Despite the loss of his vision, Allan Gonzales continues to live life to the fullest by sharing one of the things he loves the most–music.

"The man was born blind in order that the works of God might be displayed in him…” - John 9:3

Everyday, visually impaired pianist and vocalist Allan Gonzales lives by this quote from the Bible. His disability has never hindered him from pursuing his passion for music, and in turn, inspiring people. He sings and plays the piano – no lyric sheet and piano piece, literally playing music by ear, and memorizing each song by heart.

All these, Allan acknowledges, can only come from God. “Growing up, mas naintindihan ko na yung situation ko. I may not have eyes but it does not mean na kulang na ako. May paningin sila pero it does not mean na kumpleto sila,” he says.

ONE IN A MILLION

Allan was born with bilateral retino-blastoma, a rare case of cancer on both eyes. It is one in a million case, according to his doctor.

When he was only 45 days old, his left eye had to be enucleated. He also underwent radiation, chemotherapy and cryotherapy.

Sadly, his treatments did not do much to improve his eyesight. When Allan turned three, his parents Jun and Teresita made the painful decision to have his other eye removed upon the doctor’s suggestion to prevent the cancer from spreading to his brain.

It was by God’s grace that Allan survived.

His parents encouraged him to pursue music, with his grandfather Amador giving Allan his first piano. He hasn’t stopped playing since.

“My cousin gave me a small keyboard. My lolo Mading would always say na kahit parang naglalaro lang ako, may tono na. He saw that I have a potential so he gave me a regular piano. The first piece I was able to play was ‘Mary had a Little Lamb,’” he recalls.

Meanwhile, in Allan’s parents was this constant fear of raising a blind child. There were special concerns on what school he would be sent to, much more, what the future held for him.

Allan went to a regular public school, with the assistance of a special education (SpEd) teacher. He was, likewise, enrolled in an extension class of the UP Conservatory of Music when he was nine years old, taking up classical piano lessons. When Allan turned 18, he studied jazz improvisation and started voice lessons.

“One of the struggles in school was the fact that hindi naman lahat ng bata maiintindihan na bulag ka. I had to deal with a lot of insecurities, like sana hindi na lang ako ganito. It’s a regular school so you have to be friendly para may tumulong sa’yo, mag-assist. Kasi mahiyain ako nung bata ako,” he relates. “Everytime, God is showing me na you can do something else. Hindi porke’t blind ka, wala ka nang gagawin, and you’ll feel insecure about yourself and what you supposedly lack.”

THERE'S MORE TO LIFE

Today, Allan uses his musical talent to the Heart wide open hilt, sharing it with people as he regularly plays at The Promenade in Greenhills on Friday and Saturday afternoon. His Sundays are usually spent in church with family and friends. With much confidence, Allan also does his regular gig and has even had TV guestings.

“When I started playing in public, I was not that confident. I was not used to people watching me while I play. But later on, na-develop yung confidence ko pati na rin yung boses ko,” he says.

His repertoire includes songs by Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder, Gary Valenciano and jazz musicians like David Benoit. He relies on oido to study new piano pieces.

“Marami akong CD collection. Kapag may nagustuhan akong song, kakapain ko na lang sa piano. And then my professor just corrects it kung may hindi ako makuha na tono. I memorize everything. Parati nga akong niloloko na bawal ma-virus ang utak ko,” laughs Allan, who has already memorized more than 150 songs.

He wishes though that his grandfather was still alive to see and hear him perform. “Pero natutuwa na rin ako na may nai-inspire sa akin, na may nakaka-appreciate sa ginagawa ko,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Allan just recently started taking computer lessons. He is so thrilled with the idea that one day he will have his own studio and equipment where he can compose his own songs, make an album and share his music to more people.

Allan says that we may not always understand God’s wisdom, but we should always trust that He only has good intentions for us.

“There’s more to life. At times it can be difficult. Sometimes we even question, bakit ganun ang nangyari. Pero dapat you should look at the positive side, that there’s always a lesson to be learned from every experience. May gusto syang iparating sa iyo. God has a plan. And whatever he has else in stored for me, I can’t wait to experience them.”