Ice Seguerra reveals why he resigned from National Youth Commission

Ice Seguerra opened up about why he resigned as chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC) in 2018.

On Thursday's episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," the singer-songwriter looked back on his time in public service.

"I was very idealistic in terms of public service. That's only the reason why I wanted to be part of NYC. I really wanted to serve," said Ice, who was appointed chair of the NYC in 2016 by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Regardless of political color ha. Kasi 'di ba 'yun 'yung trabaho ko eh. 'Di ba, 'pag pumasok ka sa gobyerno, dapat pagserbisyohan mo ang lahat, especially ako, young people lang ang constituency ko noon," he added.

Ice then revealed why he left the position.

"Number one, my mental health was greatly affected. Kasi I really thought I'd be able to serve but mahirap magserbisyo 'pag napapaligiran ka ng politics," he said.

"And I think ngayon unfortunately and matagal na, instead of public service, mas politics ang nangyayari sa paligid natin," Ice added. "Hindi ka makagawa ng isang bagay kasi may pulitikong hahadlang sa ‘yo na taliwas or whatever belief niya. Sana nga belief eh."

The King of Talk asked Ice and his fellow guest and singer, Sitti, about the role of music amid ongoing issues in the country.

The two artists said music is not just about entertainment.

"I think music, ito din 'yung paraan na masasabi natin 'yung nararamdaman natin," Ice said. "Kasi diba ang music, tama sa puso diretso 'yan eh, and I think 'yun 'yun. Sa panahon ngayon, lalabas din 'yung mga nararamdaman natin through these songs."

He said he wrote a song about societal issues titled "Lupang Pinangako" more than 10 years ago.

"Parang walang pinagbago. Kung ano 'yung nag-inspire sa akin, the frustrations I felt kaya ko nasulat 'yun—ganun pa rin?"

Sitti, meanwhile, said that she attended a songwriting camp in Dumaguete after Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and shared how she channels her feelings about the country's problems into her music.

"Bakit hindi tayo mas prepared? Bakit hindi tayo natututo?" the bossanova singer said. "Ilang bagyo tayo on the average, 30 plus, 40? And hindi prepared ang gobyerno. And lagi nalang nag-re-rest on resilience, sa mga private organizations."

"When I feel something so deeply, and I feel like wala akong magagawa about it, that's when I retreat into music. Hindi tama sabihin sa panahon ngayon na mag-e-escape tayo to music. This is not the time to just let things happen na wala kang gagawin," Sitti added. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA News