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In time for the observation of the International Day of Peace, actor Epy Quizon launched his advocacy program called MagkaisaPH on social media yesterday, September 21.

In an interview with the Voltes V: Legacy actor, he mentioned that this is his and his colleagues' way of helping "recalibrate the mindset toward communications."

Epy added, "Ginagamit namin yung kultura ng Pilipinas, ang ating mga awitin, ang ating mga pelilkula, towards a better understanding in terms of communication. Kumbaga, it's a place na good vibes lang ang ipinapakita namin. In a day and age na medyo magulo, maraming kinakabahan na, maraming galit, maraming kaaway, iba't ibang factions... Ito, it's a place where ipinapakita natin ang kultura ng mga Pilipino, sa arts and culture natin, kaya natin mag-unite and be proud again to be Filipino."

In line with this campaign, Epy's song "Lukso ng Dugo" will be launched on October 16.

According to the son of the late Comedy King Dolphy, "Lukso ng Dugo" was inspired during one of his visits to a war-torn province in Mindanao. The music was recorded later on during the height of Marawi siege in 2017.

The song features the voices of Gary Valenciano, Barbie Almalbis, Cookie Chua, Ebe Dancel, Jett Pangan, Ira Cruz, Karel Honasan, and many more.

The actor explained the delay of the release of "Lukso ng Dugo," "Actually, dapat kasi last year siya ilalabas, hinintay namin yung Bukal. Then, dumating ang pandemic, lalo siyang na-hold. I guess, this time around, talagang perfect timing na siya para ilabas and this is really the message of MagkaisaPH."

Bukal is Epy's directorial debut. The short film has won Best Director (Short Film), Best Foreign Film, and Best Ensemble Cast awards at the Cannes World Film Festival held last July 2021.

Epy said he and his colleague from Epyq Films and Local Sons Entertainment chose to launch MagkaisaPH campaign on Facebook and YouTube to reach a wider audience.

"The idea is really to communicate through social media kasi lahat ng mga kabataan ngayon may mga cellphone, may mga Facebook, may mga YouTube. And ang goal lang talaga namin is to somehow reach out to these kids na may mga social media and tell them that war is not the answer.

"Kasi, ang report ng AFP ngayon, remember I worked with them with Bukal, the intel is they're recruiting, 13, 14, 15 years old. Sa pamilya nila nire-recruit, babayaran nila ng PhP70,000 in one go yung bata para sumali sa kung anumang faction sila. 'Tapos bibigyan ng sweldo na PhP10,000 a month. So, technically, binibili na nila yung bata, sa mga pamilya pa lang para humawak ng baril at barilin ang [mga sundalo] ng gobyerno.

"Technically, it's just really about what's happening in Mindanao and we are witnesses to what has happened to Marawi. I guess, we really need to communicate our message."

Meanwhile, due to the timing of its launch, people may think that Epy is planning to enter politics through MagkaisaPH.

The actor was quick to clarify that he doesn't have a political motive with this campaign, "Maski anong mangyari, hindi ako tatakbo ng pulitika. I will heed to my dad's footsteps... Ngayon pa lang, sasabihin ko na sa inyo, maski i-offer pa nila ako nang maraming-maraming salapi, I will not run for politics."

He further stressed, "This will be my stand. The MagkaisaPH will be my stand. As my voice, this will be my voice--to really mediate a common ground for everyone. Kumukha nito, halos lahat kaibigan ko ang tatakbo, lahat ng mga nagpaparamdam mga kaibigan ko. So, I will not be standing on one side but will mediate the common ground for everyone to have better communication. That's where I will be. Sabi nga ng tatay ko, madaling maging hari, pero we're born as jesters, so I will remain as a jester."

Epy was asked if he would be willing to give "Lukso ng Dugo" to be used as a campaign song for election.

He then revealed, "I was offered PhP30 million. I will not name who, but I was offered PhP30 million. I could've paid everyone, the artists, everyone, but I refused. Wala akong pera noon sa bangko, wala akong trabaho noong time na in-offer-an ako ng PhP30 million. Sabi ko nga, 'tapos na lahat ng problema namin noon, di ba? Napaisip ako, medyo nabulag ako ng mga two minutes."

Epy said he would still make the same decision even when offered a higher amount.

"I refused the PhP30 milllion, There's no amount anymore that can ano... Yun nga, sabi ko, I can make you another one, but not this one. This song is not owned by me anymore. This song is owned by all the artists who are part of it. All these people who are with me right now, owns it already," he concluded.

Meanwhile, here are local celebrities and some of the advocacies they are supporting: