MANILA – Actor-rapper Bryan Lao, better known as “Smugglaz” released a music video for his new song “Piging (Imbitado ka!)” on Saturday, July 20.

In a press conference held at Holic Bar in Quezon City, Smugglaz, who celebrates his birthday on July 21, shared that “Piging” is a song about a celebration of life.

“Ito po ay kanta celebrating life syempre sa aking kaarawan at syempre celebration din ng journey ng isang Smugglaz. Kasama to sa lahat ng kasmahan ko, mga kasabayan at syempre lalong lalo na lahat ng mga sumusuporta akin dito kasama kayo sa Piging na to. Kaya nga sabi ko “Imbitado ka!” diba,” said Smugglaz.

“[P]arang bukod po sa birthday ko ginawa ko po tong kanta para maging soundtrack siya sa buhay din ng ibang tao. Kumbaga soundtrack nila pag nandyan na rin sila at pasasalamat dahil sa ang daming nangyari nandito pa rin sila still standing sa paglipas ng panahon maraming nagbabago, may mga kasamahan tayong nawawala, may mga pumapalit but still nandito pa rin tayo,” he added.

His brother, who died late June, was supposed to take part in the music video which is the reason why he left an empty seat for him at the “Piging” part of the music video.

READ: Smugglaz leaves empty chair for late brother on 'Piging' music video

Smugglaz also mentioned that they had to do the shoot during his brother's wake.

“Namatay po yung brother ko nung June 30 then nung nakaburol pa siya nakakschedule na po yung shoot namin so inayos ko muna sya sa paglalagakan nya then yung family ko (tapos) tinuloy pa rin namin yung shoot,” he said.

“After po ng shoot ko na yan inantay ko muaj sya malibing then naghanap kami ng mga bakanteng araw then nausog ng nausog kaya naano na namin July 15 na eh July 20 po ang launching so medyo gahol na gahol na pero sa awa ng Diyos po sa sobrang daming nangyari nagpapasalamat ako na ngayon nandito na ko,” he added.

Smugglaz similarly shared his experience about having to part ways with cast members in "Ang Probinsyano" and “Batang Quiapo," saying he's already immune due to the unpredictable deaths of characters.

“Sobrang nakakalungkot. Isa yan sa pinaka malungkot na part ng pagiging artista lalo na pag matagal kasi ako po actually bago pa sa 'Batang Quiapo' yung 6 years namin sa 'Ang Probinsyano' sobrang pag may nawawala na antagal mo na nakasama 2 o 3 years halos parang kayong magkaklase na nagkikita kayo sa classroom,” he said.

Meanwhile, he revealed that some of his "Batang Quiapo" co-stars like Coco Martin were invited to the event but had conflicts with the schedule.

“Actually invited po talaga sila nagkaron lang talaga ng taping that time kasi kami naman po talaga ay priority po ang taping,” he said.

“Talagang supportive po yan kung ano man mga kailangan ko sasabihin nun kapag may kailangan ka magsabi ka lang at nandyan naman ang mga tropa,” he also said.