MANILA -- It's not common knowledge that singer Ronnie Liang is a licensed pilot. Not many also know that he's an army reservist.
But as part of his military duty, Liang began suiting up to help out with enforcing the enhanced community quarantine, implemented for the whole of Luzon in an effort to stop the coronavirus spread.
According to Liang, in a press release sent out this past week, he was assigned to escort medical workers to hospitals.
"I'm super grateful sa magandang sinasabi ng tao noong nabasa nila 'yung news na tinutulungan ko nga ang mga frontliner," he said.
"I was assigned to bring medical workers to their places of work. And pampa-good vibes, one time, they asked me to sing."
Liang, 34, acknowledged he did feel terrified that he may catch the virus himself, but said that his "passion to help" pushed him to say yes when the army called him up to the frontlines.
"What's important is 'yung pure intention mo when you said yes sa tungkulin mo. Mahaba ang hours of duty namin," he said.
"Hatid-sundo namin sila. And makikita mo sa lahat ng frontliners na they are there, showing their deepest sense bilang tao.
"I want to help, contribute, and be part of the solution in fighting against COVID-19, while preserving our force by serving those who served. Let's unite against a common, invisible enemy.
"Ito ay panahon talaga ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan kahit ano pang katayuan, posisyon, pananaw mo sa buhay."
In addition to his duties, Liang also donated groceries worth P70,000 and 100 pillows, in cooperation with the APG International Aviation Academy and Sylpauljoyce Furnitures, to army hospitals.
In the same press release, Liang also shared the lessons he learned from being in the frontlines against the virus.
His list includes how we should "always be focused" during this time of crisis; that he realized the need to use his influence for good, without expecting anything in return; that he believes we can be better people to one another; and that "health is really wealth."
He also highlighted the army's "dedication," observing how "they value the concerns and needs of others," and reiterated following the quarantine rules as the coronavirus "doesn’t choose its victims."
Liang has a movie coming up, "Harang," inspired by the hit Korean TV series "Crash Landing on You," directed by Njel de Mesa.