SINGER Lani Misalucha has faced countless tough challenges throughout her life and career, but she has remained steadfast, resilient, and focused, hurdling each and every test, heartbreak and trial with head held up high, taking each bout at a time.
Misalucha was at the peak of her popularity as a much sought-after singer when she decided to try out a life overseas. “I recall that in 2003, after a show in Manila, I spoke to my husband Noli and we both decided to give our plans of migrating to the United States a go. It was definitely not an easy decision. We had to turn down a lot of meaty offers, we had to plan everything—what to take along and what to leave behind. But such is life, I had to weigh everything and find my balance. Family always comes first. No question about that.”
Dubbed as Asia’s Nightingale in her home country, she admitted that the adjustments she encountered during the first few months settling in a foreign land were not easy. “It wasn’t my territory anymore, I am only one of many migrants. There were things I needed to get used to, there were compromises I had to give in to, there were situations I didn’t have control over with. It was not easy,” she shared.
But her passion as a singer never diminished, even if she thought she was officially “semiretired” and had become a full-pledged homemaker. One by one, inquiries and offers for her to perform came in again—intimate shows, guest appearances and full-on concerts. Eventually, Misalucha hit it big one more time and even landed high-profile gigs along the famous Las Vegas strip.
“I guess the fire was always there. There were days when it was not as raging, but it was never diminished. A new song, a performance I see on YouTube, a hopeful singer who takes a chance at a talent search—anything can just ignite the flames again, and inspire and reassure me that this is my calling. It has always been and it always will be my calling.”
We remember the good old days when we first met Misalucha. She wasn’t married yet and still carried the surname Bayot. She would sing three sets on weekends at a place called Regine’s Bar in Makati. Then she became the multiplex queen of her era, at a time when minus-one cassettes were the trend of music-loving Filipinos.
Then she started to get noticed, her vocals started to soar higher and higher, but success did not come on a silver platter. One time, I vividly remember, Misalucha was invited to sing at the launch of a resort not far from southern Manila. The official guest was an actor-politician who was then newly elected to a national position and had to take the chopper even if land travel was only around an hour from the big city.
The politician had front row seats but after the first song of Misalucha, he snored his way to dreamland. Naturally witty, the lady chanteuse walked up to the dozing politician, tapped him, and said, “You might have gotten tired from your flight, sir, but I am sure that you will be recharged by my next number.” The politician clapped loudly after her final song.
Misalucha has had all kinds of audiences in her many performances around the world. “There are appreciative crowds, there are a few isolated rude patrons, “ she said, adding, “But over the years, I have learned to take everything in stride. You can’t please everyone every time. They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do, and I’ve got to perform and give them a good show. Sometimes, the rude ones just need too much attention to themselves, and I ain’t giving them that.”
Misalucha will be back in Las Vegas early next month but not after she performs at the Araneta Coliseum on March 30 alongside two wonderful singers: Jona Viray and Darren Espanto. Billed as The Aces, the concert is produced by Calvin Chua’s CCC Productions with Jimmy Antiporda as musical director and Marvin Caldito directing the live event.
“It’s three times the power, and three times the fun. It’s wonderful to share the stage with two of the most promising concert artists in the Philippines!” gushed Misalucha, who remains on top of her game as a brilliant singer for all seasons.