Ice Seguerra Speaks Up On Mental Health; Stays Away From Politics
Ice Seguerra expressed hope that his song “Wag Kang Aalis” would be able to help people as much as it helped him. “To the sufferer, I hope this song can bring you comfort during those times you feel alone,” he said.
Filipino singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra wrote and released the song “Wag Kang Aalis” (Don’t Leave), just in time for the celebration of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, hoping it could bring comfort to listeners who did not want to feel alone with their thoughts.
“This is very, very personal to me. I actually wrote the song and it’s my story. If you’re going through something, you can relate to this. When you’re in pain, sometimes you can’t really articulate your words, your feelings. This is what the song is all about,” he said.
Turning sensitive topics such depression and other mental health conditions into songs is not new to an artist like Seguerra. In a recent interview with OneNews.PH, he revealed he was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2003 and used that experience to fuel his songwriting.
“Sometimes we just need a listener. You just want someone to be there with you and give you their undivided attention. Cry for someone, someone who could give you comfort and company,” Suguerra said of the thought processes he went through when he wrote his latest song.
Seguerra was the famous child star of the late 1980s and the 1990s who transformed himself into a contemplative singer-songwriter. By all indications, the transition did not come easy for him, especially after spending almost his entire childhood in the public eye.
Like most people navigating the challenges of life, Seguerra admitted that he also struggled with mental health issues growing up. He credited music for giving him an outlet to express his thoughts and feelings about a lot of things.
Managing depression through music and meds
For Seguerra, becoming a musician has been a blessing. His music now serves as his platform to advocate for mental health awareness and he encourages other people to do the same instead of suffering in silence.
“We rarely talk about mental health and the situation will get worse if we don’t do something about it… It is important for us to have these awkward and uncomfortable conversations because these will help us heal,” he said.
Managing and handling depression has been equally challenging for Suguerra. What helps him get by, he said, is the strong support system that he has with his family and friends. Mental health professionals also play a great role in keeping his feelings in check.
“It doesn’t go away. You have good days and you have bad days. When I have good days, I’m living the moment. Being depressed is not just being sad. Akala kasi ng mga tao na kapag may depression ay malungkot (People thought when you have depression you are sad),” he said.
“Sometimes when I’m depressed, I don’t feel anything at all. I feel so numb. When I’m depressed, I can’t even sing my heart, I can’t write music, I can’t be creative, I can’t even get out of bed,” Seguerra explained.
Seguerra has been taking regular medications to manage his depression on the advice of his psychiatrist. He recommends seeking professional advice for people suffering from serious mental health conditions to break the stigma.
As the song was released, Seguerra revealed that when he was writing it, he put out everything that he could not say “when I am going through my episodes.”
“It was my hope that this song…will help people as much as it helped me. I cried the first time I sang it to my wife,” he said.
“To the sufferer, I hope this song can bring you comfort during those times you feel alone. When you're at your lowest and you feel like giving up, wait it out. Take it (one) day at a time, or if that's too much, take it (five minutes) at a time. Know that it will pass. Do not give up on life and don't be afraid to ask for help. It's (OK) to ask for help, Seguerra noted.
To the support person, Seguerra expressed hope that through this song, “you will know what we need when we are feeling down. We don't need much, we just need YOU. Your presence, your undivided attention. We need you to hear us out without any judgment.”
He said it “my deepest wish” to normalize mental health discussions especially within families.
“Yes, it will be uncomfortable, it will hurt...but it will also heal us. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat (Thank you everyone) it's my joy to share this song and my journey with all of you,” Seguerra added.
Staying away from politics
One thing that also helped Seguerra to keep his mental health in good shape was his decision to stay away from “toxic” Philippine politics. To recall, he was appointed as chairperson of the National Youth Commission by President Duterte in August 2016.
He and his wife, Liza Diño-Seguerra, supported the candidacy of Duterte during the 2016 presidential elections. Almost two years later, Ice resigned from his government position in 2018 citing personal reasons.
“I’m staying away from politics… My mental health cannot handle it. I need to find that balance na. It becomes toxic. Maraming nasisirang pagkakaibigan (So many friendships get destroyed), which I don’t understand why,” he said.
His wife, meanwhile, remains as chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. His father-in-law, Martin Diño, is also the incumbent undersecretary for Barangay Affairs of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Seguerra said he is happy to leave politics behind and stay in the entertainment industry instead. He is currently doing live shows for the Filipino community in America with other artists already based in the United States such as actress-comedian Rufa Mae Quinto.
Suguerra has been to California since August this year for a vacation and to do a series of shows. Being stuck in the Philippines for more than a year and doing concerts only virtually really hit him, he said, that’s why he feels so grateful to do in-person gigs in the US again.
“I can’t explain my happiness… When you’re a performer, it’s the exchange of energy that matters to you. When you do things online, you’re singing but, you know, there is still that wall. Unlike here, I see and feel their emotions. Napakasarap! (It’s a great feeling),” he said.
Ice Seguerra's "Wag Kang Aalis” is now streaming on iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube and Spotify under Universal Records.
