RP’s Lea Salonga: a Negrense
Mich
RP’s Lea Salonga: a Negrense
The country’s pride, international artist and multi-awarded singer Lea
Salonga, who will stage a concert dubbed “Lea… Your Songs” Friday, at
the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, in Bacolod City, is a
Negrense.
Her mother Ligaya Alcantara Imutan hails from Pulupandan, Negros
Occidental. Ligaya’s father, Leo Imutan, once served as mayor of the
town, a press release from Lea’s website furnished by Bobby Magalona
of the concert organizing group Gawad Kalinga, said.
Born Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga to Feliciano Genuino Salonga and
Ligaya Alcantara Imutan, Lea spent the first six years of her
childhood in Angeles City, Pampanga, before moving to
Manila.
At the age of seven, she made her professional debut in the
Philippines by performing in the musical “The King and I” by Repertory
Philippines.
She has since appeared in other productions, such as Annie, Cat On A
Hot Tin Roof, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rose Tattoo, The Sound Of
Music, The Goodbye Girl, Paper Moon, The Fantasticks, and Flower Drum
Song, the press release said.
Lea began her professional music career at the age of 10 when she
recorded her first album, “Small Voice,” which received a Gold record
in the Philippines. She has also hosted her own musical television
show, Love, Lea, and opened for Stevie Wonder during his 1998 concert
in Manila.
At age 13, she won three Aliw Awards for Best Child Performer from
1981 to 1983. In 1983, her sophomore album, "Lea" was released. The
young Lea also appeared in several popular family-oriented Filipino
films in the late 1980s such as Ninja Kids, Captain Barbell and Pik
Pak Boom, the press release said.
Those who wish to buy ticket for Lea’s Bacolod show may visit Café
Bobs Lacson, Gawad Kalinga office and Robinsons Mall, SM City Bacolod
and the USLS Coliseum, or call Gawad Kalinga at Tel. Nos. 433-4718 and
457-1004, the press release added.*
Mich
IN BACOLOD
Lea Salonga concert set
Lea Salonga will render world-class entertainment to Negrenses at a
concert called “Lea… Your Songs” Friday, at the University of St. La
Salle Coliseum, in Bacolod City, a press release from organizers said.
Lea, whose mother hails from Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, has
starred in several Broadway musicals in New York, and has won various
international awards, including the prestigious Tony and Olivier
Awards.
Last year, she played the lead role in Cinderella, the Broadway
musical for its Asian tour and just recently she was again selected to
be “Isabella” in the American Broadway musical CATS that will be in
Manila in July 2010.
The show will also feature Comedy Concert Queen – Ai ai de las Alas
and Reymond Sajor, 2007 Voice of the World Champion, the press release
said.
Accompaniment will be the 32 piece Filharmonika Orchestra under
musical director Gerard Salonga. The show will be directed by Bobby
Garcia who also directed Cinderella the Musical for the Asian tour.
The show is being presented by Gawad Kalinga to help raise funds for
its growing work of building communities for the poorest in the
province, the press release said.
To date, GK has 46 communities in Negros Occidental and has built over
1,200 homes through the support and donations of various individuals,
families, corporations and organizations.
Tickets for the concert will be available at Café Bobs Lacson, Gawad
Kalinga office and Robinsons Mall, SM City Bacolod and the USLS
Coliseum, and those interested may call GK at Tel. nos. 433-4718 and
457-1004, the press release added.*
Mich
Lea Salonga arrives for Bacolod concert
International artist and world-renowned singer Lea Salonga arrived in
Bacolod yesterday together with 2007 Voice of the World Champion
Reymond Sajor and the 32 man FilHarmonika Orchestra in preparation for
her concert today, a press release from organizers said.
From the airport, Lea went around the city in a motorcade that
welcomed her presence. In the afternoon, she did a campus tour
visiting University of St. La Salle, St. John’s Institute, and St.
Scholastica’s Academy where she gave a talk to students and encouraged
to develop their God-given talents, and use it to make a difference in
the lives of others especially the needy.
Fr. Emil Ascano, principal of St. John’s Institute who used to be
Lea’s high school teacher in O.B. Montessori, introduced her as an
exemplary student who would excel in her studies despite her hectic
schedule as a child star. Lea graduated as valedictorian of her class.
The students in all three schools gave her a rousing welcome and were
inspired by her talk, the press release said.
After the campus tour, Lea and her party visited the Gawad Kalinga
Riverside Village in Purok Riverside, Banago where hundreds of the
residents, inspired by her visit gave her a warm welcome, the press
release said.
She took time to meet the children and had pictures taken with them.
Lea is helping Gawad Kalinga’s work in Negros Occidental and her
advocacy is education for the youth. While in the GK village, Lea also
met with the American GK volunteers from Chicago who were building
houses together with the local residents. Robert Chien, Lea’s husband
who is from California also joined them, the press release added.
Gawad Kalinga Negros is sponsoring the concert “Lea…Your Songs” which
also features special guest Ai ai delas Alas who is known as the
country’s comedy concert queen. The concert will be at USLS gym 7:30
p.m. January 8.
Due to the expected big crowd, concert goers are encouraged to come
early. Limited tickets are still available at Café Bobs Lacson, SM
City, Robinsons Place and at the USLS Coliseum, the press release also
said.*