Christmas came early for residents of Brgy. Tatalon in Quezon City as singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra brought them joy through music recently.
It is a first for Ice who admittedly didn’t have the chance to try the timeless tradition.
How can he?
He practically grew up in front of the limelight. He couldn’t even go out on the street to play with kids his age.
Ice related, “I remember, para makapaglaro ako kasama ng ibang bata sa lugar namin, pinasasara ‘yung buong kalsada tapos may mga tanod na nagbabantay sa magkabilang dulo.”
Needless to say, there were many other things Ice never got to experience.
Among them, Christmas caroling.
“Maaga kasi akong nag-artista so never ko inabot ‘yung opportunity na makapag-caroling ng random house, as in walk house to house. Kaya gusto ko talaga gawin.”
When the opportunity presented itself, Ice didn’t have to be told twice.
Among those he sang to at Brgy. Tatalon were elderlies Golden Alquiza, Fe Ocheada, Simplicia Cunanan, Erlinda Sese, and Isabel Angeles.
Ice came to their homes unannounced bringing in some holiday cheers through music.
of course, they were all surprised to see the now celebrated singer-songwriter in front of their homes, singing to them no less.
Ice’s first stop was Mang Golden who has been living by himself after his wife left him. He has two kids whom according to him, do not visit. He figured in an accident which left him physically handicapped yet he continues to work as parking attendant so he can buy food and medicine.
At 63, Mang Golden misses his family dearly but seeing Ice on his front steps brought him joy.
“Masaya ako na nadalaw niya ako. Naalala ko ang mga anak ko sa kanya,” he said.
Next on the Ice’s list was stroke patient Fe who earns her keep by making rugs. She has two grandchildren and a breast cancer survivor niece living with her who provide help with everyday house chores.
The 71-year-old widow said, “Napapanood ko lang siya sa TV dati, ngayon may dala pang regalo na prutas at gamot.”
Simplicia cried tears of joy when she caught sight of the “Pagdating ng Panahon” hitmaker standing outside her house.
Also a stroke patient, life has been quite hard for the 76-year-old widow who still takes care of her 39-year-old son with cerebral palsy. She gets help from her other son for their daily needs.
“Hindi ko inaasahan na si Ice ang masisilayan ko paglabas. Sobrang saya ko.”
60-year-old Erlinda immediately hugged Ice as she saw him walking towards her house. She just lost two loved ones October of this year, her husband and son. Despite such heart-wrenching tragedy, she graciously received the singer with open arms.
90-year-old Isabel who, at her age, still takes care of her child with disability was Ice’s last stop.
Isabel’s other kids already have their own families and are also struggling to make ends meet. Lola Isabel earns money by collecting plastics that she can sell in junk shops.
It was a truly unforgettable evening for them but more so for Ice.
He said, “Happy ako na napuntahan ko sila kasi malambot talaga ang puso ko sa mga matatanda… I see my parents in them and I wish now that they are in their twilight years, sana they could rest and enjoy life, yung tipong nagwawalis na lang sila sa harap ng bahay or nagha-hardin.”
Ice also shared that the experience gave a whole new meaning to Christmas caroling for him.
“My job is to sing and when you’re younger, you do it for the money. Kahit magkano, kahit barya-baya. But now, singing for people and making them happy… singing for one person and this person probably needs it the most at that particular time, it gives me purpose.”
He added, “I’m not really big on giving gifts and I don’t know why. But what I can give is my time and the talent that was given to me. I can share it with people and these people, sila ‘yung mga hindi nakakapanood ng gigs. Sila ‘yung mga hindi na makalabas, so it’s nice that I can bring it to them, mas nagiging purposeful ‘yung trabaho ko.”
Prior to the night’s engagement, Ice was recuperating from cough and colds aggravated by asthma attack.
He took it as a blessing that he partnered with Solmux Advance, an upgraded solution to the popular cough brand of leading health care company Unilab, Inc., for the activity as he was able to recover from his cough immediately and prevented it from worsening.
Despite being visibly worn out as the activity drew to a close, Ice is just over the moon.
“I am tired but I am happy because it’s all worth it.”
Ultimately, Ice hopes to be able to do it as a yearly activity.
“I know the power of music, what it can do. And if I could make someone smile at least for a few minutes, and every time they look back on that specific moment kahit ano pa ‘yung pinagdadaanan nila for the day, that’s it for me.”
