Ronnie Liang first captured the hearts of music-loving Filipinos with his smooth vocals and boy-next-door charm. More significantly, he earned fame in the entertainment industry with his timeless hit "Ngiti." But while he remains a beloved figure in OPM (Original Pilipino Music), his work as a soldier, philanthropist, and advocate has redefined him as a true servant of the Filipino people. His philanthropic efforts, including his work with various charities and his own foundation, have made a significant impact on the lives of many. Ronnie Liang's journey took him from singing on local stages to soaring in the skies as a licensed pilot, and eventually, to serving in the Philippine Army Reserve. COVER AND INSIDE BANNER PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA; ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM LIANG'S OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES Spending much of his career in singing competitions, variety shows, and occasional acting gigs, Liang has evolved from an entertainer into a figure of inspiration. However, his life is not just about fame but about perseverance and sacrifice. His journey thus far was not without its challenges. From his family's humble beginnings to his struggles as a working student, his challenges have only made his accomplishments more inspiring. During an interview at The Manila Times and The Manila Times TV's "Tribute to Soldiers" event, which was held in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on August 26 to celebrate National Heroes Day, Liang shared with The Sunday Times Magazine how he turned his life of hardships into one filled with song, service and worthy sacrifice. Early days Born the youngest of seven children in Angeles, Pampanga, Liang grew up in a low-income household where his parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet. His early life was a testament to the value of hard work, as he juggled multiple jobs to support himself and help out. As a working student, Liang balanced academics and part-time jobs, waiting tables at fast-food restaurants and working at a video rental shop to fund his education. To finish college, Liang (rightmost) had five to seven jobs to support his studies such as working in a video rental store here. When he decided to become a singer, he met countless rejections, yet his perseverance never wavered. "To tell you the truth, I auditioned more or less 300 times, and it was tough because I was a working student. I held seven jobs to support my studies. Whenever I had free time on the weekends, I would always find a way to travel to Manila to audition," Liang recalled. His determination paid off when he became a finalist on "Pinoy Dream Academy" (2006), a reality talent search show where he placed second runner-up to Yeng Constantino, who ultimately clinched the top spot. "Thank God I didn't stop trying because everything started to happen for me when I finally got into 'Pinoy Dream Academy. From there, I became a regular on musical variety shows, had guest appearances in TV dramas, joined world tours and concerts, and released albums." While Liang did not win the competition, his biggest victory emerged with his most famous song to date, "Ngiti." A heartfelt ballad that resonated deeply with audiences across the Philippines, the single became an instant hit, earning Liang a definitive place in OPM. "The success of 'Ngiti' changed everything for me. I still get bookings, shows, and endorsements because of that song. It was released in 2007, but up to now younger generations still know it. I believe it's a timeless song, and I'm grateful for the blessings it has brought me," Liang shared. Of winged dreams While best known as a singer, Liang is also proud that he realized his childhood dream of becoming a licensed pilot. "Ever since I was in Grade 4, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. I would look up at the sky and imagine myself flying," Liang reminisced. Never one to let go of his goals — be they to finish school or become a recording artist — Liang held tightly to his winged dreams so that once he was earning enough from singing, he immediately went to flying school. In 2019, Liang completed training at APG International Aviation Academy and earned his Private Pilot License by 2021. "I realized I wouldn't have my singing career for life. I knew I had to prepare for the future, and for me, that meant realizing my dream of becoming a pilot," he said. "I'm happy to say that I'm now working toward my commercial pilot license. I have about 60 hours of flight time left to get there." Call of duty With his music career on track and well on his way to becoming a bonafide commercial pilot, one would think Liang would happily have his hands full, enjoying the rewards of his achievements while putting in all his time to further succeed in his twin endeavors. But for the self-made man, it wasn't enough to see his family better off and himself thriving on his own. During the Marawi Siege in 2017, Liang was greatly affected by the loss of lives and the city's destruction, so he was moved to help end the armed conflict in any way he could. "During the Marawi Siege, I felt the urge to volunteer if only to serenade people at the evacuation center. However, I was informed that it was a restricted area and only military personnel could access it," Liang shared. On the advice of some army officers he met in one of his shows, he realized that the only way he could do something tangible for the war victims in Marawi was to join the army. In March 2022, Liang was promoted to First Lieutenant in the Philippine Army Reserve. "I told them then and there that I wanted to become a reservist," Liang declared. "They took me to Tarlac, and after completing the training, the pandemic lockdown happened and kept going from there." The shift from civilian life to adhering to strict military protocols was a shock for the entertainer, but it was an experience that transformed his every perspective. The military training Liang underwent allowed him to experience the deep significance of brotherhood and selfless service, marking a significant turning point in his life. It was during this time that he understood the true definition of service. "At first, there was definitely culture shock transitioning from civilian life to military protocols, culture, and discipline. But over time, I grew to love it more and more. Only then did I truly learned what service really meant — putting others' interests before your own without expecting anything in return," he affirmed. In March 2022, when Ronnie Liang was promoted to First Lieutenant, he realized that joining the Philippine Army Reserve was indeed a calling for him. "Service, especially among the reserves, is voluntary. There's no salary. But still, we serve and offer our talents, skills, and whatever we can to inspire the others and the youth," he explained. "To see people happy, especially those who cannot help or defend themselves, because of our service is incredibly fulfilling." Liang's time in the reserve has opened his eyes to the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform. In describing how his military training and the significant realizations that came with it as life-changing, the singing first lieutenant compared, "In the entertainment industry, you're treated like a VIP. But in the military, it's the opposite. We all eat the same food, sleep in the same quarters, and undergo the same challenges. It's humbling to say the least and it's made me see so many things differently." Further elaborating, he revealed, "Before, I had the perception that soldiers were tough and violent. But after spending time with them, I witnessed their sacrifices they have to make — leaving their families to serve the country, sometimes for years, not knowing if they'll ever go back home. They're real heroes, willing to risk their lives in the name of service," Liang stated with gratitude and pride. Public perception Asked how he feels whenever celebrity reservists like him receive public praise on social media especially when they volunteer during typhoons, Liang replied, "First of all, we're just doing our duty to serve because reservists are there in times of war and calamity. Reservists are force multipliers supporting regular soldiers. You can't call those already in the mountains to come down and help, so we're here to answer the call of duty. "But with or without recognition, I'm OK with it. Of course it feels good when you're recognized, but for us, it's only so far as that recognition might result in inprising others to join the reserve force too and answer the call of duty." Lately, there has been a growing number of celebrities who have signed up as army reservists, including Dingdong Dantes, Matteo Guidicelli, Gerald Anderson, Arci Muñoz, Rocco Nacino, and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, among others. For Liang, this trend is symbolic of the modern image of the armed forces. "What we have today is the modern army. It has high trust approval and ratings, which is why even our celebrities are encouraged to volunteer. "You don't have to be a celebrity to become a reservist and it doesn't matter whether you volunteer with the army, navy, or air force — as long as you have the heart for helping others, you should offer to help. And the more reservists there are wearing [a service personnel's] uniform, it sends a positive message or signal to ordinary citizens, inspiring them to join the force as well." Sending out his personal invitation, Liang expressed, "I encourage other celebrities to join the force. A good model to follow are the K-Pop stars, who enter the military even at the peak of their careers. They spend two years in service as required, and if they can do it, so many others can too. "That's why I hope that our youth, through the ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps), get to realize they don't need to be experts in infantry or warfighting to be able to serve. Whatever skills you have, you can volunteer. Beyond the youth, whether you're an engineer, architect, or anything else, you can be placed in units where your skills will be maximized with additional training to follow," Liang reiterated. The Ngiti Foundation With his multifaceted career thriving all aorund, Liang's desire to give back only continues to grow. As such, he established the Ronnie Liang Project Ngiti Foundation in 2021, named after his hit song. The foundation provides free surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates, restoring their smiles and changing their lives. "I was inspired by my song which means to smile. I wanted to do something meaningful, something that would bring smiles to children who needed help and I get to do that with the work of my foundation," he said. So far, Ngiti has given free corrective surgeries to over 100 children. "I started this foundation in 2021, but the requirements were only finalized in 2023. The surgeries have been 100 percent free ever since, though. I started funded them using royalties from my albums, sales from my songs, monetization from my YouTube channel, Facebook, and a portion of my talent fees. "Helping others has become almost addictive, especially children who can't give you anything in return but a simple 'thank you.' That's more than enough for me," he conveyed. Looking forward, Liang hopes to expand Ngiti Foundation's reach once it receives formal recognition from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). "We're still waiting for the DSWD to issue a certificate so we can go full blast and help even more children. Because right now, we're not authorized to accept donations, so all the surgeires still funded by my personal money. But once we're certified, I'm sure there will be many willing to help and donate and we'll be able to extend our reach," he confidently noted. Onward dreaming Even with his plate overflowing, Liang doesn't want to stop making all his dreams come true. He still has many to realize for they continue to grow along with his rich experiences. "Like I said, I'm still pursuing my dream of becoming a commercial pilot. But at the same time I'm also finishing my PhD," he related. "I believe in the saying that education is a lifelong process, and we can never stop learning. God gave us talents, wisdom, and knowledge, so let's not waste them. I encourage everyone to pursue education, no matter what stands in their way," Liang added. In addition to these goals, Liang is committed to maintaining his advocacy work through his foundation and military service. As he juggles the many meaningful facets of his life, he remains committed to inspiring the Filipino people through his music, his service, and his passion for making a difference. "I hope to inspire others, especially the youth, to believe that anything is possible. With hard work, dedication, and a heart for service, we can all achieve our dreams and make the world a better place," Liang concluded.