For decades, Ice Seguerra has been a fixture in the Philippine entertainment landscape. From the adorable child prodigy on Eat Bulaga! to the soulful voice behind countless OPM hits, Seguerra’s journey has been one of constant evolution. But this June, he’s set to unveil his most personal and profound transformation yet with the release of I Am ICE, his first-ever all-original album.
This milestone follows the triumphant Becoming Ice concert in 2022, a watershed moment that marked Seguerra’s return to the stage after a decade and celebrated his 35-year career. It was a declaration, a reclaiming of identity, and a prelude to something even more significant.
“It was my first time to use Ice Seguerra in a concert, and I admit it was a big risk,” Seguerra shares, his voice laced with a mix of vulnerability and triumph. “For 35 years, my fans have known me as Aiza. While I’ve come to a point where I don’t mind being called Aiza, it feels good to fully embrace my identity as a transman and know that even as Ice, they’re still there for me. That’s why I gained the courage to work on my first all-original album.
Imagine, I’ve been in the industry this long, and only now am I releasing all-original songs.”
This journey of self-discovery is mirrored in his music. Liza Diño, Seguerra’s wife and the CEO of Fire and Ice Music, sheds light on this artistic awakening. “From Becoming into Being,” she reflects, “I am so proud to witness Ice really embracing who he is, not just as a person but as an artist, musician, and songwriter.
He has always been insecure about his songwriting, but it’s such a big part of him.”
Diño reveals that Seguerra had long harbored a desire to showcase his own compositions, but labels were often drawn to his exceptional interpretations of other artists’ work. “It’s a gift to not only do justice to existing songs, at times even make them better,” she acknowledges. “That’s Ice, and that’s been his signature. But in this era of singer-songwriters, where artists release all-original tracks and feature one or two covers, I believe the timing is perfect.”
I Am Ice boasts 10 tracks, a testament to Seguerra’s growth as a songwriter. He collaborates with both established and emerging talents, and enlists the expertise of multi-awarded producer Jonathan Manalo. “It feels good to be working with Ice again,” Manalo says, “and to be entrusted to co-produce this first all-original album. Being part of this milestone and witnessing his evolution not just as a singer but as a songwriter is something I deeply treasure.”
Manalo’s return to Seguerra’s side brings a sense of nostalgia and creative synergy to the project. The album is a labor of love, produced by Fire and Ice Music, a company founded by Seguerra and Diño, and testament to their dedication to authentic artistry.
The recording process was organic and collaborative. Seguerra opted for live recording with his band, “The Pogi Boys,” allowing for improvisation and a genuine connection. “Sobrang ramdam ko ‘yung maturity as a band (I truly feel how the band has matured),” Seguerra enthuses.
“Ang sarap ng hingahan namin (We blend well together). I’m not the kind of artist who records with a click track, so it’s important to me that they know my style when I sing. Ang saya kanina kasi, collaboration talaga. And the feeling that hindi lang lyrics but pati ‘yung mismong music reflects who I am in every song (We were happy earlier. We blended well. It was not just in one song it was in the lyrics and the music — that reflect who I am).
Fans were given a glimpse of the album’s depth with a preview of “Shelter of the Broken” during the Love, Sessionistas concert.
The song, a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability, resonated deeply with the audience, further fueling anticipation for the full release.
To celebrate I Am Ice, Seguerra will headline I Am Ice: The Concert Experience in September 2025, promising an immersive journey through his musical evolution. With a career spanning decades, Seguerra’s latest offering signifies a bold new chapter. I Am Ice is more than just an album; it’s a declaration, an unveiling of the artist he was always meant to be. This June, OPM fans will witness Ice Seguerra truly come into his own.