From one to nearly a thousand, Ronnie Liang helps change the lives of children with cleft lip and palate

It all started with one teenager, but now singer Ronnie Liang is helping almost a thousand kids with cleft lip and palate.

“It all started on January 31, 2021, where we launched the Project Ngiti Movement. Ang aking prod number ay “Ngiti” so we came out with an idea na magpangiti ng batang may cleft. Parang why not?” Liang shared in our exclusive interview with him on March 4.

“Parang instead of me maghanda, hanap tayo ng puwedeng tulungan. Around 14 or 15,” he added.

What initially started as one-time help came to a full-time and long-term project.

“Mas dumami lang today kasi almost a thousand  na. Hindi ko in-expect na ganoon kadami. We created a Facebook page, Ronnie Liang Project Ngiti. Nanawagan kami sa mga may cleft. Ang daming nag-message,” he said. (The number increased as today it’s almost a thousand already. I didn’t expect it to be that many. We created a Facebook page, Ronnie Liang Project Ngiti. We called on those who have cleft. There were many who messaged us.)

With this, Liang felt he could do more with the help of the Rizal Medical Center, so he established the Project Ngiti Foundation Inc., which has already been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Since ang kanta ko ay “Ngiti,” gusto kong mas lalong damihan ‘yung puwedeng tulungan in a way na mabalik ang ngiti nila sa mga labi nila. ‘Yung mga ganoon kasi, kadalasan ay nabu-bully sila,” he said. (Since my song is [titled] “Ngiti,” I want to help more to, in a way, bring back the smile on their lips. Those who have cleft are often bullied.)

“I believe na ibinigay ni God sa akin ‘yung kantang “Ngiti” hindi lang para sa career or makapag-serenade but at the same time to use it as a tool to help the less fortunate na kababayan natin,” he noted. (I believe that God gave me the song “Ngiti” not only for my career or for me to serenade but at the same time to use it as a tool to help our less fortunate countrymen.)

Liang shared that his foundation shoulders everything—operation, laboratory, hotel accommodation, transportation.

“It’s expensive in a way kasi siyempre ‘yung bayad sa doctor, ‘yung gamot, ‘yung laboratory. Pero mabait naman ang Rizal Medical Center. Tinutulungan kami especially sa doctor’s fee,” he related. (It’s expensive in a way because we pay the doctor, the medicines, the laboratory. But the Rizal Medical Center is kind. They help us especially with the doctor’s fee.)

To help raise money, Liang shares his monetization from his social media accounts plus they sell Project Ngiti T-shirts. Portions of his talent fees also go to the foundation.

Liang recently released a new song titled “Kailangan Kong Gawin” under RL Music. He also staged a successful private concert at Solano Hotel, the proceeds of which went to his foundation.  /ra

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