Allan Gonzales: Stevie Wonder of Phl

MANILA, Philippines — He plays the piano, took up voice lessons, studied classical and jazz improvisation and pursued other musical interests. He did all those things and continues to do what he loves ­— and more.

Raymond Allan San Pedro Gonzales does not have the gift of natural eyes. Born on Aug. 2, 1986 and the fourth in a family of five boys, Allan was found to have congenital cancer of both eyes only a few weeks after birth.

One eye had to be taken out when he was merely 45 days old. To save the other eye, Allan had to undergo two surgeries, plus a series of chemotherapy and radiation sessions. When he turned three, Allan’s remaining eye had to be taken out or enucleated, in order to prevent the cancer from spreading to his brain.

Although he lost his sight, Allan’s health started to improve. Aside from periodic check-ups, all his regular treatments had stopped, which became a huge relief to his family, both emotionally and financially. At age 11, Allan was declared cancer-free.

Allan’s musical inclination started when he was merely two years old. At age six, he took to singing. By age nine, he was enrolled in piano lessons, followed by voice lessons when he turned 10. Although he finished high school, he decided to forego college and instead, pursued his passion in music. At 17, he took up jazz improvisation.

In 2006, a big break opened for Allan. He was engaged by to work weekend gigs as singer-pianist at Promenade in Greenhills ­— thanks to lady boss Precy Florentino. The opportunity helped Allan earn a good income and build his confidence as a performer.

“Tita Precy saw me playing the piano and singing in one of our family events, so she invited me to play regularly at Promenade,” Allan offers. “I’ve been performing there for 12 years now. I consider my work at Promenade as a two-way ministry.

...with his aunt Roni Tapia Merk

“My music serves a blessing to random people walking around the mall. At the same time, I am also blessed to meet people who give me event bookings and I develop new friendships with them.”

A nephew of Roni Tapia Merk, Allan continues his weekend gig at Promenade, where he performs every Friday and Saturday. He is thankful to his Tita Precy for opening new opportunities for him after he was hired. To this day, he has earned the tag as the “Stevie Wonder of the Philippines.”

Allan looks up to such local performers as Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Noel Cabangon, Richard Merk and Gary Granada. Among the foreign artists, he admires David Benoit, Jim Brickman and Jim Chappelle.

In the years that followed, the challenges and trials were far from over for Allan. In 2010, he was precluded from his family’s US migration as he was over the statutory age limit. His parents and younger brother moved to the US in 2012, leaving Allan out of his comfort zone, without his mom and dad.

Though Allan was granted a visit visa to the US in 2013, he met another tragedy. In the course of a medical test, Allan was found to have a rare type of bladder cancer and he went in for a procedure to remove the tumor.

The cancer was malignant and it was not the progressive type. In March 2014, part of Allan’s bladder was removed through surgery. No recurrence has been found since then. That same year, he was able to visit his family in New York.

Today, Allan’s daily routine entails using a computer, browsing and posting on Facebook, taking photos and posting on Instagram, going out with friends and even watching a movie. He can even book a Grab ride through his voice-activated mobile phone. “I travel independently as much as possible,” Allan beams.

He continues to be a part volunteer voice teacher at Right Start, a community center for under-privileged children. He is also a volunteer of God Is Able Foundation International, a church organization that helps Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

On Sept. 1, Allan will spearhead the God Is Able Disability conference at the Kia Theater. The event is open to all PWDs, those with special needs and even senior citizens.