‘Jeproks’ is a term coined in the 1970s to describe someone who is happy-go-lucky and rock-and-roll. Apart from these traits, David Ezra, Sheila Ferrer, and Jeffrey Hidalgo believe that practicing the art of ‘jeproks’-which will be revealed in the story of the upcoming musical with the same name-is about being politically aware as well.
Based on the music of rock legend Mike Hanopol, ‘Jeproks: The Musical’ tells the story of adults living in the 1970s with their own stories to tell. Since its storyline takes place in a turbulent time period, the cast said it is another opportunity for emphasizing why art will always be political.
”Yung role ko rito is an activist in the 1970s. Malayong-malayo siya sa’kin pero nakakatuwa at nakaka-inspire na ang story na ‘to ay magiging way to share ‘yung experiences ng mga tao noong time na ‘yun,’ Ferrer told reporters at a recent media gathering in Quezon City.
‘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,’ she continued.
(My role here is an activist in the 1970s. It’s very far from who I am in person but it makes me happy to tell an inspiring story like this. I hope it becomes a way to share what people experienced at the time. I believe that art is political even before. Art is used as a tool if you’re fighting for something. At the end of day, what is important is the truth and how it would help others.) Ezra, who will portray an aspiring singer, said it is an artist’s responsibility to use their art as a platform to inform the public. ‘Ipaalam mo rin sa kanila na this is just a device para magliyab, mag-research more, at maging citizen na present sa lahat ng nangyayari sa bansa.’
‘Hindi tama ‘yung mag-setup ka ng art para lang sa isang side,’ he continued. ‘Tingin ko sa isang piece of art, theater [play], musical, or kahit ano pa ‘yan, maganda na meron kang ilalagay politically just to ignite the fire in people, to start a conversation, hindi to judge someone.’
(You have to inform them that this is simply a device to keep the fire burning, research more, and be a citizen aware of what’s happening in his country. It’s not right to use art as something you can do on the side. For me, art, a theater play, musical, or whatever it is, it’s good to have something politically timely just to ignite the fire among people, start a conversation, and not to judge someone.)
Hidalgo, who jokingly hinted that director Frannie Zamora might’ve written his character as a biography, said in every political argument, it’s best ‘to present all sides’ and ‘to be fair.’
‘Hindi pwedeng pumanig sa isang side lang. The only side that we should be supportive is the truth and what’s right,’ he said. ‘Sa tingin ko, ‘yun lang naman ang palaging hindi magbabago. It’s really about opening your mind, listening, and knowing what’s right and what’s good.’
Why ‘Jeproks’ matters
Known for the songs ‘Laki Sa Layaw,’ ‘Mr. Kenkoy,’ and ‘Sa Bayan ni Juan,’ Mike Hanopol is a beloved name in Filipino rock. And there is no question that Ezra, Hidalgo, and Ferrer had a connection with his music, which they appreciated more during rehearsals.
‘Growing up, narinig na namin ang music niya. Kahit iba ang sensibilities ko, there is no denying that everyone knows the songs of Mike Hanopol. [Habang nagpe-prepare] ako, doon ko nakita ang genius ng writing niya,’ Hidalgo said. ‘It still transcends generations. Seeing how pati ‘yung mga songs niya, nasa script and material, ang galing. ‘Yung lyrics, relevant pa rin talaga.’
(We listened to his music while growing up. My sensibilities may be different, but there is no denying that everyone knows the songs of Mike Hanopol. While preparing, that’s when I saw the genius of his writing. It still transcends generations. Seeing how the songs seamlessly blended together with the script and material, it’s so good. The lyrics are still relevant today.) Ferrer said she still listens to rock music despite being a classically-trained singer. ‘Maganda rin siyang experience for me to grow as an artist. Ang ganda ng arrangement ng mga songs (It’s a good experience for me to grow as an artist. The arrangement of the songs are so nice).’
Explaining how she will bring her true self into her character, the actress said she would rather focus on using today’s political landscape to add authenticity into her portrayal.
‘Ire-relate ko sa nangyayari ngayon kasi sakto siya such as corruption. Affected tayong lahat bilang Pilipino and d’un ako huhugot in my portrayal. Ang ganda i-present niya ngayon kasi gan’un pa rin ang nangyayari,’ she said.
(I will relate my portrayal to what is happening now because it is very timely, such as our bout with corruption. All Filipinos are affected and that’s where I’ll focus on. It’s nice to present it in the theater because what’s happening right now back then is still happening now.) Meanwhile, Ezra hinted that one of the highlights of ‘Jeproks’ is how experimental and timely it is at the same time.
‘Ang maganda d’un is pwede akong mag-experiment or tanungin ko si Direk,’ he said of his preparation. ‘The material is very comedic, and meron ding drama. Ang daming pwedeng i-apply. Kami as actors, pwede naming dalhin ang buo naming sarili and then relate sa 1970s. Hindi siya madali pero malaking part siya ng ikagiginhawa ko kasi nakakarelate talaga ako.’
(What’s good is I can experiment or ask help from the director. The material is very comedic and it has elements of drama. You can apply a lot of things. As actors, you can bring yourself into your characters and use it to relate it to the 1970s. It’s not easy but what made it more relaxed for me is I can relate with my character.)
‘Jeproks: The Musical’ also stars Geneva Cruz, Nino Alejandro, and Jett Pangan. It will run from Nov. 20 to 23 and Nov. 27 to 29 at the GSIS Theater.