Epy Quizon: No political motivations behind MagkaisaPH

The newly-launched track and music video Lukso ng Dugo was offered P30 million by a political group to be used for an election campaign, songwriter Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon disclosed in a recent virtual call.

Lukso ng Dugo is part of Epy’s initiative MagkaisaPH, an advocacy to “create a community of respect and benevolence where we want to focus on and express Constructive Peace, Love and Happiness.”

“I will not name who but I was offered P30 million and it could have paid everyone — artists and all that. No. I refused,” said the award-winning actor and director.

“Wala akong pera nun sa banko. Wala akong trabaho nung time na yun. Tapos in-offer ako ng P30 million…Actually napaisip ako, medyo nabulag ako for two minutes,” added Epy.

But then, “Sabi ko, I can make you another one, but not this song. This song is not owned by me anymore. This song is owned by the artists who are part of it. Kumbaga, I’m just a representative for everyone who’s part of the movement now.”

Lukso ng Dugo was written by Epy with a special part written by Gloc 9 and arranged by Karel Honasan, Ira Cruz, Yosha Honasan, Micheal Alba and Nikko Rivera and produced by Arnold Buena of Hit Productions.

More than 30 Original Pilipino Music artists and celebrities have collaborated for the song including Gary Valenciano, Erik Santos, Rivermaya, Kyla, Symphony of Angels, Jett Pangan, Champ Lui Pio, Vince De Jesus, Ebe Dancel, Radha, Sud, Nyoy Volante, Barbie Almalbis, Ira Cruz, Cookie Chua, Kat Agarrado, Michael Alba, Iza Calzado, Bugoy, Yosha Honasan, Matteo Guidicelli, Gab Alipe, Karel, Bayang Barrios, Mike Swift, Nikko Rivera, Paolo Santos, Autotelic, Yeng Constantino, Nicole Asensio, and Gloc-9.

The countdown for the launch of Lukso ng Dugo music video began last Oct. 6 and it was posted on YouTube on Saturday.

Epy couldn’t help but recall how challenging it was to gather the artists at first. “The first two days talagang walang dumadating. But on the third day, they all arrived,” shared Epy.

He also thanked Karel and Ira who “really helped me pave the way to get to where the song is.”

The song and the short film Bukal, which are part of MagkaisaPH’s Phase 1 campaign, were inspired by the Marawi siege in 2017.

Epy was the Peace Ambassador of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process during the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III. It was his trip to Mindanao that motivated him to pursue such an advocacy.

“As in may nagpuputukan pa dun a week before nung pumunta kami. So dumating kami dun, nagfe-feeding kami. May nakita kaming bata na mga eight to nine years old. Pinag-usapan namin ni direk Malaya, sabi ko tingnan mo ‘tong mga bata na to, five years from now, dudukot ng baril yan. Puputukan tayo,” recounted Epy.

And that’s where it all started. On their flight back to Manila, they planned the initial steps on what they could do to communicate peace. “Tapos yun sumulat ako ng kanta, sumulat kami ng pelikula. And then it became a campaign — to communicate that war is not the answer. Maski magkaiba tayo ng partido, hindi natin kailangan mag-away. Kailangan natin mag-respetuhan,” stated Epy.

Bukal (Wellspring) is directed, written and produced by Epy about the conflict in Mindanao. They also launched their website portal www. magkaisaph.com last Sept. 21, during the International Day of Peace. Later on, when the pandemic tapers off, they plan to organize an arts and music festival.

The Phase 2 projects will be after the 2022 elections. “Kumbaga yung song lang na ‘to is to remind us na mage-eleksyon ha, wag tayong magpatayan. Wag tayong magbastusan. Kung yan yung magpartido, wag tayong magsiraan ng masakit. Wag tayong magmurahan ng nanay, pero pwede tayong mangampanya,” shared Epy.

He also made it clear that there are no political motivations behind this advocacy campaign and he has no plans of involving himself in politics.

He declared, “Kahit anong mangyari, hindi ako tatakbo ng politika. I will folllow my dad’s (the late comedy king Dolphy) footsteps to that and say, ngayon pa lang sasabihin ko na sa inyo maski anong mangyari, maski i-offer nila ako ng maraming maraming salapi, I will not run for politics.”

Epy offered that MagkaisaPH would be his stand. “This will be my voice. This is to really mediate a common ground for everyone. Halos lahat ng kaibigan ko tatakbo (this coming elections). I guess I’ll not be standing on one side but will mediate on the common ground for everyone to have a better communication.”

Quoting his dad, he said, “Madali maging hari pero we were born as jesters. So I will remain a jester.”

Epy’s half-brother Vandolph seeks reelection as councilor in the first district of Parañaque City in May 2022 polls.

Epy has two children — Alessandro, 26 (who also appeared in Bukal) and Mishael, 16.

All funds generated by the song Lukso ng Dugo will transparently be accounted for and donated to The Dolphy Aid Para Sa Pinoy Foundation to fund educational projects starting in the conflict areas of Mindanao.