MANILA, Philippines—In a different kind of revolt, rock bands went on stage with award-winning thespians while veterans sang with newbies, to urge the voting public make informed choices in the upcoming 2010 presidential polls.

Using various forms of art to send their message across, a group of artists has launched “Artists Revolution: 365 days to change”, a campaign geared to help voters wisely choose the next chief executive and guard their votes.

In a rare performance, Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo of the APO Hiking Society, Ariel Rivera, Isay Alvarez, Bituin Escalante, among other popular singers, belted out songs with pop singer-songwriter artist Yeng Constantino and rockers like Kjwan and Radioactive Sago Project—to the delight of an audience that included National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, NBN whistleblower Jun Lozada, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casino and Gabriela Representative Liza Maza.

“We’ve been mulling this idea of making artists vanguards for change…and we thought that with the power of artists, we can fight cynicism and inspire people,” Paredes, one of the founders of Artists Revolution, told INQUIRER.net after the concert at the Music Museum.

“We’re just doing what we feel we should do. We would like the rest to get involved, especially politicians,” Garovillo added.

Mae Paner, who gained YouTube stardom as Juana Change, brought the house down with her satirical dialogues and in her videos shown at the concert, as she criticized corruption in government and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s grant of presidential pardon to high-profile convicts like former president Joseph Estrada, Romeo Jalosjos and Claudio Teehankee Jr.

“The joy is something that comes from inside of you,” Paner said of the experience performing for a cause. She added that she did not expect the audience would like her Juana Change series.

The concert also encouraged the youth to participate in the 2010 polls as world hip-hop dance champion Philippine All-stars bopped their way to the stage.

While Constantino—whose claim to fame is winning in the Pinoy Dream Academy two years ago—shared her experiences in growing up in slums and actually seeing voters selling their right to suffrage for a mere P150.

“Binigyan ako ng gift ni God at gagamitin ko yun para sa bayan,” said Constantino, who is among thousands of first time voters in the coming elections.

Percussionist and “drum warrior” Paul Zialcita, along with a dozen teenaged musicians, also wooed the crowd with an extraordinary performance using a five-gallon water bottle as their musical instrument.

Broadcast personality Lourd de Veyra led a poetry reading, rapper Miko Pepito did a number boasting of Filipino’s rich heritage and theatre actor Robert Sena paid homage to his countrymen through the song “This is the Moment,” among other performances from several other artists.

Leah Navarro, a convener of Black and White movement and who was also among the performers, said the artists who participated agreed to get only an honorarium instead of their usual high talent fees.

Paredes said they are hoping to do more concerts and explore other media such as movies and stills to urge the public initiate change.

“Our campaign will run for 365 days so expect more performances,” said Paredes.