Seth Dungca keeps the music playing
Singer- composer’s inspiring single due April 3 on Spotify
DURING times of uncertainty such as now, people seek assurance and comfort. But try as we might, the pervading sense of hopelessness makes peace of mind seem elusive for most of us. Just imagine then what people with mental health issues are grappling with.
Twenty-four-year-old Seth Dungca understands this challenge as he pursues his advocacy on mental health in the different roles he plays — as singer-composer, special education teacher, model and actor.
As a singer-composer, for instance, Dungca strives to uplift people’s spirits through the sweet melody — and calming lyrics — of his songs. His debut single, “Halika” expresses his yearning to inspire and to cheer: “Sa mundong puno ng takot, na dilim angbumabalot,hahanapinnatinang liwanagsapilingngisa’tisa.”
The song is consistent with what Dungca says his “core” is — emotions. “I write about what I feel; I will never invalidate emotions. I want people to understand that mental health is real; you can’t keep going with the whole ‘huwag-mo-na-lang-isipiniyan mentality’ because if you keep something in without processing it, it will only get heavier and heavier,” he intones.
Dungca’s various arious roles in life have shaped him into the mental health ealth advocate that he is now. As a special ecial education teacher, her, he lives his truth uth every day — mahis making sure that his students know w that their emotions oare valid. .
“Being a special education teacher lets me write about emotions without the inclination aate to invalidate them. When dealing with students who h are overwhelmed h l db by their emotions, I stay with them until they feel better, instead of telling them not to cry,” he relates.
Dungca adds that being an actor helps as this allows him to feel and convey myriad emotions as he writes and composes his songs. son Singing, ing, for him, is “an outpouring of emotion e and a information fo — basically acting ac and teaching tea your message.” mes In fact, Dungca Dun d i scloses close that he wrote "Halika" when he was in a bad pl place — and wanted to flee. “The s song talks about me m trying to find solace by going into in some dream d world ld where h I could cry myself to sleep and wake up feeling a little better after my sadness.” Dungca hopes that people who hear “Halika” will also allow themselves to feel their emotions— to escape their everyday routines and go where their hearts may lead them.
Asked about his next goals, Dungca shares his dreams and thanks his mentor— award- winning director, producer, and Public Relations expert, Chris Cahilig. “I am in the process of writing more songs because I am blessed with a supportive mentor like Sir Chris. Call me crazy, but I plan on pursuing my childhood dream of having an album.”
And Dungca says he will continue to write about validating emotions until it becomes the norm. “I imagine a day when our response to someone saying is no longer
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