A family man raising his beloved daughter with down syndrome wrote and recorded a song that essentially captures the key themes in the community of families challenged by fate, strengthened by faith.
The digital single “Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan,” was released last November, credited to Luis Harder, a musically inclined professional and current president of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI).
The song was released in time for the 13th birthday of the singer’s daughter Adeline Lois.
A cousin of actress Carmi Martin, Harder shared, “I recall playing the guitar one time when all of sudden, 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.”
Harder initially searched for someone to sing his composition until the song’s record producer and arranger Aubrey Alamani convinced him to interpret it himself.
Anthemic and relatable
“Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan” had taken the shape of an anthem for families raising children with special needs. It is a relatable ballad that definitely strikes a chord with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). Its Tagalog lyrics reach out to those who wholly understand the challenges of having someone in the family who was born differently.
Harder, a former bar-hopping folk singer who revisted his passion for music to properly record a song he penned, is also a corporate executive, being the CEO-President of Wings Technology Enterprise Inc. He acknowledges his wife Sannie’s role in the raising of their daughter.
The multi-faceted talent who likewise does creative photography noted, “Literally my world turned into mere black, white, and gray when we found out our daughter’s condition.”
Harder attributes his strength to God, saying, “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.”
Passion reignited
Harder is a talent poised to deliver when inspiration strikes. He used to be in a band when he was in college, and he continuously gigged during his 20s, performing in folk houses around Metro Manila, and in places like Baguio and Dagupan. He could sing, play the bass guitar, and write songs.
At some point he became a worship leader wherein his musicality was put to great use. He even won in a songwriting tilt with a piece he penned called “Isang Katauhan.”
“I really like playing music and singing,” Harder pointed out, “But I had to pursue other things in life like finishing studies, going to business, and raising a family.”
Consciousness month
With the release of “Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan,” a marginalized sector of strong and united families has been provided with an appropriate tune that embraces their stories and showcases their heroism.
The track’s release came in time for this February being observed as the 22nd National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.
Notably, DSAPI is being honored as the year’s Apolinario Mabini Organization for Persons with Disabilities. For years DSAPI has carried out its mission to provide awareness of down syndrome and help families dealing with it live 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, saying, “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.”
He added, “My song also goes to other children with down syndrome, and to other children with special needs, whether they belong to Filipino families or from different nationalities. If parents get to sing this song for their children, then the purpose is well-served.”
