In “Choosing,” Ice Seguerra and wife Liza Diño bring to the stage a deeply personal yet universally resonant story about love, transition, and the unspoken questions couples often face. The play, co-written and performed by the real-life couple, runs from June 6 to 15 at Ateneo de Manila University’s Doreen Black Box Theater.
Seguerra stars as Mitch, a trans man, opposite Diño’s Stella, a cisgender woman. The play dives into the emotional dynamics of their relationship, blending fictional storytelling with real-life struggles and triumphs. For Seguerra, the show represents a healing moment—one he hopes his younger self could’ve witnessed growing up without transgender role models.
Diño revealed that the idea for “Choosing” was born from her desire to act alongside her husband. With the help of renowned director Anton Juan, the couple developed a script rooted in raw, emotional honesty. “You’re playing for truth,” Juan told them, a mantra that shaped their performance.
About half of the play is drawn from real experiences, from early romantic milestones to fears they hadn’t even admitted to themselves. One line—“What if I don’t fit into the man you’re becoming?”—was especially difficult for Diño, as it echoed a deeply personal, unspoken fear.
“Choosing” speaks not only to the challenges queer couples face—like societal judgment and legal hurdles—but also to broader themes like change, grief, and resilience. Whether a partner is transitioning, moving abroad, or going through loss, the story reflects the tests any relationship might face.
Seguerra and Diño hope the play fosters empathy and understanding beyond labels. “It doesn’t preach,” Seguerra said. “It invites. It gets specific, and in doing so, becomes everyone’s story.”