By Jed Nykolle Harme

While art is typically a form of self-expression, this local artist slams the government’s response to Covid-19 pandemic by creating parody arts to mock certain political issues through his artistic creations. 

Jacob Cezar is a visual artist who creates parody arts. (Photo courtesy by Jacob Cezar’s Facebook Account.)


This Cavite-based visual artist Jacob Cezar geared towards using digital arts to call for a positive Covid-19 response from the government. He uses his artistic parody creations as a platform to raise social awareness. 
“Sinasalamin dapat ng sining kung anong nangyayari sa reyalidad sa malikhaing paraan,” Cezar said in an interview with Explained PH. 





Photos courtesy by Art Rally MNL Facebook Page


Cezar also said that as an artist, art should be an experience associated with responsibility to change communities while imparting knowledge in the arts. 

“Kapag ganitong panahon, halos lahat ng tao, art ang kailangan. Para sa entertainment nila. Yung iba naman, para sa ekspresyon ng mga sarili. Ganoon din sakin, ang sining ay gamot; para sa sarili at maaari din na para sa lipunan.”

As people rise to the challenge of the new normal life, Cezar said that art allows us to examine what it means to be human, to express and amplify voices and messages. It serves as an outlet in times of crisis and social injustices. He also added that art is an effective tool to disturb the comfortable. 



Photos courtesy by Art Rally MNL Facebook Page


“May halong sikolohiya ito. Gaya ng pakikipag-usap sa tao, ang sining ay isang paraan din ng komunikasyon. Kung nagbibingi-bingihan silang mga nang-aabuso, kung di na umuubra ang mga sigaw, sining yung unang pangkalampag sa tingin ko. Saka pulitikal naman lagi ito. Naniniwala ako rito.”

Kamiseta for a cause initiative by Art Rally MNL and Manilenyos Tees. (Photo courtesy by Art Rally MNL Facebook Page)


During the pandemic, Cezar also helped aiding the community through his parody designs. Together with his former organization Art Rally MNL and Manilenyos Tees, they initiated Kamiseta for a cause that helped jeepney drivers and students of the Dumagat tribe.

“Ang magamit ang art mo sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, walang katumbas na halaga. Masaya at magaan sa pakiramdam makatulong,” Cezar said. 





Parody designs by Jacob Cezar.

(Photo courtesy by Art Rally MNL Facebook Page)

Art has also a healing power in mental health therapy. Cezar also shared how making arts helped him to keep sane during these trying times of pandemic. 

“Gaya ng sabi ni Ginoong Vim Nadera, may kapangyarihan makapanggamot ang sining. Laking tulong nito sa akin lalo na sa lusog-isip ko. Bukod sa minsan na akong nakapagbenta ng art ko o kumita mula rito, iba talaga dulot nito sa katinuan ko. At alam kong ganun din sa ibang artista na kilala ko. Panterapeutika ito.”

Art will always be a form of self-expression. For Cezar, he will continue these artistic creations in raising awareness to the masses about social political issues — with or without pandemic.