The Covid-19 pandemic scare may have shown the worst and the best of humanity. But for singer and Philippine Army reservist Ronnie Liang, it is during a crisis like this that he could best serve the country.
As a 2nd Lieutenant, Liang surprised everyone on the first week of community quarantine when he joined the army in ferrying of medical workers and other stranded passengers from the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City to Pandacan in Manila.
After his successful pinning ceremony as pilot last year, Ronnie graduated from military training at the Armor “Pambato” Division (AD) in Tarlac in February this year.
“I actually volunteered and started training in 2018. I said to myself I wanted to serve the country, to help in communities in times of need like this. Remember Marawi siege? That woke me up and I realized that I needed to be part of the country’s peacekeeping troop.”
With his BS education and pilot background, Ronnie took the Mechanized Infantry Operations Training (MIOT) Course to further equip his reservist competencies in addressing conventional and external threats. He said the rigorous course highlights battle drills, armored vehicle defensive driving, raid mission training, and lectures on enemy armored threats.
The actor received his black beret and mechanized patches as 2nd Lieutenant from Pambato Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Dauz. He said he intends to finish his commercial pilot course the soonest.
Music industry’s romantic balladeer has indeed come a long way from crooning his highly popular ditty, “Ngiti,” in 2007.
Prior to changing priorities, he has this devotion to romance music, singing sentimental ballads in many a live show including the popular Sunday’s TV variety show ASAP. He has had gigs in the islands and parts abroad performing with no less than the country’s Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo.
The singer, who shot to fame as a finalist in the first season of Pinoy Dream Academy in 2006, believes romantic songs never go out of style.
“You never get tired listening to them. They’re timeless. I want to be remembered for such songs,” he said.
While busy with his studies, he made sure his fans won’t miss him as Viva Records released his album, Ronnie Liang 12, with songs showcasing his love for romance and sentimental songs: “Tila,” “Ligaya” (a re-make from Eraserheads), “Yakap,” “Sa’yo Nalang Ako,” “Pakisabi na Lang” (The Company hit song) and a minus one (bonus track).
“My 5th studio album, Ronnie Liang 12 had actually reached more than 1 million downloads/streams online and has sold more than 4,000 CDs last year,” Ronnie said.
Prior to his military service, Ronnie was also promoting his collab song with Pop Star Royalty Sarah Geronimo titled “Liwanag,” available on Spotify and other digital music platforms.
However, the plan to produce new songs dedicated to his supporters this year has to be postponed. He was also part of the performers for PAGCOR Tour and is in the cast of an upcoming movie under Viva headlined by Bela Padilla and Marco Gumabao, both of which also got postponed due to the present global health crisis.
Like some artists, Ronnie did not stop exploring show business by just being a singer. He went on to star in several movies such as “Esoterika Maynila,” “Fan Girl, Fan Boy,” “100 Tula Para Kay Stella,” “Petmalu,” “Abay Babes” and the action packed thriller with an offbeat but remarkable role, which was released last year.
Know more about the singing pilot through this interview by Soundstrip.
Aside from your military and pilot duties, which is your priority now, singing or acting?
The trend nowadays for showbiz personalities is to be able to do both. We have to entertain our audience in many ways through acting, singing and maybe dancing too. Anyway, God’s given talents should be put to good use. So expect me doing them all. But I still have to get used to people telling or introducing me as a singer and an actor.
How do you juggle your time now especially you’re living your dream as a pilot?
Through proper time management plus my commitment to achieving my goal. I usually attend aviation school in the morning especially if I don’t have shows and tapings. Good thing the school is willing to adjust to any conflict with our classes. We always do makeup classes. I had finished ground schooling in like almost three months – 12 subjects and simulation.
How come becoming a pilot was your dream? Who influenced you to become one? Why not?
(Laughs) I remember I was in Grade 3 or 4, when I was about nine years old. I was helping my father clean the backyard when I saw an airplane in the clear blue sky and I told my father that “to drive that plane is my dream.” I couldn’t forget his reply that my dream was very hard to accomplish due to financial issues. We were not that financially okay at that time. But I know in my heart at that very moment that I will become a pilot someday.
What are your immediate plans once you become a pilot?
I will shoot my first music video as a pilot. And then, in God’s will, I will finish all the necessary requirements for commercial pilot and try my luck on commercial airlines. Then maybe I can sing to the passengers on board my flight. As early now, some people are already calling me the singing pilot. And I love it!
What is your long-term plan for your career?
If it’s God’s will, I will still continue my career as an actor and singer and at the same time as a pilot for a commercial airline. I believe I can do both – being in showbiz and flying out my planes.
Do you have a message for your fans?
2019 was such a good year for me. Super blessed talaga kaya thankful talaga sa Viva family and to my supporters. I will continue making music. And will always find time to manage everything from being a pilot to being a 2nd Lt. Ngayon, mas lumalim talaga ‘yung pagmamahal ko sa bayan natin. I’m encouraging the youth to join the army and promote ROTC. Let’s all help each other.