A musical tribute to Inday Chan
Early this year, 12 Chan grandchildren convened to discuss how they would pay tribute to a special lady — the family matriarch Florence Lim Chan — as she turned 90 years old. They unanimously decided to make the program a celebration of their lola Inday’s life —highlighting childhood events and subsequent her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
This genteel and charming lady, who was crowned Miss Visayas in 1940, caught the eye of Antonio Chan when he saw her in the Iloilo town fiesta. Four years later, they wed and started a family while World War ll was raging and our country was occupied by the Japanese.
Love of music has always been a passion for Inday that has been passed on to her family members. Everyone knows that her son Jose Mari Chan is one of our most prolific and popular songwriter-composers, but not everyone knows that the whole clan can sing — from his siblings Anton, Nene Lily and Steven to their children and now the youngest generation with even the toddlers feeling at ease with the microphone.
It was heartwarming to witness the musical tribute to a beloved matriarch with special songs of her youth, Broadway hits and popular compositions by Joe Mari performed solely by the Chan family. We in the audience felt honored to be a part of this magical show that kept us glued to our seats. Kudos to the three creative grandchildren — brothers Mike and Joe Chan together with their cousin Teenee Chan, who outdid themselves with a well-executed musical treat.
As the program in the ballroom of the Manila Peninsula Hotel ended to thunderous applause, Mama Inday gracefully danced and showed us how one can look and feel good at 90 years old. She enjoyed her party so much that she did not go home till past midnight and enthused, “I felt like a star and loved being serenaded by my children, grandchildren and great-children. It was such a special night to remember.â€
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For comments and ideas, please email the author at: jacinto.fa@gmail.com.
