Asia’s nightingale sings for Tacloban

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought music to supertyphoon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban a few days before Christmas.

Lani Misalucha, dubbed as Asia’s Nightingale, sang Christmas carols as the story of the birth of Jesus unfolded through music and the spoken word.

More than 2,000 people watched the two shows held in Ormoc City on Dec. 16 and Tacloban City on Dec. 17.

Misalucha expressed joy for being able to sing for the people of Tacloban despite her busy Christmas schedule filled with mall shows and concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila.

Misalucha was 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 said the invitation was a coincidence as she was also thinking of helping 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.

The audience was enthralled as Misalucha sang song after song with raw emotion and power.

The audience requested for more songs towards and she gave in by singing jazz versions of “Jingle Bells” and the “Twelve Days of Christmas” wherein the audience sang with her. Joining her was Jib Esquejo who rendered two song perfomances.

Elder Brent 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, said Roy Baculio, one of those who attended the event.

“Ms. Lani’s voice is angelic.  I also appreciate that the program was focused on Jesus Christ,” he said.

Meanwhile, LDS Charities (LDSC), the social arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,  was presented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with an  AFP Command Plaque for their contribution in the implementation of AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan.

The LDS Charities has sponsored the military’s various relief and development projects in the Philippines, including the reconstruction of three multi-purpose buildings in Cateel, Boston and Bagangga, all in Davao Oriental, that were destroyed by typhoon Pablo in 2012.

The LDS Charities was among the seven recipients of the AFP Bayanihan Awards given last Dec. 19 during the AFP’s 78th founding anniversary with the theme, “Tagumpay Noon, Bayanihan Ngayon, Karangalan Nating Lahat Bukas.” /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA