‘God had a different plan for us’

When she went to the US three years ago, Lani Misalucha had other plans in mind. She turned her back on a flourishing career in the local music scene to start a new life in the US with her husband Noli and two daughters — Louven, 16; and Lian, 13.

"My initial plan was to stop singing, stay home and take care of my family," Lani shares. "My husband, who is an information technology engineer, also wanted to explore new job opportunities in the States. But I guess music will always follow me everywhere I go. I also realized God had a different plan for us."

Lani got an opportunity to perform at the famous Las Vegas strip, with a regular stint at Bally’s Hotel with the Society of Seven (SOS). The group later moved to the Flamingo Hotel also at The Strip, where Lani has a contract to sing until January 2008. She goes on stage from Wednesdays to Sundays.

"I feel so blessed to be given the chance to be an entertainer in Las Vegas," Lani maintains. "Not every Filipino performer gets this kind of break. I’m happy that I’m there with the SOS, Martin Nievera and now, Jasmine Trias."

So far, Lani’s stint has earned for her citations from Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, who gave her a certificate recognizing her as "the first Asian to headline in a main showroom on the Las Vegas strip."

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn also awarded a certificate of recognition to Lani for bringing an outstanding show with the SOS to Las Vegas. She was cited for her "phenomenal talent" and the certificate stated Lani is a "wonderful addition to Las Vegas’ entertainment industry."

Last month, Lani returned to Manila to fulfill two commitments. She launched her self-titled album under Universal Records. The new CD is replete with beautiful retro tunes which are mostly Lani’s favorites. Carrier track is Very Special Love.

Lani recorded the album two years ago, but only got to release and promote it now. "People who love romantic tunes will certainly be familiar to the songs in my new album," Lani says. "I’m not sure if it will work out today in the local music market, but these are the kind of sentimental songs I really love."

Selections in Lani’s new CD include Come in from the Rain, Never Knew Love Like This Before, Never My Love, I Just Wanna Stop, I Live for Your Love, Someone in the Dark, Love Me Again, These Dreams, All in Love is Fair and Christmas Won’t Be the Same Without You.

On March 17, Lani will also hold a major concert, Missing You, at the Araneta Coliseum. The show is presented by Crossover 105.1 as the first venture of its XVR Events. Crossover also produced Lani’s first major concert at the Big Dome. Special guests in the show are Gary Valenciano, Search for Star in a Million winner Frenchie Dy and Philippine Idol champion Mau Marcelo.

"This is a reunion of sorts of the same people I worked with in my 2003 concert at Araneta, also produced by Crossover," grants Lani, who started as a singer for multiplex releases in 1989. "Louie Ocampo is my musical director. Rowell Santiago will direct me again and Hotlegs Dancers will join me, too. I’m so happy to be working with all of them again. I’m also thankful to Crossover for trusting me with another show like this one."

Lani’s arrival in the country was met with controversy when she appeared on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, ASAP ’07. She performs every Sunday on ASAP ’07 until she returns to Las Vegas after her Araneta concert. Before she left for the US, audiences saw Lani as a regular artist on GMA 7’s S.O.P.

Her transfer to ABS-CBN, she clarifies, was a mutual decision she made with her manager, Rhiza Pascua, who also handles the career of American Idol third placer Jasmine Trias. While Lani is in Manila, she was temporarily replaced by Jasmine in her stint with the SOS at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.

"I no longer have a contract with GMA 7," Lani points out. "The contract that I signed with ABS-CBN is only to appear on ASAP while I’m here in Manila. I have commitments in the US that’s why I go back there on March 20. The day after that, I’ll resume my show at Flamingo Hotel."

Lani, who was given a visa of extraordinary ability which paved the way for her migration to the US, admits that she still gets terribly homesick at times in the US. "My mom and my four other siblings are still here, that’s why I miss them," she says.

In Las Vegas, she plays her domestic chores to the hilt. She cooks for her husband and daughters, goes to market at Chinatown to buy their food supplies and even drives herself to work.

"When I’m not performing, I enjoy the anonymity in Las Vegas," Lani says. "I can do anything. I can go anywhere without worrying about being hassled. But there’s nothing like life here, that’s why I always miss Manila."