No matter how busy she is, Aiza Seguerra’s to-do list always includes time for loved ones. So even if her schedule is bursting at the seams with taping for the romantic-comedy “Be Careful With My Heart” and the upcoming Atlantis Production version of Disney’s “Aladdin” (Nov. 16 to Dec. 9 at Meralco Theater), the singer-actress makes sure she clears her calendar for dinner dates with family and her source of inspiration.
Aiza is not saying outright if that wellspring of inspiration is Protégé singing champion Krizza Neri. Aiza fears things can get out of hand once she opens her mouth to speak.
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“Whatever I have, sa akin na lang yon,” Aiza tells the press. “Na burn na ako the last time (referring to her breakup with Chen Sarte). Pati ibang tao, sumawsaw. I don’t want that to happen anymore. If you see us outside, going out, that’s fine. Hindi ko tinatago ang relationship. This is my relationship, not other people’s. I’m happy. Hanggang doon na lang ang makukuha ninyo sa akin.”
That sounds more like a warning than anything else. And you know Aiza means business.
Krizza Neri and Aiza Seguerra (NPPA Images)Three wishes
But this doesn’t keep her from revealing the three wishes she would like to ask a genie (the role she plays in Aladdin) should one emerge from a magic lamp.
“First, gusto kong tumangkad. Tapos, gusto kong kumain ng hindi tumataba. At third, gusto kong maging kamag-anak si Jamie Zobel de Ayala.”
Aiza is poker-faced, her eyes unblinking. She means every word she says. And you realize that even artists with 25 years in the business like hers, can’t have it all.
The former child star is not losing sleep over this, though. She’s already losing sleep because of work.
“Next week na ang technical rehearsal ng Aladdin,” she says. “So gabi hanggang madaling araw or umaga na ang taping, tapos diretso na sa rehearsals. Medyo patayan lang.”
Busy, therefore, is an understatement for her these days. But you won’t hear her complain. After all, years of theater work have taught Aiza to love the discipline it gives her.
“Dati, gumagawa ako ng one theater production a year. This year, dalawa na (she was in 'Rock of Ages' months back). Wala ito sa plano ko. But I won’t be here if I’m not enjoying it.”
Aiza’s genie is “playful and maloko.” The genie also does a few dance numbers to complement the songs. And therein lies the rub for Aiza.
“Doon ako nahirapan,” she admits. “Matagal na akong hindi sumasayaw. Sanay ako kumanta na nakaupo o nakatayo. Ngayon, back and forth ako sa stage. Nakakahingal.”
Aiza is enjoying a second wind in her career and she’s beside herself with joy.
“Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng chance na ito, kahit 25 years na sa industry.”
But nothing is perfect. The downside is she can’t enjoy her first love: singing. And she misses the no-holds-barred feeling it gives her.
“Miss ko yung malayang tugtugan sa gigs, yung kung anong pwede mong gawin relax lang. Yon ang downside sa pagiging artista ko. Yung singing nasa backseat na.”
That’s the price she has to pay for her busy schedule.
Meanwhile, Aiza can add that to her wish list too.
