Aiza Seguerra: Having a baby, not NCCA post, her priority

AIZA Seguerra (left) and Liza Diño Photo by Arnold Almacen

Singer Aiza Seguerra, rumored to be President Rodrigo Duterte’s bet for the position of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) commissioner, said that while she would “not close the door on” the possibility of serving the people, this was not her priority.

Aiza’s presence at a recent NCCA sectoral consultation fueled speculations that she would be appointed commissioner. The singer, as well as her partner, actress Liza Diño, supported Duterte’s presidential campaign.

“I’d like to call Liza and me Digong’s bridges (in arts and culture). What we’re doing for him right now is simply consolidating whatever information that the agencies related to the NCCA are giving us. Once we are given the schedule to meet with him, we will submit our report,” she told the Inquirer.

Aiza said her and Diño’s priority is to have a baby via in vitro fertilization. “We’ve planned this long before Digong decided to run. We’ll be away for three months. I guess when Liza is already pregnant, we will no longer have problems, but the first three months will be very critical.”

Asked whether or not she would accept the position if offered to her, Aiza remained noncommittal. She said: “We’re not closing our doors. You never know. Digong has only begun his six-year term.”

However, Seguerra said that she hoped for the next NCCA head to “strengthen and broaden the agency’s influence. The goal should be to bring arts and culture to the grassroots level and, at the same time, to develop a film council that will effectively represent Philippine cinema abroad.”

She added: “Right now, Liza is trying to learn everything she can about the Korean film council. She said we could take up after it. We also want to be able to point out what we lack in terms of arts and culture. Hopefully, the NCCA can find allies in the Department of Education and all the LGUs (local government units).”