What broke Lani’s plan to retire in Las Vegas

At 50, Lani Misalucha continues to be in-demand for shows both here and abroad, with another one titled The Aces set for tomorrow night (Saturday, March 30) at the Araneta Coliseum with Jona and Darren Espanto as co-performers. Lani is billed as Asia’s Nightingale (noted for her derring-do such as singing while reclining on a sofa), Jona as The Fearless Diva and Darren as The Total Performer.

But did you know that in 2003, Lani seriously thought of retiring?

“At that time,” Lani revealed during the show’s presscon, “my husband and I had a serious talk after a show at PICC. The following year, we migrated to the US and settled in Las Vegas. I was ready to settle down as an ordinary citizen and lead a quiet life away from the limelight that I had been so used to in the Philippines, while raising a family. But that didn’t happen.”

Offers started pouring in, too juicy to turn down, so Lani’s plan was broken.

“Life has a way of making surprises,” said Lani, “so I conceded that the life of a singer was like that. Hindi mo talaga puedeng talikuran. As long as the public wants you, you have to stay. Habang may kumukuha sa’yo, sige ka nang sige.”

However, you should also listen to the alarm bell, according to Lani.

“We are not getting any younger,” she added. “There are so many other things that are more important and valuable than making money.”

That is, like spending precious time with family. Now a grandma, Lani can continue singing since all her and husband Noli’s children are grown-ups.

Having been there and done that, Lani is caring toward relatively young singers like Jona and Darren, always generous with praises.

On Jona: “There’s such an amazing talent in this petite package. Don’t be deceived by her tiny frame because once she performs, you will be glued to her, mesmerized. The quality of Jona’s voice is very rare. She’s got tone control and she understands the right emotions required by the lyrics. She doesn’t sing to impress. Also, she’s a beautiful person inside and, this I can say, she is not selective…she treats everyone equally. She’s a kind soul.”

On Darren: “Well, at 17 or 18, he’s already a total performer. His voice doesn’t seem to come from a teenager. It has a soothing quality that has power which is a rare combination. And he dances very well, too! He has a bright future in the performing arts.”

The two returned the compliments.

Jona: “I’ve been a fan of Lani since I was a kid. I’m lucky that I am able to perform with my idol, a singer as big as Miss Lani. She’s a very generous artist. She continues to guide and inspire us artists who have come much later than her.” 

Darren: It is such an honor to be part of a show with Miss Lani. What impresses me is not just the technical aspects of her wonderful vocals but also her character. She’s very humble. She shares with us, the younger generation, so many priceless lessons.”

Touted as a one-of-a-kind show starring three generations of singers, The Aces is presented by Star Music, Star Events and CCC Productions (headed by Calvin Chua), with PLDT Home as co-presentor. It was first staged at Waterfront Cebu on Feb. 2 and then at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on March 2. (For ticket inquiries, go to Ticketnet Online.)

LA Santos remakes Imelda Papin song

LA Santos, who has remade the classic OPM Isang Linggong Pag-ibig, with Imelda Papin who popularized the song.

Did you know that Imelda Papin’s classic OPM hit song Isang Linggong Pag-ibig was originally titled O Kay Bilis, sung by her sister Gloria (Belen) Papin? You know: O kay bilis ng inyong pagdating/pag-alis mo’y sadyang kay bilis din… 

The retitled song topped the charts in 1992 and it signaled the comeback of Imelda from a three-year self-exile in Hawaii (in sympathy with the Marcoses).

“I brought a vinyl copy of the song,” related Imelda who has been in the business for 45 years without let-up. “Buddy de Vera of Alpha Records called and asked me to come back. I said, ‘I will go back only if I have a song that will be a hit.’ And I suggested that we record O Kay Bilis and call it Isang Linggong Pag-ibig.”

You know what happened to the song, don’t you? Up to know, every Sunday that song and other OPMs are played and replayed, so it has become familiar to a new generation of music-lovers that includes LA Santos, the autistic who recovered through the power of music and the TLC (Tender Loving Care) of his mom, Flor Santos, who co-produces concerts of internationally-known singers (Celine Dion, among them).

Imelda is producing it under her own company Papin Entertainment for Star Music headed by Roxy Liquigan.

“I’ve been listening to that song since I was a kid,” said LA who is remaking it. “I would listen to it on radio while my mom was cooking.”

Produced by Imelda’s own company Papin Entertainment for Star Music, ILP was rearranged to appeal to millennials like LA.

“I got excited the first time I listened to it,” admitted Roxy Liquigan of Star Music. “So I decided to put it right away on MOR which has 17 stations around the country.”

Composed by Mon del Rosario, ILP has an interesting story behind it.

“Mon, who is a doctor, had a cancer patient who was his inspiration for the song,” recalled Imelda (who is running for vice governor in Camarines Sur in May’s mid-term elections). “For one week during the patient’s confinement, Mon observed how she was cared for by her husband. The couple loved each other defying death.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)