(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim)
“NGITI” is a haunting ballad. “Smile”, in English, has gripped the hearts of countless fans of Ronnie Liang.
It is more than just a smile for Liang who, as the Philippine Daily Inquirer describes him, “put a smile on people’s faces, even those who physically couldn’t.”
Liang was part of a karaoke game show in 2022 when, during his birthday, helped a young girl in a cleft lip repair surgery. Mother and daughter were all smiles as a result.
Liang was so touched that he decided to spread the happiness – and the smiles – to all children he could possibly gather. He never expected to receive nearly a thousand replies to his Facebook post about free cleft lip and/or cleft palate surgery. He expected perhaps 20 responses at most.
The Facebook post went viral beyond Liang’s expectations – and so Project Ngiti was born. It started at the Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City and spread to St. Vincent General Hospital in Marikina City and the San Fernandino Hospital in Pampanga.
While the procedure is quick (up to about an hour) and relatively simple, it’s not exactly inexpensive. Each operation costs more than P80,000 in private hospitals and about P30,000 in public hospitals. The financial challenges were hurdled with the help of hospitals, corporate sponsors, charity groups like Smile Train, and surgeons who donated part of their professional fees. Project Ngiti also organizes fund raising activities.
Since then, Project Ngiti has put a smile to over 300 people, adults included; the target is 1,000. At no cost to the recipients of the generosity of Liang and all those who have helped.
From morning until sundown once a month, surgeries are conducted for groups of up to 15 people.
Liang has met adults with cleft lip and palate who were bullied, teased or stared at while they were growing up. “We can change that. The earlier a child gets surgery, the better,” he says.
Many times, Liang has to cover expenses from his own pocket, turning in all his earnings from record sales and streaming from Ngiti which continues to be popular, on radio airplay and on Spotify where Liang averages 691,000 listeners. Ngiti, the song, has 61.9 million streams.
“People still listen to it, they sing it at karaoke, and at times even use it as a contest piece,” Liang tells Allan Policarpio of the Inquirer. “I feel happy that the song has taken on a greater purpose. That’s why I ask God to continue blessing my music.”
Liang was a choir boy and working student. He did as much as 300 auditions and was rejected in almost all. He joined singing contests and accepted small roles at first in movies and television. Success then came when Liang became an accomplished singer and actor. He is a reserve in the Army, a licensed private pilot, and a doctorate graduate in in security development administration at the Philippine Christian University.
Today, Liang wants to spread Project Ngiti to the Visayas and Mindanao, planning to tap military hospitals in other regions. Project Ngiti also works in partnership with Smile Train.
Liang has also released a new single titled, “Byahe ng Buhay”.
“God willing, I’m thankful I’m still here,” he says, noting that “the surgery is simple, but can be life-changing.”
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
