Ronnie answers the call of duty

First, let’s give Ronnie Liang a round of applause (a standing ovation, if you may) for doing his duty as a frontliner, readily answering the call to service during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2nd Lt. Philippine Army Reservist, Ronnie is proving true to the pledge of serving the people. Unlike a soldier in times of war, this time Ronnie is fighting an invisible “enemy” side by side with his Philippine Army colleagues.

Ronnie took Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) subject in college that qualifies him as army reservist. Last February, he completed the Mechanized Infantry Operations Training (MIOT) Course under Army “Pambato” Division “to further equip our (the students) reservist competencies in addressing conventional and external threats.”

“The MIOT highlights battle drills, armored vehicle defensive driving, raid mission training, and lectures on enemy armored threats,” the singer-actor told The STAR in a phone interview after manning a checkpoint somewhere in Quezon City. “Last Feb., we were also trained how to drive a tank, fire a gun and in many other activities related to self-defense and defense of the country.”

As you can see, Ronnie is well-equipped for the challenge in the time of COVID-19.

“We are tasked to pick up nurses, doctors and medical personnel around Monumento (Caloocan City), and drive them to their respective workplaces like the Philippine Heart Center and then we bring them back once they’re done with their shifts. We’re out the whole day,” shared Ronnie. “We help in food packing for 6,000 to 10,000 families a day per barangay. And we also do checkpoint duty. The recent one was in McArthur Highway in Valenzuela City.”

And more.

Ronnie’s team also picks up relief goods donated by various private firms for frontliners, usually out of town.

“Recently, we went to Subic and Lipa City to pick up groceries and pillows (donations) for distribution in public hospitals, and some for my comrades on duty at the checkpoints.”

As soon as he gets home (living alone in a condo unit in Quezon City while his dad and siblings are separately home-quarantined in Pampanga), Ronnie observes the SOP: take off all his clothes (uniform, cap, shades, protective gear, shoes, etc.) and leave them by the door for later soaking and washing, and then take a long hot bath.

“I take 2,000 mg. vitamin C every day, plus an additional weekly dose of 10,000 mg. (with B-Complex, zinc and magnesium) administered via IV. It’s an immune system booster by Holistic Integrative Care Center. The Army is also taking it. Since I jog eight to 10 kilometers every day, I drink lots of water, about four galloons daily, taking three to four glasses every 20 minutes because I perspire a lot. That way, I expel excess vitamin C and retain only what my body needs.”

Incidentally, Ronnie is also a certified pilot having graduated from the APG (Asosiasi Pilot Garuda) International Aviation Academy in Subic, with 70 hours flying (a private plane) time to his credit and needing only 130 more hours to qualify for flying a commercial plane. In fact, he has already been planning to submit his resume to local airlines.

Asked why he reported for duty to help combat COVID-19, Ronnie said, “Ayoko ko po nang nakikinood o nakikibalita lang. I want to help and contribute and be part of the solution, so I volunteered. I sent a message to the headquarters asking them how I could help. Then, I received a message/call for various missions. I know it’s risky but I have to help and perform my duty for our country. I believe service is putting the interest of others first before your own without expecting anything in return.”

He added, “I also appeal to all. Let us unite against this common invisible enemy. Stay home, stay safe and stay healthy.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)