Watch Lani Misalucha's exclusive interview, where she talks about her experiences before reaching fame with the help and support of her loving husband.
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00:00 I was 28 years old at that time.
00:05 Oh, your husband passed away.
00:07 Yes.
00:08 You had a child then.
00:09 We had two children.
00:11 Was he in any way connected to your music?
00:16 In the beginning, no.
00:18 He was an engineer.
00:21 I was his wife and a mother.
00:28 But at the same time, I was a singer.
00:31 Before we got married, I was already involved in a band.
00:38 I was already in college.
00:39 At the same time, I was already in a band.
00:41 We got married and I entered the showbiz or the entertainment world when I was 27 years old.
00:53 I can still remember my first album, which was launched in 1997.
01:01 I was already 27 years old, turning 28 at that time.
01:06 In other words, I wasn't a kid anymore.
01:11 I entered the showbiz industry when I was married.
01:16 I had a mother and two daughters.
01:18 You were lucky.
01:20 Because that is not the traditional way of getting your shot at the showbiz.
01:29 You need to be young.
01:32 Correct.
01:33 Yes.
01:34 So, it was a different career for me.
01:39 But it's hard to think that Miss Salucha's mother was rejected.
01:47 But did you also join the showbiz industry?
01:56 I was already married at that time.
02:00 My older sister, Ati May, asked me if I could join the band.
02:09 She was the one who was supposed to be in the band.
02:15 She asked me if I could join the band.
02:18 I had to audition for the band.
02:21 So, we started.
02:24 When they heard me sing, because my orientation was choir and classical,
02:32 I would make a sound like this.
02:37 It's like a Broadway-ish classical sound.
02:43 So, they were off.
02:45 Of course, we were singing a band.
02:47 The band's theme was pop and jazz.
02:51 So, they were off with my voice.
02:55 They asked me to listen to this tape.
02:59 These were pop singers.
03:01 Of course, Whitney at that time, Mariah.
03:05 I studied pop singing.
03:09 Wait, I'll interrupt you.
03:12 You said you studied.
03:14 You were saying that this voice didn't go through formal training.
03:24 You didn't study to sing like that.
03:28 No.
03:29 I can consider this as a gift from God.
03:38 This is a gift from God for my talent, aside from my beauty.
03:43 That's right.
03:45 Joke.
03:46 No, this is not true.
03:48 This is a gift from God for my talent.
03:51 He gave me this kind of voice.
03:54 I had a desire, along with my older sister, to get music in college.
04:07 But our parents didn't want us to get music.
04:14 Really?
04:15 Yes.
04:17 So, there was no formal training or any school that we went through
04:24 that we have to go through this rigid training to have this kind of voice.
04:29 It's just that the choir, the church choir, was a big help for me.
04:34 Somehow, I got the proper training and I joined the Andres Muli Fascio Concert Chorus.
04:46 Of course, we all know you as Asia's Nightingale.
04:50 But what is a multiplex screen?
04:54 Multiplex is the tape that goes like this, right?
04:57 Correct.
04:58 The tape that goes like this.
05:00 We even used cassette tapes.
05:02 Cassette tapes.
05:03 Cassette tapes.
05:04 The karaoke machines were huge back then.
05:08 Now, we only use microphones.
05:10 At that time, I was just recommended from one producer to another.
05:20 "Oh, there's a singer here who has a similar voice to Whitney when she sings."
05:25 So, I was recommended and then I was given a set of songs that I have to record.
05:32 Because, of course, those cassette tapes,
05:35 let's say, if Whitney Houston is the one who sings,
05:40 so at least, the voice should be like Whitney Houston.
05:44 So, we have to at least get as much as possible close to the voice of the original singer.
05:51 So, that's what you learned.
05:54 Yes.
05:55 Those cassette tapes.
05:57 Yes.
05:58 So, if Whitney Houston is the one who sings, of course, we will listen to it.
06:01 I will listen to it.
06:03 If Whitney gives me a song, I really have to listen to the voice of Whitney Houston.
06:07 Sometimes, I really also have to watch her on television.
06:13 We didn't have YouTube back then or anything like that.
06:16 So, I will watch her, how she performs.
06:19 Who else? Aside from Whitney?
06:21 Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Madonna.
06:25 Almost all female singers are given to me.
06:30 And you differentiate the voice of one from the other.
06:39 Yes.
06:40 Is that how it is? Can you distinguish it right away?
06:46 Yes. In the case of Celine Dion, her voice is very distinct.
06:53 I don't know.
06:57 Okay, let's listen to Celine.
06:58 Oh my God, I don't know it.
07:00 It's like nasal.
07:03 Whereas, Whitney?
07:06 In the case of Whitney, it's very full, very warm, coming from the throat.
07:18 Her voice is very whole and full of body.
07:26 So, from there, somehow, I was trained to do that.
07:32 When it's Whitney Houston, it's automatic.
07:36 When it's Whitney Houston, my voice becomes Whitney.
07:39 When it's Celine Dion, it's automatic.
07:42 It's like a switch.
07:46 Really?
07:47 Sometimes, when I listen to those tapes,
07:52 even my friends thought that the original singer was singing.
07:59 But later on, they found out that it was karaoke.
08:03 That I was the singer behind it.
08:05 Wait a minute.
08:07 Sorry, I'll just put it on.
08:10 Why? Did it get removed?
08:12 Rolling.
08:26 You were the victim of Pyramid Scam.
08:31 What was that?
08:33 That was the time, around 2002, 2003.
08:40 You were already active.
08:42 Not only active, you were at the top of your career.
08:45 Yes, I already had a TV show and all that.
08:48 I had an album and all that.
08:50 So, we were approached.
08:53 I don't know, there were a lot of companies like that before.
08:58 Multi-level marketing and all that.
09:02 So, we were approached.
09:04 Of course, who wouldn't be fooled that you have a high interest rate.
09:12 So, you went into it.
09:19 You went into that business.
09:23 Yes, we made our own business.
09:27 We invested in the company.
09:30 You can also make a sub-company where you can invite others to invest in your company.
09:38 So, there were people who invested in us.
09:43 And then, it was like, it was a big news before that it was a big controversy.
09:54 So, aside from what we gave to the company, we also lost everything.
10:04 You lost everything.
10:07 But what happened?
10:09 Did your investors chase you?
10:13 No, because what we did was we also gave what we invested in.
10:19 So, there was no case against us.
10:21 I mean, there was no problem.
10:24 Because we took care of what we were given, we returned everything.
10:29 So, in other words, aside from the fact that we lost what we invested, we also paid.
10:35 You even paid for this.
10:36 In short, that led you dry.
10:41 You really did nothing.
10:42 You really did nothing.
10:43 You really did everything down the drain.
10:46 Exactly.
10:47 Of course, it was a big devastation because you really worked hard for that money.
10:57 Of course.
10:58 We heard a lot of news that many families or spouses were really destroyed.
11:10 It was not a good news.
11:12 Wait, is that the reason why you decided to go abroad?
11:19 That's one of the reasons.
11:21 Ah, okay.
11:23 Sometimes, it really breaks your heart.
11:31 But at the end of the day, you still have two hands and two feet.
11:38 You still have everything.
11:41 You're still whole.
11:42 You have no reason not to continue in life.
11:47 And you were still at the top of your career at that time.
11:53 Yes.
11:54 What happened that made Noli's heart beat so fast?
12:01 This was the year 2020, the height of the pandemic.
12:06 When was that?
12:07 The height of the pandemic.
12:09 I think it was late at night when his heart started to hurt.
12:17 He thought it was just a...
12:19 You were here in the Philippines.
12:20 We were here in the Philippines.
12:22 His heart was persistent.
12:28 He felt like it was nothing.
12:32 But when it was so long that he couldn't leave, he said, "We have to go to the hospital."
12:38 So, we went to the hospital.
12:41 There were a series of tests.
12:44 At first, there was no ECG, nothing.
12:50 But when blood tests came out,
12:55 the particular enzyme, the troponin,
13:00 the high-indicated heart attack,
13:07 he was examined thoroughly.
13:10 He was stented, but the other organs were already closed.
13:18 To make it short, triple bypass.
13:23 Triple bypass.
13:25 He had it done here as well.
13:28 Yes.
13:29 The things that you didn't expect.
13:33 Of course, you're not old yet, you're careful with your diet and all that,
13:41 but you didn't expect that to happen to you.
13:46 So, it was a big shock for us.
13:51 So, this is different from the news that something bad happened to your husband and you.
13:59 You two are married.
14:01 What is that? That's different.
14:04 So, it was the same year.
14:07 Same year when he had his heart attack.
14:10 Yes.
14:11 So, his heart attack happened in August of 2020.
14:15 So, September just passed, and in October, our illness came.
14:24 "Sa amin" meaning the two of you?
14:26 Yes, the two of us.
14:28 What is it? You had a cold?
14:29 No.
14:30 No?
14:31 No.
14:32 This is bacterial meningitis.
14:35 Oh, wow.
14:37 You know, that's the time when there's a pandemic,
14:40 you're praying to God,
14:42 "I hope we'll get better."
14:45 You're praying for COVID,
14:47 and it turns out that it's something else.
14:49 Exactly.
14:50 You're praying that you won't be hospitalized and all that,
14:53 and that you'll have loved ones in your life.
14:55 But this, it's not COVID, but it was something else.
14:59 This is bacterial meningitis,
15:03 which is not a joke.
15:06 Of course, it's a brain problem.
15:11 Where did you get it?
15:13 How did that happen?
15:15 They told me that we might have eaten something.
15:17 You ate?
15:19 We ate something.
15:20 Because that's the only thing we could do.
15:22 Because we saw it in our system.
15:25 And you two, right?
15:27 You went to the hospital at the same time?
15:29 Yes.
15:30 Oh, wow.
15:31 I was the only one who was admitted to the ambulance.
15:35 I was admitted to the hospital on Friday,
15:41 and I was there on Sunday.
15:43 I thought I could handle it.
15:47 I felt a bit of a burning sensation in my body,
15:51 but the headache persisted,
15:54 body pain, high fever, stiff neck.
16:02 It was also an indication that the bacteria in the brain were spreading.
16:08 Oh, my.
16:09 The hospital was alarmed because meningitis is common,
16:18 but it's not something that happens to everyone.
16:24 What happened to us was rare.
16:30 We were both infected with the same bacteria.
16:34 And on a scale of 1 to 10, how was it in terms of pain?
16:40 No, not pain, but the risk of losing?
16:44 Oh, I mean, they said it was really good.
16:48 We went to the hospital right away.
16:52 If it wasn't for the bacteria, it could have been fatal.
16:56 Yes, meningitis.
16:59 My husband, Noly, was in a coma because the bacteria in his brain really ravaged.
17:08 Oh, my God.
17:09 And did that affect your voice, your career?
17:13 Did it?
17:14 A lot.
17:15 Really?
17:16 Yes, because the most damaging part of meningitis,
17:23 particularly that bacteria, is hearing loss.
17:27 Oh, my God.
17:30 Hearing loss is so vital to your voice.
17:33 Yes, and also, besides hearing loss,
17:38 it has vestibular disorder wherein consistently you will be dizzy
17:45 because your hearing is not equal.
17:47 You will lose your hearing.
17:49 You will always be dizzy.
17:51 You will lose your balance.
17:52 And also, our vision is constantly moving.
17:58 To be honest, in the beginning, it was really devastating.
18:05 It was like, "Are we being punished?"
18:09 That's what you think.
18:12 But we all have different trials that come to us.
18:23 So, I can say, "Don't get me wrong.
18:30 My husband and I are still grateful for our lives."
18:35 But the things that come to us are different.
18:40 So, I just want to say that for someone like me who is a singer,
18:46 it's really difficult because we are old.
18:55 And this happened to us, that when you get old, you adjust.
19:01 What do you mean by adjustment?
19:03 What adjustments did you have to do?
19:05 You adjust to your current situation where you are deaf.
19:11 Were you really deaf? I can hear.
19:14 This side.
19:15 But in the beginning, it was really difficult for us to hear.
19:20 We couldn't hear properly.
19:22 Especially when everyone was wearing a mask.
19:26 We couldn't understand people.
19:30 And of course, I couldn't hear my own voice.
19:37 It was like, "Wow!"
19:40 It's like you're thinking, "I'm a singer and I can't hear."
19:46 It was really difficult.
19:48 So, how did you overcome that?
19:51 What kind of healing, what kind of treatment, what kind of adjustments did you do?
19:59 We didn't have to do anything.
20:01 Because Noli was okay with it, but you?
20:05 Actually, it had a far-reaching effect on him because his body was still weak
20:15 because he came from a bypass.
20:18 That's why he was really damaged.
20:21 If I was deaf, he was more deaf.
20:26 It was harder for him to hear, it was harder for him to communicate.
20:31 But you have gone back to your singing.
20:34 Oh, but it's not the same.
20:38 It's not the same.
20:40 Why?
20:42 Because, first of all, since my hearing was not balanced,
20:51 of course, somehow, I was tuned.
20:58 Because you couldn't hear the music.
21:04 Yes, the music.
21:06 You couldn't hear it.
21:08 I would ask the sound engineer to bring up the music,
21:13 but if the music gets louder, I wouldn't be able to hear my voice.
21:16 Things like that.
21:18 So, it was really a struggle.
21:22 But, you know, what can I do?
21:25 This is the current situation.
21:27 You can't self-pity anymore and you have nothing to do.
21:36 As a matter of fact, have you ever thought why?
21:41 Why?
21:42 Why did this happen to you?
21:44 What is God trying to tell you?
21:47 Is He trying to tell you something?
21:50 Have you realized what it is?
21:54 To be honest, I consider this as a trial.
22:05 It's a trial, a challenge.
22:07 Because, just like I said, we all go through different forms of hurdles in life.
22:17 So, this is what I consider as a challenge that God gave to me.
22:24 And you accepted it wholeheartedly.
22:27 Yes.
22:28 And you offered it to Him.
22:29 Yes.
22:31 Because it could be also somehow like a reminder, I guess.
22:43 A reminder to really continue to be resilient and continue to hold on to your faith
22:54 and never lose your hope.
22:58 God is still in the midst of all this.
23:02 That's what I'm thinking.
23:04 No matter what happens in life, you always have to be reminded that God is with you.
23:11 He will never leave you.
23:13 So, what I see is that everything is okay.
23:19 You can't just sit around and do nothing.
23:25 You just have to look at your blessings.
23:28 Yes.
23:29 There are so many blessings that you should be thankful for.
23:34 There are so many blessings.
23:36 Let's call Nolly.
23:38 Let us check with him what blessings he's seeing.
23:43 How long have you been married?
23:45 35.
23:47 Wow! 35 years!
23:50 Am I right, Paps?
23:52 33! You're getting it right!
23:55 Hey, Nolly, come on in.
23:56 Welcome, welcome.
23:58 Before I talk about this, I want to ask you something.
24:03 What is it?
24:05 I have a request for the writer.
24:07 My question is about Canada.
24:10 You mentioned that you had a great show there.
24:13 You had an opera there.
24:15 How did you start your career in Canada?
24:19 In Vegas.
24:22 In Vegas.
24:24 Just a minute.
24:27 What number?
24:29 I'll give you number 6.
24:31 Then, number 7.
24:33 No, 6.
24:35 6.
24:36 Huh?
24:39 I already asked this.
24:42 Why did you decide to leave the Philippines at the peak of your career?
24:47 We'll just give you the info, Miss Lani.
24:51 Just the info on how to...
24:54 So, Lani, you decided, you and your husband decided that you'll go to America, right?
25:14 Yes.
25:15 But, to be honest, we really planned to migrate to Canada.
25:22 So, Nolly started doing research and he's already attending seminars.
25:30 He being an engineer, it's good because Canada has a point system when it comes to your profession or your job.
25:44 So, his points are good because he's an engineer.
25:47 So, that's where we really wanted to go.
25:51 But, our friend in America, Kuya Mendray, found out that we really wanted to migrate to Canada.
26:03 You know, he said, "What's the matter with that? We were invited to go to America again."
26:11 So, he proposed to us, he planned it, and he presented it.
26:20 This is what he was planning for the show that they'll put up in Las Vegas.
26:27 So, that's where the show "The Society of Seven" and Miss Lani Misalucha was made.
26:34 Okay.
26:35 So...
26:36 And you didn't leave there?
26:38 And we didn't leave there.
26:40 And how long have you been there?
26:43 19 years.
26:45 19 years?
26:47 20 years.
26:49 So, you've been there for 19 years?
26:51 I think from 2004, we were there for 2.5 years.
27:00 Then, I had a chance to go home here in 2006, I think, for a concert.
27:07 And then, from then, I went home once in a while, once a year.
27:12 Until now, I've been home more often here in the Philippines.
27:17 Let's call in Nolly.
27:19 Nolly, come on in. Join us, Nolly.
27:22 Nolly, how did you know that Lani is the one you want to be a mother to your children
27:30 and you want to love her forever?
27:35 I have a prayer.
27:37 Okay.
27:38 Sometimes, I pray, I say, "Lord, let me know the one I want to marry for the rest of my life."
27:49 Okay.
27:50 There are series of events that confirmed that it's her.
27:56 Huh?
27:57 Yes.
27:58 Really? Like?
28:00 For example, our family is very religious.
28:05 I was in Makati for a worship service.
28:09 Then, I was in PLM for engineering.
28:14 I met my old friend in my old church in Malate.
28:20 Okay.
28:21 I said, "Hey, I want to go back there."
28:25 In short, when I went back there, the one who gave me a rope so I could meet her.
28:32 Okay.
28:33 So, we met at a youth camp.
28:37 The time that she went back there, because they were in Makati for worship service,
28:42 she went back to their original church in Malate in about November.
28:48 That was also about the same time when I was invited to join the choir in the church.
28:55 So, she went in November, and I went in November as well.
28:59 So, when we were talking, coincidentally, this happened.
29:05 We met at a youth camp.
29:09 It was like a spiritual retreat.
29:12 After that, I followed her.
29:15 For three months.
29:18 Then, it was like someone pushed me to court her.
29:23 "You should court her. She's the girl you like.
29:26 The one you will marry."
29:28 So, when I first courted her, I said, "I like you.
29:34 I think I love you."
29:36 I told her right away, "If you want, I will prove it.
29:39 I will marry you."
29:41 Wait a minute. She's 15 years old. I know how old she is.
29:45 She's only 15 years old.
29:47 You're already 21.
29:49 I was 21 then.
29:50 Actually, I was teaching in UP at CLC.
29:54 I was studying in PIL.
29:56 I was also teaching in UP, in Manila, the outreach program of UP.
30:02 I had a feeling that something was going on.
30:07 I felt something was going on.
30:11 She's the girl.
30:13 I was praying for her.
30:15 She's my prayer.
30:16 So, when I first courted her, I told her right away,
30:21 "Oldie."
30:22 Oldie.
30:23 First court.
30:25 What was your first court?
30:27 I told her right away, "I'm not looking for a girlfriend.
30:32 If you want, I will marry you."
30:34 That was my first court.
30:37 How presumptuous.
30:39 Good thing you're not a pastor.
30:42 What was that?
30:43 Yes, that's how it was.
30:45 Every Saturday, we have a choir rehearsal.
30:49 We meet every Saturday at 5 p.m.
30:52 I was courting her until the day came.
30:55 What did you court?
30:56 You were courting her for 3 months.
31:00 But she had a little bit of a hiccup.
31:03 She didn't want to.
31:05 She said, "We're just friends."
31:09 But I didn't stop until she answered me.
31:14 We only meet on Saturdays and Sundays.
31:19 On Saturday afternoons, we sing Sunday service at 7 o'clock.
31:26 We were a youth choir.
31:29 I can sing too.
31:31 Next question?
31:33 No, no, no.
31:35 You're in the choir.
31:36 You know, Ate Mel, the choir is voluntary.
31:41 There's no audition.
31:43 I can just be the one doing the lip-sync.
31:46 Lip-sync?
31:47 Okay, okay.
31:48 But this has been 33 years.
31:52 I mean, you've been together for 33 years.
31:55 No, 38 years.
31:56 You've been together.
31:57 Because when I courted her, she answered me.
32:02 That was in 1985.
32:04 From June 1st until now, we've been together for 38 years.
32:09 It's only been 2 years, but we've been together for 40 years.
32:12 But you've been married for 33 years.
32:15 Yes, because we've been dating for 5 years.
32:18 That's a long time.
32:20 Yes.
32:21 Before you got married.
32:22 Because I was waiting for her to graduate.
32:24 Oh, I didn't know that.
32:27 I told my parents that I would plan a wedding when she graduates.
32:34 She's already graduating in the business administration.
32:38 She's going to do a portrait.
32:40 Actually, it's a portrait per semester.
32:42 She earns Php 2,000 per night in the band.
32:48 Imagine if it's Php 30,000.
32:51 No, it's not Php 30,000.
32:54 Php 2,000.
32:55 No.
32:56 Yes, piano and singer.
32:59 She likes it.
33:01 I'm earning here.
33:02 She left her studies.
33:04 Oh, okay.
33:05 So, I said, "What should I do with this?"
33:07 You waited for her to get married.
33:10 Yes, I said, "What should I do with this?
33:11 You don't want to study anymore?
33:12 Then, let's continue our marriage."
33:14 Oh, you continued.
33:15 Yes.
33:16 So, you continued.
33:17 That's what happened to us, Ate Mel.
33:20 Yes, it's been a long time.
33:22 38 years.
33:25 Did you prove that you really love her?
33:30 Did Lani's love for you come true?
33:34 Ate Mel, I'll answer three things.
33:36 Three again?
33:37 Okay, let's listen to all three.
33:39 First of all,
33:40 number one, you said 38 years is enough for me to prove that we're together until now.
33:49 That her love is unconditional.
33:51 Second, her being a singer in the show business, in the entertainment business,
33:57 that's also a proof.
33:59 Because that's where you can test the faithfulness of each one of you.
34:03 Because my world is different.
34:05 Her world is different.
34:07 Her career is very challenging.
34:10 You're right.
34:11 Sometimes, I go to FW.
34:13 Sometimes, I'm not there.
34:14 Sometimes, she's not there.
34:15 We know that when you're in the entertainment business,
34:18 the relationships are very challenging.
34:21 The relationship of a person in the show business or in his career.
34:25 I know that.
34:26 That's also a proof that I was able to prove that your love is unconditional.
34:31 In spite of her…
34:34 Exposure.
34:35 Exposure.
34:36 That comes with your career.
34:37 Yes, her exposure.
34:38 Wow.
34:39 Third, we were able to prove that we fulfilled our covenant when we got married.
34:48 There's a saying, "For richer or for poorer in sickness and in health."
34:55 Till death.
34:57 No, I didn't believe in that.
35:00 Because our belief is not till death.
35:03 I believe in both.
35:04 Even after death?
35:05 Beyond death.
35:06 Beyond.
35:07 Our love for each other is eternal.
35:12 Our family is forever.
35:15 That's our belief.
35:17 Before we got married, I told Mel,
35:22 "We will go through trials in life."
35:28 Of course.
35:29 I said, "Even if we sleep under a rope, as long as we're together."
35:35 We agreed to sleep under a rope.
35:37 We had an agreement, but of course, I wouldn't allow it.
35:40 I just said the worst part.
35:43 I said, "Even if one of us gets sick, we will take care of the other.
35:47 We will not leave each other."
35:49 Because we will not bring all of these things when the time comes when the Lord will take you.
35:56 So, we really fulfilled our covenant that we will not leave each other.
36:02 We got to this point.
36:05 We got sick, we had trials.
36:07 I think the Lord gave us the best thing, the trials and problems in life.
36:13 Because that's what will build our character, mold us.
36:17 Because He said, "Be ye perfect, for your Father in heaven is perfect."
36:22 Even if we cannot achieve this perfectness,
36:25 it can be in the other life, but we strive, we try.
36:28 We try to be perfect in our lives, to be righteous living,
36:33 and to be faithful to each other in your relationship.
36:36 Now, we have two children and six grandchildren.
36:39 Wow! It's so nice to hear, Lonnie.
36:42 What he's saying is so nice to hear.
36:46 But I will let Lonnie listen.
36:48 Okay.
36:49 Okay, that's okay.
36:50 Noli, right?
36:51 Yes, sister.
36:52 Are you Noli?
36:53 Are you Lonnie?
36:55 You have already proven that Noli loves you.
37:00 He has already proven it.
37:02 He has no doubt about you.
37:04 Are you the same?
37:06 In many things, yes.
37:08 In many things?
37:09 Yes, because first, like he said, he went to the Jeddah.
37:17 You know, there are so many stories and stories that he told.
37:24 Stories and experiences of our OFWs who are separated from their families.
37:30 So, that's one proof that being apart from one another is not the reason for your relationship to be weak.
37:45 How long was this? How long was he away?
37:48 The first time was usually two years.
37:54 He didn't finish it.
37:55 He really didn't finish it.
37:58 I cried because I always dreamt that I left my son when he was three months old.
38:04 That's his eldest son.
38:06 I dreamt of him every day.
38:08 I went home and I dreamt of my baby, my first child, and I felt sad.
38:14 Actually, that was also a miracle that happened to him.
38:20 You know that it's very strict in Saudi Arabia, right?
38:25 If you are an employee there, they get your passport.
38:29 So, there's no way for you to go home, escape.
38:33 But for me, it was a miracle that he was able to go home.
38:39 Because he didn't finish the contract.
38:43 I prayed.
38:45 You were imprisoned.
38:47 I signed a contract for two years.
38:49 You can't go home. Your passport is with me.
38:52 What did you do?
38:53 I prayed.
38:54 "Lord, I have a problem with the company because I just signed a contract and the salary was delayed for three months.
39:03 I will send it to him."
39:05 You still have a baby.
39:06 I still have a baby.
39:07 I said, "Why is my company like this?
39:09 Lord, please let me go home. I only have three thousand in my salary in the Philippines.
39:13 Let me go home."
39:14 I said, "I miss my son, my husband."
39:17 That's when I proved, Aunt Mel, that money is important, but there's something more important than money.
39:26 You are together.
39:27 We are together.
39:29 That's why I told the Lord, "Lord, I only have three thousand in my salary in the Philippines.
39:36 Let me go home."
39:38 Miracle said, "I got my passport and I'm home."
39:41 How did you get your passport?
39:44 There's a relationship, HR, Human Resources.
39:50 The Filipino is inside.
39:52 He said, "You will just get this. You will pay the bond of six hundred dollars."
39:59 He said, "Okay, I will find a way."
40:02 I have a friend in another company in Saudi. I sidelined to get the six hundred dollars.
40:10 You saved six hundred dollars.
40:11 I paid for it.
40:12 That's why I said it was a miracle and the Lord heard it.
40:17 My first time in Manila, I got a job right away.
40:22 He said, "Nolik, since you taught in UP, let's build a school."
40:28 I didn't have anything to offer, but can I offer you three thousand first?
40:31 The Lord really gave you three thousand.
40:33 What did you pray for?
40:34 What did I pray for? That was my first offer.
40:37 I tried it.
40:39 I prayed, "Will you accept that?" I accepted it.
40:45 That was the beginning.
40:46 That's very specific.
40:48 I prayed, "Let me go home for three thousand."
40:51 I don't know why, but in my prayer, I was told, "I hope I can receive a hundred thousand."
40:58 I just said it.
41:00 In hindsight, what else did you pray for?
41:04 To be honest, this one doesn't have a visual.
41:09 It doesn't have a cigarette, it doesn't have alcohol, it doesn't like to…
41:16 Chica Bebs.
41:17 Oh, Chica Bebs.
41:19 It doesn't have that.
41:20 It doesn't have that?
41:21 It doesn't like to go out.
41:23 Maybe you just don't know.
41:25 Oh, I heard it.
41:27 I heard it.
41:28 I heard it.
41:29 I'm just saying.
41:30 You know, sometimes I'm like, "Oh, your friends."
41:35 Sometimes I feel shy, but I don't want to.
41:37 I want to go home.
41:38 He really wants to go home.
41:39 Because I want to see my two babies right away.
41:43 I thought I was still a baby.
41:45 My two children.
41:47 Lani, is there anything that you have not yet told Noly that you might want to tell him now?
42:01 In front of the whole country and even abroad.
42:06 What is it?
42:07 Do you have anything else?
42:08 Do you have anything else that you want to say?
42:13 Say?
42:14 Well, maybe…
42:16 What I want to say to all of us or to all people,
42:22 whatever your status in life, especially if you're a celebrity,
42:26 if you're famous or you're on the pedestal,
42:30 your feet are always on the ground.
42:32 Yes.
42:33 And the second thing is your companionship, not just with your peers.
42:38 I told him, "When you're at work, cameraman, janitor, security guard,
42:46 treat them equally."
42:49 So I said, "On Christmas, do you have something to give to your staff in the classroom?
42:55 Did you give them security?"
42:57 I told him, "Put your feet on the ground because you don't know what will happen tomorrow.
43:04 You're not always famous forever.
43:06 Maybe you won't be recognized tomorrow."
43:09 Always on the ground.
43:12 Grounded.
43:14 Humility.
43:15 Treat them all equally, not just your fellow artists.
43:19 Treat all of them equally, even Uber drivers.
43:23 Oh, I'm talking about Grab.
43:24 Treat all of them equally, treat them all as your friends.
43:31 Yes.
43:32 That's what I always want to tell him and my advice to him.
43:38 Don't change.
43:39 Humility is there.
43:41 Respect all people, whatever their status in life.
43:45 Treat them equally.
43:47 Because it's easy for your status as a celebrity to be lost in your mind.
43:53 Yes.
43:54 That's why you should always be reminded, "Hey, wait a minute, be grounded."
43:58 I don't have, maybe because of our long relationship,
44:04 we can't really change our relationship.
44:15 For me, it's really…
44:17 Do you have more grandchildren?
44:19 You have a lot of grandchildren.
44:21 You have two children but six grandchildren?
44:23 Yes.
44:24 Actually, there are seven.
44:25 One of our grandchildren passed away.
44:27 Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
44:28 So, there are six of us now.
44:30 Yes.
44:31 That's what I want, to have more grandchildren.
44:34 Because you only have two children.
44:36 Yes, two children.
44:37 That's right.
44:38 Because I'm the first one, I have two children.
44:40 We should have four children.
44:42 But I always believe, I believe that what they talk about is what they call true love.
44:50 That's really true love, what they say is unconditional.
44:54 I believe that you can prove that by being old.
45:02 But there are also many who have been in a relationship for a long time but it's not like that.
45:12 Exactly my point.
45:13 Right?
45:14 That's exactly my point, Lani.
45:15 The year of marriage is very long.
45:17 But the Testament is not the length of the time of being together.
45:23 You may have been together for a long time but it's not that harmonious or genuine.
45:30 So, what do you think, is that a secret?
45:35 It's a faith.
45:36 How is your faith in God?
45:41 God is a big factor in our lives.
45:47 He is in the center of our family.
45:50 I feel that God is always there.
45:53 So, whatever I do, He is always watching over me.
45:59 So, whenever I do something, He is always watching over me.
46:05 Because temptation is all around you.
46:08 And you always pray together.
46:12 But now, we are getting old.
46:15 Sometimes, we just pray our own prayers before going to bed.
46:19 Now, I'm a senior.
46:23 Oh, you're a senior.
46:25 Yes.
46:26 You're quite old.
46:28 The 21 years you were talking about earlier, I'm now 60.
46:31 Yes, imagine that.
46:33 It's been that long.
46:35 So, that's our secret.
46:38 You pray and you believe.
46:42 Until now, you should still hold on to that.
46:44 Always hold on to your faith, your righteous living.
46:50 Don't forget that, especially now that we're getting old.
46:53 Because in August, she's already 54.
46:57 She's still young.
46:59 She's still very young.
47:00 Lani, you're always on TV.
47:04 You're always on the air.
47:06 You're always with your fans.
47:07 You're always saying, "You should do this and that."
47:11 But every time you come home, you're always with your fans.
47:16 Your fans are always cheering for you.
47:19 What's the message that you can leave them?
47:24 I'm really thankful to them.
47:29 I'm thankful to all of you.
47:31 Every time I come home, I'm still surprised because there are still…
47:39 You're already on TV.
47:40 A lot of people are getting you.
47:42 Exactly.
47:43 There are still supporters.
47:46 They're still there.
47:47 Sometimes, I'm surprised that there are still kids who are 15 or 14 years old.
47:55 I'm really thankful to them because they're still there to support me.
48:01 To appreciate your talent.
48:05 They're still there to be there in my shows.
48:09 Maybe they're not that many, but I want them to know that they're a big part of my life.
48:18 I won't be Lani Misalucha if these kids are not there.
48:23 If these kids are not there, they'll go to shows, watch shows, buy tickets.
48:28 They'll save up to buy tickets.
48:30 Exactly.
48:31 Some of them are not well-off.
48:35 They'll really save up if they're from other provinces.
48:40 Yes.
48:41 If the show is here.
48:42 That's why I always remind her when we're together.
48:45 She's like an ordinary Lani.
48:50 Sometimes, she'll go to Binondo or Quiapo or wherever alone.
48:54 Sometimes, we'll go grocery shopping together.
48:57 If someone comes to you and takes a picture,
49:00 even if we're there for an hour, we'll be delayed,
49:04 you should give them a picture.
49:06 It's a joy.
49:07 That's what they do.
49:09 And it's a great joy.
49:12 You gave us the opportunity to be here.
49:16 You two, forever.
49:19 And I thank you very, very, very much.
49:21 Thank you.
49:22 We learned a lot from your love story and your life story.
49:28 Thank you very much, Lani.
49:29 Thank you, Honorary.
49:30 Thank you very much.
49:31 Thank you very much.
49:32 [BLANK_AUDIO]