Actress Lorna Tolentino admits that December will be her
lowest point this year. Of course, in
25 years, she's used to celebrating Christmas with her husband, late actor Rudy
Fernandez, and their two sons Ralphe and Renz.
However, this changes since she's still mourning for losing her husband
because of peri-ampullary cancer last June.
Despite this, the 46-year-old found a diversion by doing the inspirational album that she did with Rudy's close friends in show business. Star Records created the second installment of the HOPE CD titled Wings of the Soul. This will be released during the first week of December.
While doing the album, Lorna said that being busy helped her deal with the problem of missing her husband so much.
"Noong ginawa ko ang H.O.P.E. CD, mas na-lessen 'yong mga iniisip ko na pagka-miss ko lalo na kay Rudy. Siyempre busy 'yong mind mo kapag nagtratrabaho ka. Kapag nag-iisa ka na lang doon mo maaalala. Pero kapag busy ka, siyempre, at least 'yong mind mo doon focused sa ginagawa mong trabaho," the actress explained last night, November 26, after the contract signing with ABS-CBN at the 9501 Restaurant, ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.
In an interview, Lorna related to PEP (Philippine Entertainement Portal) that the people who are close to Rudy participated in the creation of the album. Aside from the two songs that she sang, "Far From Home" and "Kalooban Mo," Lorna said that Rudy's best friends also offered songs in the album.
Rudy's female best friend Sharon Cuneta gave her rendition of "Special Memory." "Binagay lang namin kay Sharon. Kumbaga, 'yong lyrics noon is for her, for a friend to sing as his only lady best friend," said Lorna.
Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada together with Philip Salvador sang a slightly modified version of "Doon Lang." Meanwhile, Tirso Cruz III sang his own composition titled "Awit ni Daboy," which was played during the wake of Rudy at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.
Veteran actors Christopher de Leon, Edgar Mortiz, and Ricky Davao revived the song "Stand by Me," which was very special to couple Lorna and Rudy. The actress told PEP, "Talagang gusto rin naman namin ang 'Stand By Me' kasi makikita mo talaga na throughout na lahat ng friends talagang naka-'stand by me' sa lahat ng trials namin."
Another memorable song included in the album is "Let It Be," which was surprisingly sang by actor Aga Muhlach. Lorna recalled that her husband started to like this song when he performed it during a concert with his best buddies.
"Kinanta ni Rudy sa Zirkoh," she remembered. "Hindi ba bigla silang nagkaroon ng concert, silang apat, with Tirso, silang lima. Biglang gustung-gusto niya ang 'Let It Be.' So, 'yon, inaral pa niya 'yon kay Annie Quintos, nag-voice coaching pa kami noong time na 'yon."
The rest of the songs include a medley of "I Will be Here" and "I'll be There" by Piolo Pascual, "Ikaw Lamang" by Gary Valenciano, and "My Life is in Your Hands" by Jamie Rivera, which she also sang during the burial of Rudy.
Like its first volume, HOPE Volume Two: Wings of the Soul will benefit cancer foundations such as Pinky Cares Foundation and the newly-registered Rudy Fernandez Cancer Foundation.