Still Lani: Celebrating 40 years of an unbreakable voice

Asia’s Nightingale, Lani Misalucha, returns to the stage with Still Lani — a triumphant celebration of her 40-year journey in music. But more than a comeback, this is a testament to survival, resilience, and unbreakable artistry.

Produced by Backstage Entertainment and directed by Calvin Neria, with musical direction by Toma Cayabyab, Still, Lani features a 40-piece orchestra and a setlist that spans her illustrious career — from her 1997 breakout album More Than I Should to classics like "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin," "Tila," and "Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin."

Lani’s voice has captivated audiences worldwide, crossing genres and generations. She has performed with global icons such as Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, and in 2004, made history as the first Asian artist to headline a Las Vegas showroom. Dubbed the "Siren of the Strip," she shared "Best Singer" honors with Celine Dion and even had days named after her in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Her legacy as a Filipino music icon is undeniable.

But behind the glamour and accolades lies a private battle that almost silenced her forever.

The silent battle that changed everything

“Mahirap rin kasi talaga i-pinpoint kung how it exactly happened. Number one, na-ingest namin mag-asawa.”

(“It’s really hard to pinpoint how it exactly happened. First of all, my husband and I ingested something.”)

Doctors confirmed they had both contracted bacterial meningitis from contaminated meat.

“To make it short, sabi ng doctors, naka-ingest nga kami ng bad meat… especially with the brain, sa meningis part of the brain, ayun talaga ang nag-destroy sa amin.”

("To make it short, the doctors said we ingested bad meat… and the infection especially affected the meninges part of the brain. That’s what really destroyed us.")

Her husband fell into a coma. Lani survived, but the disease took a lasting toll, particularly on her hearing.

“Ang effect ng bacterial meningitis na ‘yun was deafness. Vestibular disorder. And meron din ang tinnitus. So, for a while, hindi ko talaga nakayanan kumanta. Now, we’re partially deaf. Sa right ear. It was really a difficult time for me. Because, syempre naman, singer ako.”

("The effect of that bacterial meningitis was deafness. Vestibular disorder. And I also have tinnitus. So for a while, I really couldn’t sing. Now I’m partially deaf in the right ear. It was really a difficult time for me. Because, of course, I’m a singer.")

She now lives with single-sided hearing loss—90 percent of her hearing is gone, and what she hears is often distorted.

“Yes, nagsintunado talaga ako noon… kapag yung sound masyadong malaki at maingay, nagkakaroon siya ng distortion…”

("Yes, I sang off-key back then… when sounds are too loud or noisy, they get distorted.")

She even questioned her identity and endured emotional isolation.

“I went through that phase wherein, should I say, nagkaroon ng depresyon? I don’t know if I’m going to admit it. I don’t know if it was actually depresyon na ‘yung naramdaman ko. Pero alam mo, mahirap i-describe. Parang ayaw mong kumilos. Number two, you don’t want to socialize.”

("I went through that phase—did I have depression? I don’t know if I can admit that. I don’t know if it was actually depression. But it’s hard to describe. You just don’t want to move. You don’t want to socialize.")

Despite the immense struggle, Lani chose not to give in to bitterness.

“Mahirap siya, pero what can we do? Magreklamo ka ba? Ito na yun, ito na yung binigay ng tadhana. Ayaw ko sabihin na binigay ito ng Panginoon Diyos, hindi. Nangyari ito eh, hindi naman sa magiging careless naming mag-asawa. Trial ito eh. Kasama ito sa buhay. So, it’s just a matter of accepting it.”

("It’s hard, but what can we do? Will you complain? This is it—this is what fate gave us. I don’t want to say this was given by God, no. It just happened. It wasn’t because we were careless. This was a trial—part of life. So, it’s just a matter of accepting it.")

“Yun lang siguro talaga ‘yung key to it. Acceptance. Kasi kung hindi mo ma-accept, wala. You’re just going to feel really hurtful, magiging spiteful ka sa buhay. So, ito na yun. At least buhay. Nakaka-function pa. Nakakalakad pa. Kahit papano. Kahit natutumba-tumba.”

("That’s probably the key—acceptance. Because if you don’t accept it, you’ll just feel hurt, you’ll become spiteful about life. So this is it. At least I’m alive. I can still function. I can still walk. Somehow. Even if I stumble.")

A voice reclaimed

Now, five years after the life-altering illness, Lani Misalucha stands tall once more.

In Still, Lani, she not only revisits her greatest hits, but also introduces new songs like "Timeless My Love" and "I Rise to the Top" — anthems of strength, healing, and hope. The concert is her bold statement to the world: that no silence, no pain, and no setback can silence the heart of a true artist.

Lani has not only returned — she has reclaimed her voice, still and stronger than ever, with “Still Lani“ happening this 21 August, at The Theatre at Solaire.