My little girl has come a long way

Tonight at the Music Museum, Dessa will perform in a solo concert billed as Acoustic Rhythm. Her special guests are Regine Velasquez and Nyoy Volante. It should be an evening of pure magical brilliance.

Time flies so fast. A couple of months from now, silver bells will start to ring while silent nights will hopefully be merrier. How many big summers ago was that when a diminutive girl with a big voice stunned and awakened my "maternal instincts" that I took her under my psychedelic wings?

Dessa became my ward very much like Eliza Doolittle was to Eliza Doolittle Sr., (not Professor Higgins, please!). From the very start, I had so much faith that Dessa had enough (or she had too much) talent to make her an important voice in the music industry.

Dessa and I started from scratch. She had the voice, I had the passion and both of us were not beauty queen material. But what the heck. I figured there was enough space for an amazing talent like her.

I was insanely driven to create that space if there was none. Dessa and I went to SM Boutiques for clothes. In my desire to make her look young and hip, there was a time I bought her dresses fit for my 70-year-old aunt. We went to every kind-hearted designer in search of right clothes. We were looking for a look that we didn’t know what. We often end up having dismal results.

There was a show at Hyatt where one of my well-meaning friends whispered to me in desperation, "Why does your talent look like she’s turning 50?"

It was so noisy, I pretended not to hear her. Dessa’s hair was coifed like a flying saucer and her dress was a human rights violation. I felt so guilty; I wanted to submit myself to DSWD!

Dessa was in her teens. I cringed at the sight of this girl on the Calesa Bar stage. I used my supernatural powers to bear the agony of ignominy. But the young Dessa sang courageously and brilliantly that night.

Hard it may have been to ignore her horrendous look (I was to blame for that), it was harder to ignore the mesmerizing voice. The journey continued. I still couldn’t find the right look.

There was a time I made her wear shorts and sexy outfits. I even had her hair curled. I made her pose on top of the grand piano of the Music Museum.

I even begged Kuh Ledesma to give her lessons in voice and diction. I did everything I could only because I believed in the talent of this young girl and in the kindness of God.

Today, my faith in this girl hasn’t diminished. She might not have become a concert queen but every time I see her drive her brand-new Starex, I weep for joy. The girl who joined Pulse Disco’s Sing Like Your Favorite Singing Star, where I first spotted her, has come a long, long way.

Tonight, when you watch her, remember the journey this girl traveled, and you’ll appreciate her, her music and what life is all about for one who dreamed a better life for herself and her family. A girl who, to this day, never fails to amaze me. But, I promise, I will not dare have her hair curled again. I will always be proud of my little girl, Dessa.

Lani at Onstage

She easily shifts from R&B to classical, from pop to pure jazz. She has certainly come a long way from being the "Multiplex Queen" to Asia’s Nightingale.

Lani Misalucha gives a special treat to fans in a two-night limited engagement performance at Onstage tonight and tomorrow in Loving You: Lani Misalucha Onstage. The Nightingale is set to sing songs from her latest album titled Loving You, such as Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan, Muntik Nang Maabot ang Langit and the title cut.

Audiences will be guaranteed an unforgettable night of great music as Lani teams up with musical director Gerard Salonga.

Loving You: Lani Misalucha Onstage is a production of Maxi-Media International in association with Primeline Inc. Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets in major National Bookstore branches.

God Will Make a Way

In a land where music is a vital means to cope with social concerns, international Christian singer Don Moen reveals, "God has blessed my music in the Philippines, more than any country in the world. I’m honored and humbled by it."

True enough, Filipinos never seem to get tired listening to many, if not all, of Don’s recordings. Recently, Praise Inc. released his album, God Will Make a Way: The Best of Don Moen which contains some of his well-loved songs like God is Good All the Time Medley, I Offer My Life and I Am the God that Healeth Thee.

In line with this, Don embarks on a Philippine tour billed as God Will Make a Way: Don Moen, which kicks off today and continues tomorrow, Aug. 1 and 3 at the Araneta Coliseum. He will also perform at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City on July 27, Cebu Coliseum on July 30 and at the Freedom Ring Amphitheater in Clark Field Pampanga on Aug. 2.

Tickets for God Will Make a Way: Don Moen are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, or through tel. no. 911-5555.