News Release

Asia's Nightingale Sings for Tacloban

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought music to the hearts of Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors in Tacloban a few days before Christmas.  Ms. Lani Misalucha, dubbed as Asia’s Nightingale, sang familiar Christmas carols as the story of the birth of Jesus unfolded through music and the spoken word.

More than two thousand people watched the two shows held in Ormoc and Tacloban on December 16 and 17 respectively.  Ms. Lani expressed joy at being able to sing for the people of Tacloban despite her busy Christmas schedule filled with mall shows and concerts at the CCP.

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Ms. Lani Misalucha was already in the Philippines for the holidays when the opportunity to travel to Tacloban with Mormon Helping Hands volunteers to conduct play activities and distribute Christmas meals was presented to her . She shared that being asked was a blessing for her and her family because she was all the while thinking and wondering how they could help the typhoon survivors. “I’m glad I can use my talent in making people smile.  Music has a way of healing people emotionally and spiritually,” she said.

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People who watched the show were enthralled as Ms. Lani sang song after song with raw emotion and power. The audience requested for more songs towards the end and she playfully gave in by singing jazz versions of “Jingle Bells” and the “Twelve Days of Christmas” wherein the audience gleefully sang with her. Joining Ms. Lani was Jib Esquejo who rendered two powerful vocal perfomances. 

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Elder Brent H. Nielson, Philippines Area President of the Church, gave a video message expressing his love for the survivors and how the Church is doing everything it can to help address the many challenges affecting the areas.  He highlighted the love of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and exhorted the people to focus on intangible things like family togetherness, faith and love for the Savior.

Everyone went home happier and more hopeful for the future as shared by Roy Baculio, one of those who attended the event. “Ms. Lani’s voice is angelic.  I also appreciate that the program focused on Jesus Christ,” he added.

 

 

 

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