By Eric Borromeo
Jeproks: The Musical feels like stepping into a smoky, neon-lit bar from the 70s and suddenly realizing the world outside hasn’t changed that much. Set to the iconic music of Mike Hanopol, the show doesn’t just replay hits or narrate life stories. Under the direction of Frannie Zamora, it throws us into the restless spirit of Pinoy rock—loud, flawed, hopeful, and always fighting back.
Jeproks: The Musical reminds us that the issues Pinoy rock once screamed about are still here, and the music is still a rallying cry.
From classics like Laki Sa Layaw to underrated tracks that deserve a second life, Hanopol’s songs are treated like living artifacts. They don’t just entertain—they remind us how music shaped our identity as a people. Older fans get a blast of youthful rebellion, while younger audiences discover the raw pulse of Pinoy rock for the first time. And as the music hits, the story deepens.
The musical follows three bandmates chasing their version of rock freedom while wrestling with friendship, family, ambition, and the harsh reality that dreams are expensive. David Ezra as Mico, Nino Alejandro as Paulo, and Jeffrey Hidalgo as Willi give the Sikatuna Band its beating, chaotic heart. The world around them expands with Geneva Cruz as Liwayway, the mystical Diwata of Rakenrol who pushes them toward destiny, and Jett Pangan as Tatay Paking, the stern father who refuses to believe music is a future. Together, these characters colorfully breathe life into the story—fierce, funny, and painfully human.
What makes the narrative even richer is how it mirrors the chaotic social climate of the 70s—an era of protests, inequality, and rebellion. Instead of sugarcoating, the show highlights how the struggles from that generation echo loudly today: living costs, power imbalances, censorship, and the constant battle to be heard. That connection anchors the production beyond nostalgia, proving that rock’s rage isn’t just for the history books—it’s still relevant, still fighting, still refusing to be silenced.
Which brings everything to a sharp, meaningful conclusion: Jeproks: The Musical doesn’t just look back—it calls us out. It reminds us that the issues Pinoy rock once screamed about are still here, and the music is still a rallying cry. Hanopol’s songs aren’t nostalgic relics; they’re a megaphone for the next generation of Filipinos who refuse to be silent. Rock on!
Jeproks: The Musical is brought to life by Tanghalang Una Obra and The Hammock Productions, Inc., in collaboration with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
You can still catch the show on these dates:
- Nov 25–28 — 7:30 PM (Evening shows)
- Nov 29 — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM (Grand Finale!)
📍 GSIS Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
🎟 Tickets available via TicketWorld — grab yours and don’t miss the beat!
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