How videoke helped Ice Seguerra deal with singing ‘handicap’
Ice Seguerra will be the first to admit that he’s the type of singer who dislikes practicing.
Once an activity he loves starts to resemble a chore, he gradually loses interest. That’s why he has a hard time sticking to repetitive vocal exercises. Luckily, he found a vastly more enjoyable way to train and keep his voice in good condition—the good ol’ Filipino pastime that is videoke.
“I have to enjoy what I’m doing. I have a tendency to stop when it feels like a task. Kaya sa videoke ko dinadaan. I love it so much, I can do it for five hours straight,” the singer-songwriter told the Inquirer in a recent group interview.
Videoke has unwittingly helped him become a better music artist and live performer. It encouraged him to try songs and genres he usually doesn’t touch. More importantly, it improved his breathing, and compelled him to figure out ways to sing through his asthma.
“Once in a while, I get asthma attacks in the middle of a song. But when that happens while I’m doing videoke, I push myself and see how far I can go. It allows me to gauge my capability. It teaches me that if I approach a certain song in a particular way, I would be able to finish it,” the 40-year-old artist said.
Having to stop a performance onstage because of an asthma attack isn’t frustrating only for the crowd, but especially for him. But he knows how to deal with it now. “I don’t panic anymore because I know what I have to do to finish the song. After that, I take a puff of my medicine,” he said.
Ice has been dealing with the condition since he was 9. Having breathing problems that can strike at inopportune moments is bad enough for anyone. What more for those who sing for a living?
“It’s not ideal. But you really have no choice. I know it’s my handicap. So, it’s up to me to come up with ways to deal with it,” said Ice, who, unsurprisingly, owns a portable videoke machine that he brings with him just about everywhere.
A birthday with fans
It’s only fitting that his upcoming birthday concert is videoke-themed. “Ice Seguerra Videoke Hits: OPM Edition” will be held on Sept. 13 at the Music Museum. Mounted by Fire and Ice Entertainment, the show will have Ice performing songs that he usually picks in his personal videoke sessions. Of course, lyrics will be displayed onscreen so fans can sing along.
Other segments include “By Request with Ice, Please!,” where Ice will do songs voted on by the crowd. “Jam with Ice” will feature surprise collaborations with special guests. In “Ice-fied,” meanwhile, the singer will come up with new, unexpected arrangements and twists to well-loved videoke hits. Visit www.ticketworld.com.
Ice will turn 41 on the day of the show itself. He can’t ask for a better party. “Instead of just celebrating that day with my friends, I will do it with my fans. I don’t usually spend it with other people,” he said.
Aside from the show, Ice also aims to release later this year an all-original album—something that he had been putting on hold for the longest time. If there’s one thing he’s insecure about as a musician, it’s songwriting, he admitted.
“It’s the self-saboteur in me talking … The songs I write aren’t particularly hit material. They are personal, inspired by experiences and emotions from deep within. Once you put them out there, it’s bound to be critiqued by listeners. I wasn’t ready for that,” he said.
And he’s not about to stray away from his core just to score hits.
“I know myself very well. If I do something just because it’s popular or trendy, it will not sound good. And you will see if I’m not having a good time,” he said. “One thing I promised myself during my second wind (the release of his massive 2001 hit “Pagdating ng Panahon”) is that I don’t want to do anything that won’t make me happy and proud.”
This time, he’s ready. “I think I’m mature enough to handle whatever comments I might get about my songs. I’m also no longer too preoccupied with the idea of scoring another hit. I just want to share my music with the people. I have compiled 12 songs that I have written through the years,” he said.
More to give
The former child star has been in the industry for 37 years. That’s almost retiring age in the biz, he joked. Left to his own devices, he would have probably been leading a more relaxed lifestyle by now. But his wife, actor-producer Liza Diño, knows that Ice has more to give.
“My mother (Mommy Caring) used to be my biggest fan and harshest critic. Now, it’s Liza. She pushes me. I don’t know, perhaps she sees potential in me, something I can still offer. She has a lot of ideas. True enough, I often surprise myself when I’m able to do new things. But if I were alone, I would be sleeping every day,” he said, laughing.
In any case, Ice couldn’t be more grateful that he still gets to do what he loves most. “I’m just happy that I have maintained my fanbase, somehow, through the years. I even see younger ones in my shows,” he said. “That there are still many people who enjoy watching me after all these years is a blessing.”
