Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha talked about celebrating Mother’s Day away from her children.
“My daughters and I celebrated Mother’s Day separately since they are in (Las) Vegas and I’m here in Manila,” Lani said in an exclusive interview with LionhearTV.
The veteran singer said a video call with her daughters has “definitely brightened” their day.
Lani has two daughters, Lian and Louven, who already have two kids each.
Lani said a mother should always make the celebration of Mother’s Day special by “trying to have your children next to you, letting them know that you’re grateful being a mother, that you are the luckiest person and that you are blessed because of them.”
According to the sultry diva, celebrating special occasions in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is tough.
Mother’s Day this year fell on May 10, when the stay-at-home orders were still in place in various parts of the world.
“This year is probably the most difficult and at the same time unique year for most of us,” she said.
“(But) we would just have to make the best out of something and most likely nothing to celebrate special occasions such as Mother’s Day,” she added.
When asked about the most expensive gift thàt she has received from her husband on Mother’s Day, Lani said she and her husband Noli Misalucha have agreed not to spend on extravagant presents.
“Since both my husband and I are stingy, we always remind ourselves not to gift ourselves with expensive items,” she shared.
“But it was our 29th wedding anniversary when he gave me a nice dainty bracelet with a yellowish pearl from Jewelmer (a luxury jewelry brand known for its South Sea pearls),” she added.
The multi-awarded recording artist, who is three months shy away from 51, described her current family life as “amazingly wonderful.”
Lani’s career in the music industry started after she sang with the Andres Bonifacio Choir of the Cultural Center of the Philippines at age 20.
She then joined various bands as a vocalist or back-up singer, beginning with the group “Prelude.”
Later on, she joined the “Law of Gravity” group formed by its late vocalist, Bodjie Dasig, who convinced her to go solo.
“It was Bodjie Dasig who tried to convince me to be a solo artist,” Lani said.
“I eventually agreed and it was he and his wife Odette Quesada who produced my very first recording album that was released by Alpha Records in January 1997,” she added.
Lani rose to prominence after the release of her first album More Than I Should with carrier single of the same title that became a hit.
Since then, her inimitable vocal power has made her earned several awards, including “Best Singer,” which she bagged at the Asia Song Festival in 1998.
Her vocal prowess led her to perform in prominent cities in the United States such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, among others.
Two former city mayors in the US even went ahead to declare August 17 as Lani Misalucha Day in San Francisco and December 4 in Las Vegas because they were so fascinated by her talent.
Lani can perform various genres, including pop, soul, jazz, opera, blues, and rock.
In preparing for a major concert or show, Lani shared that she studies and listens first to brand new songs, and then she memorizes them.
“Learning new songs, memorizing them, band rehearsals, sometimes dance rehearsals too, getting fit, which I fail to do, are just few of the undertakings we commit into when preparing for a major concert or show,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lani noted that she will be back on GMA Network’s musical competition The Clash Season 3.
“I’m excited for The Clash Season 3,” she said.
Do you want to know Lani better?
Continue reading below:
REAL NAME
Lani Misalucha
BIRTHDAY
August 3, 1969
FAVORITE SONG
All My Life by America.
FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS
Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.
FAVORITE MOVIE
Forrest Gump.
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I was often asked that question when I was just a little kid and I would answer, a doctor.
IF NOT A SINGER, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR PROFESSION WOULD BE?
A chef I guess. Because I love to cook.
ON YOUR FREE TIME, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY DOING?
Playing with my precious grandbabies.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND AMONG YOUR FELLOW PERFORMERS?
Martin Nievera.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM THEATER ROLE?
It would have to be the iconic character of Grizabella from the musical “Cats.”
