More:

Jeproks The Musical

David Ezra

Jeffrey Hidalgo

Shiela Ferrer

theater

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