06/14/2003

‘Change a Life’ with Lani Misalucha

By Lai Suarez–reyes

 

She’s been teased all her life for the way she looks and the way she talks. Born with a bilateral cleft lip with no palate, Genalyn Amar, 10, of Occidental Mindoro, finds it difficult to eat and speak.

 

However, Genalyn’s life is about to change. Her cleft lip and palate can be corrected through your help.

The Mabuhay Deseret Foundation (MDF), the largest surgical charity in the Philippines, has tapped nightingale Lani Misalucha and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga, to do a benefit concert at the Music Museum on Thursday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m.

Titled, “Change a Life”, the concert will literally and figuratively make a difference in the lives of children who need medical treatment.

According to Saydi Shumway, MDF country director, “Change a Life” shall be a unique concert because 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the foundation.

“Normally, organizers would give 10 to 20 percent of the proceeds to charity. This concert is different. There is no outside company which will benefit from the show except the foundation,” she explains.

Founded by an American doctor, Bill Jackson, the US-funded foundation has worked silently, providing indigent people with free surgery for such cases as cleft palate, clubfeet, crossed eyed, cataracts, burn contractures and post polio complications.

He was touched by the number of people, especially children, afflicted by such handicaps. The suffering and embarrassment these infirmities cause prompted Dr. Jackson to establish a permanent organization to help those in need.

With the support of well-meaning Manila doctors, the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation was born. Now on its 15th year, the foundation has performed nearly 30,000 surgeries, averaging 3,000 operations annually.

“When Dr. Jackson returned to the United States, he formed an umbrella organization called Deseret International. He asked his friends, colleagues and relatives to be part of the project. We are now in 20 different countries but most of the funds come from the American benefactors,” Saydi notes.

Saydi and her husband Jeff have been in the Philippines for half a year now as Mabuhay volunteers. They are in charge of the concert project, which hopes to raise funds for indigent patients.

“This is the first time we are doing this. It’s actually the idea of one of our board members, composer Mon del Rosario, who happens to be Lani’s friend,” Jeff adds.

Upon finding out that Mabuhay Deseret needed a fundraising project for the children, Lani volunteered her services for free.

“Lani is no stranger to the foundation. In fact, she has visited our ‘house’ in Cubao, Quezon City, with husband Noli. She serenaded 15 children seeking medical treatment. Not satisfied, Lani returned. This time, she stayed longer and read stories to the children and interacted with them,” recalls Saydi.

We learned that Lani’s gesture had an instant domino effect. People called up the foundation to offer their services… for free!

Among them were Gerard Salonga and the 10-piece Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, production manager Melu Abrilla and Maro Garcia, light designer Tonet Abrilla, among others.

“Even the venue, Music Museum, is for free. When Lani starts something, people step up and volunteer. That’s one of the philosophies of the foundation. We’re like a beehive… everyone contributes to make something sweet,” Jeff adds.

Concert tickets are priced at P2,500 (gold) which is equivalent to one minor operation, say a cataract removal or cleft palate. It is available at Dome Café and Mabuhay Deseret Foundation office.

“If you’ll watch the concert, you actually help one patient. So for the price of a pair of sunglasses, you can help someone regain her sight… or for a pair of expensive running shoes, you can help someone walk again,” Saydi enthuses.

According to Saydi, each peso they raise for the concert will be matched by American donors two to one.

“If someone buys a ticket for P2,500, the US donors will kick in P5,000. So if we fill up the Music Museum, we’ll be able to support 15,000 patients. We’re counting for your support. Let’s all do our share in changing one’s life for the better,” adds Saydi.