fter treading life's paths — complete with humps and bumps, Ronnie Liang's time has finally come with a debut album under Universal Records.

Titled Ang Aking Awitin, it warms the heart with revival songs that speak of love.

The 14-track album includes a song that inspires Ronnie to give his best in everything he does and serves as a guide in the journey towards a successful career.

That's why when Universal Records signed him up to be part of its family, he never let the chance to include Nais Ko in the album pass him by.

“The song speaks of my dreams,” Ronnie says. “It best describes my goals in life and it drives me to be the best I can be.”

The Ryan Cayabyab composition also happens to be Ronnie's winning piece in Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) where he placed second runner-up with Yeng Constantino as the grand winner. Hence, Nais Ko has a sentimental value for the 22-year-old native of Angeles, Pampanga.

Lines like Nais kong malibot ang mundo sa kanyang kasuluk-sulukan/ Nais kong makita ang paligid kong puno ng kagandahan, excite him no end particularly these days as he gets to realize his dream of setting foot in places abroad through a series of shows with other PDA winners.

His travels also made Ronnie meet fans who watch him perform through TFC. They gladly give Ronnie something to bring back home — like a laptop, portable playstation, cellphone and souvenir shirt.

“It's very heartwarming to receive something from people who also work hard for their families back home,” Ronnie relates. “Imagine, they gifted me with Bvlgari perfume in place of my ordinary cologne.” Life-changing is how Ronnie describes his present situation.

“I'm now judging a singing contest alongside my mentors in the Academy like Teacher Kitchie (Molina) and Nonoy Zuñiga who nominated me during my PDA days. I've been seeing myself on billboards and can perform with my idols like Gary Valenciano and Christian Bautista,” Ronnie adds.

Back in Pampanga, Ronnie worked double time to help his parents make both ends meet and to sustain his college education. He became a crew member in a fast-food chain and a video store employee.

Because he knows how to sing, Ronnie decided to join a singing search but was disqualified for having a manager. This didn't dampen Ronnie's spirit. He tried his luck on PDA and won.

If not for this, Ronnie would probably be inside the classroom teaching science as he took up Education, major in General Science at Holy Angels University .

Now that Ronnie's persistence has finally paid off, he is sharing the fruits of his labor to his family.

“I promised my dad (Rogelio) and mom (Adelina) to pay our house which was mortgaged due to financial difficulties. I will give to them what they've been wishing for a long time,” Ronnie declares.

In his album, Ronnie shows the balladeer in him, earning the title Prince of Balladeers. Its carrier single Ngiti (theme of Hiram na Mukha) has become the most requested song in radio stations and No. 1 on S.O.P.'s Apat na Sikat. It is also the most downloadable ringing tone on MYX.

Other songs in the album are Ikaw, written by R 'n B legend Keith Martin; Sa ‘Yo Lang and Walang Iba by John Barnard Borja; Gusto Kita; Saan Darating ang Umaga; Kaibigan Mo; Minsan; Ang Aking Awitin, a duet with Nikki Gil; Nag-iisang Ikaw; Kung Ako'y Uuwi and Ngiti's acoustic version and minus one.

And if you think he could only churn out songs, think again. Ronnie acts, too. He had a bit role in Mano Po 4 as John Prats' love interest and starred with 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman on ABS-CBN's Your Song.

Someday, Ronnie wishes to be Bea Alonzo's screen partner. He finds the young actress beautiful and approachable.

Come July 18, Ronnie will have six-city US shows with Yeng, Jay-R Siaboc, RJ Jimenez, Makisig Morales, Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino.

With all things bright and beautiful working out for Ronnie, he could say that persistence, indeed, is the twin sister of success.

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