Lani Misalucha mourns the passing of her mother Esperanza: ‘You slipped away like a quiet song’

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Last week, singer Lani Misalucha sadly shared the news that her mother Esperanza Bayot had passed away last July 3, Thursday.  The talented performer, more popularly known in the country as ‘Asia’s Nightingale,’ revealed the news with a series of posts on her Instagram account. It included black and white snapshots of her mother, who was also a talented singer and was known as a coloratura soprano. Lani’s classical vocals can be attributed to both her parents who were a huge influence in her beginnings as a singer. Lani’s father, Benjamin de Guzmán Bayot, was also an opera singer. </p><p>In her interview with the TFC talk show <em>BRGY</em> last May, Lani shared a look into her childhood and how her parents were the ones who encouraged her to perform for their house guests.  </p><p>“Masasabi ko na nalaman ko lang na nakakakanta ako, only because we&#x27;re Filipinos. And Filipino parents would be like this. Pag may bisita sa bahay, andyan si auntie, andyan si ninang, andyan si kapitbahay. Pag nandyan sa bahay, di ba gano&#x27;n mga Filipino parents, they would force you to sing in front of their bisita proudly,” Lani recalled.  </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17518490527252.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: lanimisalucha IG </span></span></span></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FLaniMisaluchaOfficialpage%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02Q1GMPkSnKDxaJNwsEDyiJeh4B4NvsfsZTjfaPQXmfFzaS6q1ZNxvszcWmAPzLX1Dl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>  </div><p>In her July 4 post, Lani shared a beautiful photo of her mother looking comfortable in front of a microphone. The caption read, “A mother’s love is eternal. Though she may be gone from this world, her love remains forever wrapped around our hearts.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17518489911451.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: lanimisalucha IG</span></span></span>In another post, an obviously grieving Lani, shared more photos of her mom in more unguarded moments. She wrote, “A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.&quot; - Unknown” </div><p>Her colleagues in the industry like Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Jaya, Vina Morales, DIngdong Avanzado, Arnel Pineda shared supportive comments. Singer Kuh Ledesma, wrote in one comment, “Deepest condolences from me n Isabella. May the Lord of comfort be with u and those who loved your mom at this time.🙏🙏🙏❤️”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17518492288253.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: lanimisalucha IG</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17518492435084.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: lanimisalucha IG</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/19/exclusive-lani-misalucha-looks-back-on-her-40-year-long-career-in-showbiz-0905"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Lani Misalucha looks back on her 40-year long career in showbiz</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>It was in July 4 when Lani Misalucha first shared a solemn post on her Instagram account of a candle, along with the caption, “Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day - unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.’ Her succeeding posts simply said, ‘God be with you till we meet again,’ and ‘You slipped away like a quiet song, but your melody still plays in everything - in the light, in the breeze, in the love you left behind,’ which prompted her fans and friends to share their condolences for Lani.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17518492760645.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></span></span></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17518492959766.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2020/2/20/fresh-scoops/lani-misalucha-looks-back-on-her-concert-career-15863"><strong>READ: Lani Misalucha looks back on her concert career: ‘Hindi ko alam na magiging singer pala ako’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Lani shared the details of her mother’s wake. It will be held at St. Peter in Biñan, Laguna with the interment happening on July 8, Tuesday at The Heritage Park in Taguig City.</p><p>Having started her singing career singing in the choir at church before performing with various bands and as a commercial jingle singer, Lani released her debut album <em>More Than I Should </em>under Alpha Records in 1997, followed by several more albums. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004 and held the distinction of becoming first Asian artist to headline in major venues in the famous Las Vegas Strip until 2008.  Earlier this year, Lani revealed she suffered partial hearing loss in her right ear after suffering from bacterial meningitis in 2020. </p><p>In a recent interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the 55-year-old performer shared how she has been able to be successful in her career for over four decades now. </p><p>“I don’t know if there’s a certain secret or a formula but I just try to do the things that I know are right to do. I do get along with everyone, I try to treat people special, try to treat everyone equally, whether they are in the highest position in the company all the way down to the janitors. I treat them special and treat them as a person, as a human being,” she explained. </p><p>Lani is set to hold her 40th anniversary concert titled <em>Still Lani</em> this coming August 21 at the Theater at Solaire in Parañaque City.</p>

<p>Lani Misalucha shared the news of the passing of her mother, former opera singer Esperanza Bayot, last July 3.</p>

Lani Misalucha shared the news of the passing of her mother, former opera singer Esperanza Bayot, last July 3.