‘Pinoy Dream Academy’ alum Ronnie Liang recalls challenging performance of ‘Ngiti’
Pinoy Dream Academy alum Ronnie Liang looked back on one of the most difficult moments of his career when he had to perform his hit song “Ngiti” just hours after burying his late mother, Adelina Liang.
On his Facebook page, the singer shared a video of his 2017 performance on the Wish Bus, recalling how he struggled to hold back his tears while fulfilling his scheduled guesting amid his grief.
“Ito yung isa sa pinakamahirap at pinaka-challenging na guesting ko. Kaka-libing lang ng Nanay ko at that time—like, hours ago lang—but I still needed to attend and perform,” Ronnie recalled.
In the clip he posted, Ronnie appeared emotional as he began singing “Ngiti.” He later explained that he tried to conceal his tears by pretending to cough so he could continue with the performance in the Wish Bus back in 2017.
“Yung kakalibing ng NANAY ko, like hours ago lang but I need to perform. Ito yung isa sa pinaka naging mahirap and challenging na guesting ko. Kunwari na-uubo para hindi halata nma teary-eyed ako,” Ronnie wrote.
The singer also posted photos taken during his mother’s funeral, recalling how he had to put on a smile and wave to fans waiting outside despite the pain he was going through.
“Kailangan ngumiti pa rin at kumaway sa audience sa labas pero wala sila anumang ideya sa nangyayari (sa akin),” he added.
Despite the emotional challenge, Ronnie managed to finish his performance with a smile, explaining that the live guesting had already been announced and could no longer be canceled.
“It was a live guesting, and it had already been announced so that it couldn’t be canceled daw. The show still had to go on. #RonnieLiang #Ngiti #undas #ProfessionalismMatters.”
In an article shared by Inquirer.net, Ronnie recalled the sudden passing of his mother, who had been suffering from pneumonia.
At the time, the singer was in Manila when he rushed to a hospital in their hometown of Angeles, Pampanga, where he watched as doctors tried to revive her.
“Everything was so sudden. She had just called me two days before and asked if I already had lunch and if I needed the laundry picked up. She told me that she had just seen my music video on TV,” he said in an interview.
View this post on Instagram
A self-confessed and proud mama’s boy, Ronnie also spoke fondly of his mother’s selflessness and the sacrifices she made for their family.
“My mom was the best. She endured all of life’s hardships without a single complaint,” he said. “Even though she had gout, she took care of us. She was selfless. She was very particular about cleaning our house.”
Ronnie has also paid tribute to his late mother through music, dedicating his covers of “Iingatan Ka” and “Salamat sa Iyo, Ina,” an original song from his Pinoy Dream Academy days to her memory.