AIZA (or later to be known as) Ice Seguerra is as much a part of the childhood of Filipinos born in the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s as are “Care Bears,” “Cabbage Patch Kids,” “Transformers” and “HeMan: Masters of the Universe.“For this generation, Seguerra was the biggest child star who would daily steal the legendary noontime show, “Eat Bulaga,”

just by being herself.

It was in 1987 that comedy princes Tito, Vic and Joey discovered a gem of a comedian in the three-year-old Aiza — “Mommy Caring’s” miracle menopause baby — who emerged as the true winner of the iconic Little Miss Philippines pageant even sans the title and crown.

Adorably sharp-witted yet very relatable to kids watching from home, Seguerra’s runner-up finish immediately turned her into the youngest mainstay of the six-days-a-week TV phenomenon. Young and old doted on this be-ribboned child wonder, who was certainly nothing like the mestiza token child actors who flit, float and fade in showbiz time after time.

Seguerra — who could hold her own in bantering with Tito, Vic and Joey; come up with a poem “makata style” on the spot; and create a dance craze by making like a duck — was certainly for keeps in the industry.

And indeed, her myriad talents saw her star rocketing to the sky, as impressively documented in her child star stats. Seguerra has appeared in more than 30 movies and TV shows, the most famous of which is the “OK Ka, Fairy Ko” franchise of hit sitcoms and blockbuster movies. OK, ka endeared Seguerra all the more to the public as the “makulit” Aiza Kabisote, daughter to her favorite Tito Vic Sotto’s iconic Enteng Kabisote.

Making three to four blockbuster movies a year till she was 10 years old — not to forget, on top of Eat Bulaga and the OK Ka sitcom — puberty rudely interrupted the child star’s incredible momentum.

Calling it the “awkward stage,” Seguerra’s travails with adolescence were, of course, compounded with a compelling need to find her true identity and ultimately come to terms with her sexuality.

Not knowing life without the bright and colorful lights of show business, the hustle and bustle of the daily grind and who she really is outside Eat Bulaga and the pamilya Kabisote, Seguerra discovered her authentic self to be the opposite of the little chatbox with ribbons on her hair. She realized she was actually an introvert who felt more comfortable away from the crowds. She also accepted that she was a lesbian who could not come out because she needed work.

Looking back, the naturally self-deprecating Seguerra likes to say, “Yun yung time na pinipilit ko pang magka-love team para lang magka-career!”

Still an artist in every way, beyond age or gender, college saw her taking up industrial design and, more importantly, finally finding her raison d’etre and saving grace in music.

“I never even saw myself as a musician. That’s why I’m so grateful to Tito Vic for teaching me to play the guitar and my mom for always pushing me to never give up.”

The now OPM classic “Pagdating ng Pahanon” became the turning point of Seguerra’s career and her life in general.

She actually thought nothing of the Moy Ortiz and Edith Gallardo genius of a composition at the time. She was almost at the point of admitting her career was over — more painfully felt when expressed in Filipino as “laos” — and just went through the motions of trying out whatever project was offered to her just in case.

“Noong ginawa ko yung demo, walang ka feelfeel, nothing. Wala akong light bulb moment na parang ito na yata ang simula ng bagong career. Nothing.

“Kinabukasan, bumalik ako ng studio to record it at sabi sa akin: ‘Alright Aiza meron na tayong single, meron na tayong album title, meron na tayong ganito ganiyan.’

“’Huh?’ Ganoon yung reaction ko. Talaga ba? Kasi, Nandoon na ako sa ayaw ko nang umasa. Ayaw ko umasa na magiging hit or anything. If

gusto niyo gawin ko to then gagawin ko, I will still do my best pero ‘sige.’

“So finally nilabas siya and naalala ko I was in my room gumagawa ng plates for school tapos doon ako first time kinilig. My God, may kanta na ako sa radyo!”

As most will remember, Pagdating ng Panahon became 2001’s biggest hit and a multiawarded single that quickly garnered gold and platinum status despite the height of pirated and bootleg copies.

Besides reviving her career, music eventually gave her the confidence to come out as a lesbian, first to her parents and then to the public. And because the now Ice Seguerra had been the much loved Aiza Seguerra who brought endless laughter into homes at the height of her comedic career, the now 39-year-old self-proclaimed transman was saved from any ruthless condemnation that closet celebrities generally endure when coming out.

Fast forward to the present, the year 2022, Ice Seguerra truly has so much to be grateful for as he continues to be the sought-after OPM artist that he is today; as his marriage to actress and Filipino film advocate Liza Diño goes from strength to strength; and as he promisingly begins a career in directing, all while singing himself through life’s ups and downs oh so passionately. Given these and a still colorful future ahead, it is only fitting for the artist to hold a grand concert celebrating his three and half decade milestone, which happens on October 15 at The Theater at Solaire at 8 p.m.

Titled “Becoming Ice,” the artist said of the upcoming concert, “35th-anniversary ko ito eh so it has to be meaningful kasi I will tell a story.”

Recalling his 25th-anniversary concert at The Araneta Coliseum, Seguerra noted, “It was good, malaki yung crowd. But this time, I chose Solaire because I want a concert that’s more intimate and personal. Becoming Ice is not just about the singing; it’s about being vulnerable and telling the story of who I am so even my guests have a deep connection with me.”

Going through the list, he continued, “If you ask me kung anong relevance sa akin ni Martin Niever, Gary Valenciano, Vic Sotto, ni Juris ng Sessionista Girls at ng Tres Marias, alam ko masasagot ko lahat yan kasi lahat sila, hindi ko lang basta naka-galingan sa katrabaho, but they impacted my life in such ways that I was changed. So I want to celebrate them as well because they’re a huge part of that’s becoming Ice. I am who I am now because of these people who I look up to and the public that has been so understanding and accepting of me.”

Becoming Ice is a production of Fire and Ice Media and Productions, Inc., which Seguerra co-owns with wife Liza Diño, in cooperation with Nathan Studios. Seguerra will likewise serve as stage director in collaboration with musical director Ivan Lee.

Tickets are still available at TicketWorld.