Ronnie Liang finds time for his many passions

“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

With this view, Ronnie Liang proceeds to focus not just on being a singer but also follows more than one hobby and passion. In fact, by enumerating all his activities already makes obvious that downtime is pretty rare in his schedule.

Apart from his music career, Ronnie holds the rank of second lieutenant in the Philippine Army after he finished a training at the Army’s Armor “Pambato” Division. According to him, the Marawi Siege in 2017 made him realize that he wanted to volunteer for the Philippine Army as a reservist.

“Noong Marawi Siege, restricted ‘yung place kaya bawal talagang pumunta even if I wanted to. So, in one of my shows, there were army officers in the audience and I took the opportunity to show my intent to join,” he recounted to The STAR during a virtual one-on-one interview.

He added that it feels great to lend a helping hand to our kababayan. During the height of the pandemic, Ronnie was deployed to man checkpoints. He, too, was assigned to transport health workers to drop-off points and distribute food packs.

“I am happy being productive as an army reservist. It’s fulfilling to see someone happy because of what you do. Reward na sa akin ‘yung nakapagpa-saya sa kanila,” he declared. “Kinakantahan ko rin yung mga kababayan natin gaya nung pumunta ako sa Sulu.”

When not on ground duty and free from showbiz commitments, Ronnie is in Lingayen, Pangasinan for aeronautical training. He is already a licensed private pilot yet he still has to complete a number of flying hours as part of the requirement in the commercial pilot course he is taking up at Pilipinas Space and Aviation Academy, Inc.

“I (would) stay there for 10 days and I fly every day. Hopefully by 2022, makuha ko ‘yung commercial pilot license.  Dream No. 2 ko ‘yung mag-piloto. It took me a decade to realize my dream. I thank God for granting me this favor and for sending people who have been supporting me like my Viva family, sila Boss Vic (del Rosario), Ma’am Veronique (del Rosario) and Boss Vincent. I’m also thankful to Sing-Galing producers and TV5 president, Sir Robert Galang, for giving me this project in the Kapatid network as a hurado.”

Ronnie also devotes his time in pursuing a Master’s Degree at the Philippine Christian University. He is bent on finishing his Master’s Degree in Management major in National Security and Administration.

That’s why, his weekends are spent on answering his modules and reading materials sent to him online. “Then I submit my reports, reaction papers and exams online kaya okay rin and even before the pandemic, the school is offering these online courses. I’ll be graduating by July or August 2022.”

Ronnie also expressed appreciation to aviation school owners and the Army generals. “Sa Army talaga I went through the process – from submitting the requirements to undergoing training. Naiyak ako dun sa ginagawa namin na from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight training but it all the more fueled my passion to serve my fellow countrymen.”

Working with the men in uniform also paved the way for him to discover talented soldiers who excel in songwriting.

“Next year, around March, I will be releasing a full album with all-original songs, composed by the soldiers. Randy (Santiago) and I were able to choose 16 songs during the songwriting contest held at the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).

“The album also serves as a tribute to them. Ako ang kakanta and I rearranged the songs according to my (vocal) range and also, co-producer ako.”

Prior to working on the album, the balladeer has released a Christmas offering with his version of Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko, Sana Ngayong Pasko and Miss Kita Kung Christmas. “Aside from that, I also have an original song called Sa Paskong Darating, composed by Overseas Filipino Worker Joel Abad,” said Ronnie. “He’s a seaman whose composition is about his wish to be with his family. So, parang tribute na rin ito sa lahat ng OFWs na malayo sa pamilya ngayong Pasko.”

In spite of his many accomplishments and new endeavors, Ronnie is not one to forget his humble beginnings.

“Nagpapasalamat ako na hindi ako sumuko. I still remember what I went through from the time that I was auditioning in singing contests. I auditioned 300 times more or less.  Hanggang ngayon naaalala ko pa yung pinababa ako sa bus kasi wala akong pamasahe at mga panahon na wala akong makain. Lagi kong nagagamit yung mga experience na ‘yun to boost my morale whenever problems arise. My struggles also serve as reminders that life challenges are temporary. It’s important not to give up kung madapa man tayo,” said he, who rose to fame after winning second runner-up in Pinoy Dream Academy. Ronnie became even more popular with the OPM song Ngiti.