'No longer afraid to fail': Ice Seguerra bares soul in his first all-original album, 'Being Ice' after a decade
In Being Ice, Ice Seguerra's first all-original, self-penned album, the OPM hitmaker breaks down his walls and gets more vulnerable than ever.
"Lahat tayo ay may craving to be accepted for who we are kahit sino ka pa, gusto natin matanggap tayo ng taong mahal natin, gusto natin masabi sa taong mahal natin na mahal natin sila," he said in an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe during a media conference in Quezon City.
"Lahat 'yun pare-pareho tayo, pinagdadaanan, pinagdaanan o pwedeng pagdaanan, kahit sino. These songs are the mirror of all those stories."
It took a decade for Ice to release a new album after 2015's Araw Gabi with Ryan Cayabyab because of his fear of failure.
"For the longest time hindi ako naging matapang because I was afraid to share my thoughts, to share what I was feeling kasi I was afraid to fail," he said.
"I had to mature. It took me 10 years, or probably more, to mature, to accept if things don't go my way, ok lang, I can always move forward," he continued.
A 'mirror' of life
Being Ice, which consists of eight tracks, is a mirror of his life as well as the lives of the listeners, Seguerra said.
"Sa salamin na ito, nung sinulat ito, ito 'yung emosyon na lumalabas sakin, that's why nasulat ko siya. Kapag hinarap ko sa'yo ang salamin na ito, pwede iba 'yung makuha mo sa kanyang [idea], maaaring iba ang maisip mo, o maramdaman mo," he told L!fe.
"The songs are like that eh, it goes on and on. Lahat tayo dumating sa panahon na gusto natin na umasa mangyari 'yun, Iba't iba yung sitawasyon na pinanggagalingan natin."
Anino, which he describes as his coming-out letter to his fans, offers an intimate glimpse into his identity. Meanwhile, Shelter of the Broken narrates Seguerra's battle with depression, and Nandiyan Ka talks about his relationship with his late father, Decoroso "Dick" Seguerra, who passed away due to prostate cancer in 2020.
It also includes Ikaw Lang, Lost in Time, Ikaw Pala 'Yon, and Natapos Ang Lahat, to name a few.
When asked which songs he can relate to, Seguerra said it's Nandiyan Ka and Anino.
"To write Nandiyan Ka, I had to deal with many emotions, and I am not good at dealing with emotions, kaya nga kinakanta ko nalang eh, this song reminds me na 'I have to do it'"
"The second one is Anino, it may sound very different from the typical Ice Seguerra songs people would normally listen to. It's personal because it has a lot to do with my gender identity," he continued.
@philstarlife OPM icon Ice Seguerra performed "Nandiyan Ka" a deeply moving tribute to his late father, at his Grand Media Conference in Quezon City. The track, as well as "Shelter of the Broken," "Anino," and "'Wag Na Lang Pala,” are part of his latest all-original album, "Being Ice.” Seguerra is set to bring these heartfelt songs to life in his much-anticipated two-night concert, Bring Ice LIVE, happening on Sept. 12 and 13 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City. #entertainmentnewsph #celebritynewsph ♬ original sound - philstarlife
The Pagdating ng Panahon singer added, "Ang daming fears eh kasi sa work na'to umaasa ako na magustuhan ako ng tao, and of course, for people to like you, you have to be [the] exact person na gusto nila, but I am totally doing the opposite. I wrote that during the time that I was really afraid that if I came out and told people that I am trans, what would happen to my work."
Initially coming out as a lesbian in 2007, Seguerra also came out as a transgender man in 2014.
His newest album is more than just a musical comeback, but a testament to his artistry and growth.
"I admit that I wasn't as courageous as [I am] now…and whatever happens, [I'd] be very happy[,]" he said.
"Naniniwala ko na music transcends all genders, races, and if we remove all the labels [and] just focus on human experience and story, you will see that we are on the same, we laugh the same thing, we cry the same things, we dream about the same things, to be loved, to be accepted, whethere you're cisgender or transgender," he told L!fe.
Being Ice will be available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, starting Friday, August 8.
Ice is also set to hold a two-day concert to celebrate his birthday and his album on Sept. 12 and 13, 8 p.m., at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Tickets are now available at the Ticketworld website with price ranges from P2,575 (Bronze) to P8,755 (Platinum). Guest artists include Gary Valenciano, as well as Vic Sotto, who is joining on the second night.
Seguerra first appeared on television as Eat Bulaga's Little Miss Philippines winner. He then appeared in various films, including Enteng Kabisote, Singsing ni Lola, Bahay ni Lola, and Shake, Rattle and Roll, among others.
He also popularized other hit songs, including Pagdating ng Panahon, Akala Mo, I See You Lord, Para Lang Sayo, Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa, and many more.
