Singer-actor Ronnie Liang, who is now a licensed private pilot, recalled the first time he navigated an airplane prior to the pandemic, saying it was one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling activities in his life.
"Masarap, fulfilling, takot of course, hindi naman yun maiiwasan. Bago ako sumasakay, I
prayed. Lagi akong nagpe-pray at tsaka kumukuha ako ng mga insurance policy, although insured
naman kami. Mabuti lang yung sure, kumuha din ako sa sarili ko kasi may mga nababalitaan ako na
yung iba may nangyayari nga, kaya you cannot afford to make mistakes when you're flying.
Kasi dumating ako na wala akong alam pero ngayong kaya ko na magpalipad," said Ronnie when asked about the first time he navigated an airplane, during an interview at Coffee Project in Quezon City recently.
The "Ngiti" singer added: "Actually, bago ako lumipad naman, a day before, I review my notes and at the same time, kapag nasa air na, I need to trust yung natutunan ko and I trust the machine. Tsaka 'yung pagche-check naman ng makina, ako na mismo."
Ronnie, 29, said that it has always been his dream to become a pilot. "I believe that you can pursue your dreams at any point in your life. So here I am, taking steps in fulfilling that childhood dream. Napakasarap sa pakiramdam matupad ang pangarap mong maging isang licensed pilot. It was a childhood dream, though it took me decades before natupad, but it’s worth the wait. As far as I can remember, I was in grade 4 when I dreamnt of becoming a pilot. Me and my father were cleaning the backyard and may Boeing aircraft na lumipad and tanaw na tanaw namin. Then sinabi ko sa tatay ko na 'tay that's my dream. Now my childhood dream is no longer a dream but a reality,"
Now that Ronnie is a licensed private pilot, he's also training to become a commercial pilot. "And I would like to thank Pilipinas Space Aviation Academy, especially Captain Yeshter Donn Bacay, for helping me achieve my dream of becoming a commercial pilot."
Ronnie remembered his first trip as a private pilot when his plane took off in Subic. He also invited young men to join the aviation industry, citing a big demand for the profession.
"I'm inviting everyone (to enroll) and come fly with me because mataas ang demand ng pilot ngayon sa mga airline. Pero hindi rin naman madali ang maging pilot. Magastos po. Hindi ganun kamura pero sulit na sulit yung pakiramdam. Pero iba pa rin po yung feeling na achieve mo yung pangarap mo na
maging isang piloto. It will require a lot of focus and investment in time," Ronnie said.
Aside from being a private pilot, Ronnie has been promoted to first lieutenant in the Philippine Army. In August, he will take up his master's degree in management, majoring in national administration, at the Philippine Christian University. "Yung ranking depende sa educational background. I was promoted to lieutenant because I'm a licensed pilot."
Despite his hectic schedule, Ronnie pointed out that he has no plans in running for public office. His other friends even call him Jack of all trades, master of none.
"I have no plans to run for office. Nakaka-adik lang talaga yung kawang-gawa. Well, totoo naman, may mga nagsasabi sa akin na ganyan (Jack of all trades, master of none). Ako rin nasasabi ko rin na ang dami kong ginagawa. Pero I'm bored at nalulungkot kapag wala akong ginagawa and I want to make use of my time as much as possible para maging productive and gusto ko rin mag-grow ako na may mga pinaghirapan kaya yung mga opportunities na andyan, gina-grab ko. Pagtanda ko, hindi ko na rin yan magagawa," Ronnie said.
*Para Sa Kapayapaan
Ronnie also announced the launch of his CD entitled "Para Sa Kapayapaan" which he dedicates to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
"Happy and proud ako sa album na ito and I hope nabigyang buhay yung ginawa ko, tulad ng pagiging
sundalo. At least meron akong nagagawa for them. Alam nila na tumutulong ako without fees. May duty ako sa AFP pero wala akong sweldo," he said.
Proceeds in streaming the album will be donated to the AFP. "Para Sa Kapayapaan" can now be streamed and downloaded on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Deezer.
"Kahit isang sentimo wala po akong makukuha sa proceeds. Kung meron man akong makukuha siguro yung experience at karangalan na makapaglingkod sa bayan natin lalo na sa mga panahon na may bagyo, mga disaster, at response sa mga calamities," Ronnie added.