Aiza Seguerra

Cariza "Aiza" Yamson Seguerra (born 17 September 1983) is a Filipino actor, singer-songwriter and guitarist. After participating on Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines 1987 she became a child star starring in several movies and TV shows.^[1] Later in her teens, she pursued a career in music spawning her major hit single, Pagdating ng Panahon (When the Time Comes). Initially coming out as a lesbian in 2007, Seguerra now identifies herself as a transgender man.

On August 12, 2016, Seguerra was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Chairperson of the National Youth Commission.^[2]

Career

Seguerra first appeared as a three-year-old contestant of Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines. She subsequently became part of the show from 1987 to 1997.^[1]

As a child star, Seguerra appeared in more than 30 movies and TV shows to date. She often portrayed the role of actress and fellow Eat Bulaga! host Vic Sotto’s daughter in numerous films. He portrayed the role of Aiza Kabisote, daughter of Enteng Kabisote in Okey Ka Fairy Ko! from 1987 to 1997.^[1] She only appeared in six movies for Regal Films. At age 14, she competed in Bong Revilla's Invitational Shootfest '98, and has won several awards in the sport.^[3]

During her late teens, Seguerra began pursuing a career in music; singing and playing the guitar. Her single Pagdating ng Panahon became a major hit in 2001 and it enabled her to start a music career.

Seguerra won The Singing Bee on July 8, 2008^[4] after Rachel Alejandro gave up her throne as defending champion due to other engagements. She defeated her co-contestant singer Bituin Escalante. Seguerra won P1,040,000 for a second time on July 10, raising her total winnings now to P 2,080,000.^[5]

Seguerra also performed in Singapore for the Singapore Repertory Theatre presentation of the stage play "Avenue Q."

On January 7, 2013, Seguerra entered the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs contest as the interpreter for the song entry called "Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa", written by Jovinor Tan. She performed the song in the grand finals on February 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The song eventually finished in first place for Best P-pop Love Song thus rewarding the writer of the song with one million pesos in cash.^[6][7]

Personal life

Seguerra is the child of Decoroso "Dick" Seguerra (of Calauag, Quezon) and Caridad "Caring" Yamson-Seguerra (of Bicol Region).

She studied in Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center and later enrolled at the College of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Santo Tomas and acquired a college degree.^[8]

On August 18, 2007, Seguerra came out publicly as a lesbian.^[9] However, in August 2014, she came out as a transgender man.^[10]

In 2013, Seguerra, along with other local celebrities, came together to join the PETA campaign 'Free Mali', a campaign aimed to release Mali, an Asian elephant currently living at the Manila Zoo and the only captive elephant in the Philippines, due to the poor facilities and keepers to care for him. Seguerra spoke up saying that "Mali has been sentenced to a life of loneliness, misery and neglect. When people all around the world are calling for Mali to be freed, in light of the suffering he has endured at the hands of the Manila Zoo, the proposal to bring in more elephants to the zoo is outrageous. They would have to endure the same cramped, concrete conditions, lack of exercise and improper veterinary care as Mali has for the past 36 years."^[11]

On December 8, 2014, Seguerra married model and actress Liza Diño in California.^[12]

Filmography

Television

Other TV guestings

Movies

Discography

Awards

Theater

References

External links

• Aiza Seguerra at the Internet Movie Database