Will Lorli do a concert for Sandy victims?

Sometime early October, New York-based educator Lorli Villanueva held a concert An Evening with Lorli at the Philippine Consulate for the orphaned children and elders under the care of nuns of Asilo de Molo, in her hometown of  Iloilo.

Lorli’s concert presentors were YSG which provides support/training to the disadvantaged and AFTA which aims to achieve the highest level of competency in the teaching profession. They represent the best and the most caring of which there are many among the Filipino migrants.

Now, barely two months after, with the ravages of Hurricane Sandy still clear in one’s mind, we recommend that Lorli with her sponsors and guests hold a repeat to raise as much as they can for the victims of this disaster. We read of a televised benefit concert aired over NBC with such big names as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Christina Aguilera and Sting donating their presence to the victims. The Pinoys can do no less.

Lorli herself has long been a supporter of the needy. Ever since she discovered she could sing, she proceeded to hold mini shows and produced a CD Reminisce for the Asilo to sell. This is on top of numerous awards she has received for outstanding work in the academe. Amazingly, despite years away from the Philippines, Lorli manages to still be remembered as Maxima Labandera and the mahjongera from Oro, Plata, Mata.

Lorli topbilled the Evening with Lorli singing her heart out seated on a chair (after multiple operations on spine and knee replacements), demonstrating her sentiments through the astounding power of her voice. The concert was a clear sample of Filipino talent. Pianist was Nelson Ojeda Valdes, who has been soloist with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra & Southeast Symphony, and holds degrees from California State, Fullerton and Manhattan School of Music. He performed Claire de Lune solo in celebration of its composer Debusy’s 150th anniversary.

“It was always my dream to have a Filipino portion that brought back the music from long, long ago and I realized it this time,” Lorli wrote. In that portion, she sang Kulay Rosas, Pete Lacaba’s Salinawit Tagalog translation of La Vie En Rose, and Maalaala Mo Kaya, Bakya Mo Neneng, Pobreng Alindahaw and Usahay.

The Rondalistas string instrumentalists were Lorli’s big discovery. With painter Lito David on the bandurria, NY postal employee Leon de Lara on the laud or lute and Rudy Reyes on the guitar, they had played background for some Filipino shows until Lorli realized they were terrific with vocal harmony. “I required them to sing and they were so nervous, being their first real performance.” She left them on stage singing Hahabol Habol and the Palo Sebo instrumental for fiestas. They were fantastic and got a standing ovation.

Princess Santiago, Lorli’s daughter known for her Broadway acting appearances, was special guest with Besame Mucho, Jar and Set Fire to the Rain by Adele. She was also given a standing ovation. Lorli also recalled, “The medleys were all arrangements of the late Albee Barr, my musical director. The show was a concept he had for me before he died. The Filipino portion was his arrangement, finishing it on his death bed. His wife was at the show and it was very emotional for her.”

Of course, Lorli’s repertoire had her favorites Send in the Clowns, Summertime, The Man I Love, Embraceable You, Bali Hai, Love Letters, I Wish  You  Love and Smile. Lorli was in seventh heaven, speaking of a tour of the show, and a second CD she will entitle An Evening with Lorli, the Concert.

But for us, what we see immediately coming is An Evening for the Victims of Hurricane Sandy. And we are certain, the nuns at Asilo de Molo would likewise be ecstatic.

(E-mail the author at [email protected].)