If you are not Filipino or Filipion-American and not a Fan of Broadway Musicals, you probably have not heard of Lea Salonga. Just recently, I found the following in my Face Book page that I am happy to share. My family's personal interaction with her dated back several years ago, when the Katague Clan was still residing in the suburbs of Washington, DC ( see photo below).
Here's a photo of Lea and my youngest daughter Ditas at a party my family attended at the Marriot Hotel (1999) welcoming then former President of the Philippines Joseph Estrada in Washington DC.
"Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, (born February 22, 1971) is a Filipino singer and actress. Known primarily for her work in theatre, she has starred in musicals on Broadway and in the West End. Her accolades include a Tony Award and a Laurence Olivier Award, in addition to nominations for two Grammy Awards.
Salonga began her career as a child in Philippine musical theatre productions and rose to international recognition in 1989 for playing the lead role of Kim in the original West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon. For her performance, she gained five awards—the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Theatre World Award, and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Her further roles include Éponine in the Broadway and West End productions of Les Misérables, Wu Mei-Li in the 2002 Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song, Fantine in the 2006 Broadway revival of Les Misérables, Kei Kimura in the original Broadway production of Allegiance, Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island, and Aurora Aquino in the original Broadway production of Here Lies Love. In 2023 and 2024, she starred in the West End production of the musical revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends.
As a recording artist, Salonga began her music career at age ten. Her first album, Small Voice, was launched in 1981 and received a gold certification. She later signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records, releasing her platinum-certified self-titled album in 1993. Her subsequent releases include I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (1997), Lea... In Love (1998), By Heart (1999), and Inspired (2007).
On film, she portrayed Lisa in the Filipino comedy Tropang Bulilit (1981), and her performances as Sandy and Agnes in the romantic dramas Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) and Sana Maulit Muli (1995), respectively, were widely acclaimed. Additionally, Salonga provided the singing voice for the characters of Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and the titular character in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004). As a teenager, she hosted the variety show Love, Lea and later appeared on That's Entertainment.
Her television acting credits include Lien Hughes on As the World Turns, Aunt Myrna on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Elodie Honrada on Pretty Little Liars. Furthermore, Salonga has expanded her career to include reality television as a coach on The Voice of the Philippines and its spin-off series, The Voice Kids and The Voice Teens."
All Filipino, Filipino-Americans and the music world should be proud of Lea musical and acting accomplishments,.
Last February 22 was Leah's 54th Birthday
HAPPY 54th BIRTHDAY to the first Filipino who invaded Broadway; the first and only Filipino who won West End's Laurence Olivier Best Actress Award; the first and only Filipino who earned the prestigious Tony Best Actress Award; the first and only Filipino who won Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards; the First Filipino who signed an international record label with Atlantic records in 1993; the first Filipino who landed in several lead roles in Broadway musicales and the Filipino entertainer who prominently placed Philippines in the world entertainment map. Happy Birthday Lea Salonga. We are proud of you forever.
Meanwhile, 
Enjoy this photo of 2 blooms from my Amaryllis Bulb and another bud showing!
Enjoy this photo of 2 blooms from my Amaryllis Bulb and another bud showing!
Lastly my Quote of the Day: Hiroyuki Sanada once said, 'There are those who want a swimming pool in the house, while those who have one barely use it. Those who have lost a loved one feel a deep sense of loss, while others who hold them close often complain about them. Those who do not have a partner yearn for him, but those who have, sometimes do not value him. The hungry would give anything for a plate of food, while the well-fed complains about the taste. The one who doesn't have a car dreams, while the one who has one is always looking for a better one. The key is to be grateful, look carefully at what we have and understand that somewhere, someone would give everything for what you already have and don't appreciate.
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