Umaatikabong palakpakan ang natanggap ni Ice Seguerra nang ipalabas ang kanyang short documentary film na Dito Ka Lang sa screening na isinagawa recently sa Shangri-La Plaza.

Ang nasabing short film ay parte ng Healthy Pilipinas Short Film Festival na proyekto ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) at Department of Health (DOH) with the aim of promoting a healthier country.

Ang Dito Ka Lang ay film directorial debut ni Ice na matagal na palang pangarap ang maging direktor.

Sa nasabing short film ay ibinahagi ng singer ang kanyang journey bilang isang depressive person.

Ayon kay Ice, he has been battling depression for years now lalo na nga nitong pandemic.

“Siguro nu’ng 2020, I could say na it was really hard for me. ’Coz nawalan ako ng purpose sa buhay. I wasn’t earning, I wasn’t making music, nothing,” pahayag ni Ice before the screening started.

“And I’m just glad that my wife (Liza Diño, FDCP chairperson), she inspired me to write something, and sinabi lang is ‘make something that people that will make people understand what someone like me goes through.’ And ’eto po ‘yun,” dagdag niya.

True enough, kahit maikli lang ang pelikula, naipakita ni Ice ang hirap na dinaanan niya at kung paano rin siya sinuportahan ng kanyang asawa.

Nasa screening nga rin ang nanay ni Ice na si Mommy Caring na iyak nang iyak nang mapanood ang hindi birong pinagdaanan ng kanyang anak sa pakikipaglaban sa depresyon.

Meanwhile, aside from Ice, lima pang filmmakers from around the country and the regions were tapped to produce a film of not more than 17 minutes each presenting a different health issue.

The other five films were Ang Paboritong Pinggan ni Nanay by Carlo Enciso Catu; Child’s Play by Julienne Ilagan; Brand X by Keith Deligero; Llegada by Ryanne Murcia at Zurich Chan and Life On Moon by Sheron Dayoc

“Who would have thought that FDCP and DOH would champion together both of their advocacies in a way that is very relatable and very engaging to our audience?

“It’s amazing how being in lockdown has spurted creativity even in isolation. The film community stayed active with writing, story development, and preparing for the time that shoots and filming will be allowed again.

“We excitedly took this on as health has become a paramount concern for every person globally. It is the right time to harness the power of cinema and social media to communicate something relevant,” pahayag ni Chair Liza.