A family man raising his daughter with Down syndrome wrote and recorded a song that essentially captures the key themes in the community of families braving the same challenges.
The digital single “Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan,” was released last November and sang by Luis Harder, the current president of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI).
The song was released on digital stores in time for the 13th birthday of the singer’s daughter Adeline Lois.
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, who is also the CEO-president of Wings Technology Enterprise Inc., 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.
“Ang Pag-ibig, Walang Kapintasan” 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). Its Tagalog lyrics reach out to those who wholly understand the challenges of having a child with special needs.
The 64-year old Harder, who is also the cousin of actress Carmi Martin, used to go around as a bar-hopping folk singer in Metro Manila, as well as in cities like Baguio and Dagupan.
He could sing, play the bass guitar, and write songs, poised to deliver when inspiration strikes.
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 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.”
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.”
On why he didn’t become a recording artist at an earlier age, he pointed out, “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” now serves as a tuneful backdrop to the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month currently being observed in this month of February.
Notably, DSAPI is being honored as the year’s Apolinario Mabini Organization for Persons with Disabilities. DSAPI has for years 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.”
