Some of the newbie stars who play supporting roles in Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) entry 2022 “Mamasapano” expressed their gratitude to singer and actor Ronnie Liang after offering them free rides from film’s location (San Mateo, Rizal) to their homes (Laguna, Bulacan, and Quezon city areas).

In an interview, Ronnie shared, “I know the feeling na walang sariling sasakyan, lalo na kapag malayo ang location. I remember nung nag-uumpisa pa lang ako at suki ng mga audition, 300-400 beses akong nag-audition, mayroong time na naubusan ako ng pamasahe. Pinababa ako ng bus at umuwi nang naglalakad from Bulacan to Pampanga. 

“Those were the days. Mahirap ang buhay noon especially for young, newbies na nagsisimula pa lang at very limited ang budget. Pero alam ko sa sarili ko na magbubunga rin ang lahat ng pagod. 

“Kaya nung tapos na ang shoot/eksena namin at uwian na, nag-offer ako sa kanila na sumabay na lang sa akin. I dropped them sa bahay nila. ‘Yung iba naman, kung saan malapit sa bahay nila. Fun times din for us para makapag-bond pa at makilala namin ang isa’t isa while I was driving. They were very happy. Masaya kami. At na-enjoy namin ang byahe.”

In the movie, Ronnie plays Tabdi, Seaborne’s assistant commander. The movie tells the story of the Mamasapano clash where 44 Special Action Force officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) died on their mission.

“I’m grateful na maging bahagi ng pelikula na ito. As a real life army reservist who served the country during pandemic and continue to serve, nagamit ko sa pelikula ang trainings ko katulad ng pagsabak sa ground, paggamit at paghawak ng sniper rifle,” Liang said.

In 2018, Liang first volunteered as an army reservist and completed his military training for 45 days and CMO training for three months in 2019. 

During the start of the pandemic, he served as a frontliner, helping transport and donate goods to hospitals and bringing medical frontliners to their places of work. He was also seen on duty at a checkpoint on the MacArthur Highway in Valenzuela City. He went on active duty again during the country’s third implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) at a checkpoint on the Alat San Jose Bridge in Caloocan City. 

Liang also joined fellow army members in the distribution of food and hot meals in Caloocan City in 2021. A few days before that, he was assigned to help with the Libreng Sakay program for Essential Workers offered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines with routes from SM Fairview to Quezon Avenue.

Ronnie first joined showbiz as a contestant on ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy in 2006 where he emerged second runner-up to Jay-R Siaboc and grand winner Yeng Constantino. He is most popularly known for his OPM hit song ‘Ngiti’ which was released in 2007.

He’s currently the judge for hit TV5 show “Sing Galing,” every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.