The ballad of Luis Harder and daughter Adeline
THERE’S a song that you can access on digital stores directly inspired by the experience of parents with children with special needs. It’s called “Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan.” The ballad released last November is composed and sung by Luis Harder, the father of Adeline Lois, a child with Down syndrome.
Harder is a musically inclined professional and currently the president of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI). He is also the CEOPresident of Wings Technology Enterprise Inc., and dabbles in creative photography.
He shared, “I recall playing the guitar one time when a four-chord song came out of thin air. The composition was able to summarize my experiences as a parent and express the depth of the emotions I have for my daughter.”
The song opens with plaintive piano that leads to the first lines: “May awit sa aking puso para sa’yo lamang/ Ang himig at titig galing sa pag-ibig/ Para sa’yo, dahil sa’yo.”
The prevailing feeling escalates with the backing of a rhythm section and guitar work that does not get in the way of the melody pushing forth to flesh out its sincerity and concerns.
While the track does not possess the con- ventionally effective repetitive chorus, it made up for it by cohesive arrangement, sustaining its expressiveness without a pause that could have ruined the momentum. “Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan,” was released on digital stores in time for Adeline’s 13th birthday. The child is now a teenager. Her dad just did a most special thing to celebrate the start of her teenage years.
The family man wrote and recorded a song that essentially captures the key themes in the community of families braving the same challenges. He initially searched for someone else to sing his composition until the song’s record producer and arranger Aubrey Alamani convinced him to interpret it himself.
The song has now taken the shape of an anthem for families raising children with special needs. It is deemed a relatable ballad that definitely strikes a chord with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Harder is a cousin of actress Carmi Martin and brother of Cory Batchelor whose daughter Mika appeared on Survivor Philippines in 2009. He used to go around as a bar-hopping folk singer in Metro Manila, as well as in cities like Baguio and Dagupan. He could also play the bass guitar. At some point he became a worship leader wherein his musicality was put to great use, and he even won in a songwriting tilt with a piece he penned called “Isang Katauhan.”
He noted, “Literally my world turned into mere black, white, and gray when we found out our daughter’s condition.”
Adeline’s singing father acknowledges his wife Sannie’s role in the raising of their daughter. He added, “God has opened new windows and doors and we started realizing something good is coming out of our situation. Pakiramdam kong merong kanta that needed to be written down.” He added, “I really like playing music and singing. But I had to pursue other things in life like finishing studies, going to business, and raising a family.”
The release of “Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan” served as backdrop to the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month observed last month.
The 22nd DSAPI Gold CUP dubbed “Tee-Up for Down” was held at Tagaytay Midlands Golf and Country Club last February 2, as a down syndrome awareness conference dubbed “Happy Talk (Usapang Down Syndrome)” took place at the Meeting Room A & B in Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on February 21. Come March 24, Happy Walk will take place at Halls 1 and 2, SMX Convention Center Manila. DSAP, honored as the year’s Apolinario Mabini Organization for Persons with Disabilities, has long carried out its mission to provide awareness of Down syndrome and help families experience meaningful lives.
According to Harder, DSAPI has been taking the lead in this effort since 1992 through volunteers, mostly parents of persons with down syndrome. He related, “Several activities are lined-up. If you have a child, a friend or know someone who may have Down Syndrome, we invite you to get in touch with the DSAPI Office at +63-2 8895-9642 or through their facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/downsyndromeassociationofthephilippinesinc.”
The singing executive Intends to continue producing music for noble causes. He related, “As president of DSAPI, I had talked with parents like me and Sannie who have a child with down syndrome. Alam ko ang sentiments nila at iisa lang ang pintig ng puso namin.”