NEWSFLASH

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LEA ABOVE ALL
Special to PHNO By Alex Jimenez, Newsflash Entertainment Columnist

From Manila, July 12, 1998 - The sweet singing voice of Mulan in the forthcoming Disney animated film of the same title is none other than Lea Salonga. Alone, of all her countrymen, she has achieved the virtually impossible: become an established name in the American entertainment circuit. Both esteem and name recognition are rare privileges seldom bestowed to Asian performers in a white-dominated industry. Though not yet a major player, she has landed parts that have caused starry-eyed Filipinos around the world to hold their head up high.

"It's not as if I'm like Princess Diana. I am not even a household name to most people outside the Philippines. Being a celebrity brings additional responsibility for me because you become a role model to those who look up to you. What I do enjoy most of all is the chance to work."

Starting out as the lead performer in "Miss Saigon", Lea's thespic skills have led on to other roles in shows, theaters and the movies. She is the only Filipino performer to have won a Tony award.

Like Mulan herself, Lea is a flower whose beauty and fragrance blossomed amidst trouble. Luck may have played a role in her penetration of London's West End or New York's Broadway, but it was the persistent and diligent devotion to career and craft. For one whose very lifeblood is performing before discriminating audiences, Lea rarely plays to the gallery in real life. The poised handsome woman is a distant cry from the impulsive prodigy who in her younger years suffered from what she herself describes as "a major case of foot-in-mouth disease."

"I never intended to offend anyone, but I would rather be honest about my opinions. Now, I try to be as diplomatic as possible so that others may listen to what I truly want to say, rather than get turned off by taking offense. It is not a matter of being politically correct, but just being considerate of other people's feelings and sensibilities."

To her adoring fans, Lea's rise may seem effortless. "Really, it isn't. Having won a Tony or sung in the Oscars did not guarantee work. I won the job of doing the singing voice of Mulan after having gone through auditions. I also auditioned for the part of Mulan but didn't get that. So you see, I'm just like everybody else who has to apply the part. You get a part when you have the qualities being sought by the producers in a certain role," she pointed out.

Still, there have been instances when racial prejudice reared its ugly head. "I remember there was this show where I wanted to audition but did not get even get considered because the show's producers wanted a white person for the part. My agent told me that I was rejected outright. I don't think one's nationality should matter, only that the one who wins the part gets it because he or she happens to be the most qualified performer to fulfil the demands of the role." she rued.

That rejection only fueled her desire to prove to one and all that she is capable of doing her best in every role that comes her way. The opportunity came when she took on the lead role in Cameron McInstosh's "Les Miserables".

"I didn't have to go through an audition for that role. They knew what I was capable of. I was determined to do my utmost. The lead character may have been white; still, I wanted to show all that I was the best person for the role. I wanted to prove that being a woman and an Asian didn't make you less of a performer than anyone else. You see all these manifestations of racial extremism in the US today. Skinheads, white neo fascists preach hate toward women and minorities. There is neither reason nor logic for their actions. We all have to live together in this world. I think that I made my point by coming off with a powerful performance in that play. When I won the Tony, it made everyone sit up and notice that it wasn't the color of one's skin or gender or race that counted, only that one can do justice to the role," she zealously declared.

Lea's eyes were opened to the plight of women and minorities only when she stayed in the US. "It's not like here, where women aren't really second class citizens and race has never been an issue. I think that "Mulan" is better than "Aladdin" because its central characters is a woman, an Asian woman at that, unlike "Aladdin" which focuses on a traditional male hero. Mulan's story is all about what women can do in spite of adversity. That is what women's empowerment is all about."

She's gained so much confidence that slurs about her figure no longer bother her. If anything, Lea has turned out to be a confident and poised young lady out to take on all the opportunities and challenges that the world may throw in her direction.

Although she has been living in a radically different social clime, Lea has remained staunchly and proudly Filipino. "Wherever I go, I carry the name and honor of my country. I do my best to excel because it reflects on my homeland. This even more important now."

Has her sojourn in America turned her more into a westerner than a Filipino? "Nothing could be farther from reality," she asserts. "There, we Filipinos speak in the vernacular among ourselves. If anything, my command of the vernacular has greatly improved. Unlike when I was a kid here, my Tagalog was really terrible. I could only be thankful that during the time I was working with director Leroy Salvador in "Captain Barbell", everyone on the set was so helpful and patient in assisting me with my language skills. Although it isn't perfect yet, my Tagalog isn't all that bad."

Truth is, although she speaks with a distinct East Coast twang, she perfectly understands Filipino and speaks it every chance she gets. It is just too bad that Lea's visit is part of a promotion junket for Mulan. That leaves her little time to work on local projects.

That isn't of much concern to Lea. She doesn't have a grand plan for her career. "The big breaks I got earlier like "Ms. Saigon", singing at the Oscars, and winning the Tony might never come by again. I just want to go on enjoying my work, and improving my skills. So far, all the comments I have received regarding my work were constructive even if they were critical. All of that helps toward perfecting my craft. I don't really program things. There's my agent who is always on the lookout for possible roles. I'll be perfectly happy if things stay the way they do right now." she said.

Not to say that Lea isn't aiming for anything higher. If there is one dream role she hopes to act out, it's Evita.

"I've seen it on Broadway and watched the movie. I guess Madonna was perfect for the role.And Antonio Banderas? Gosh, isn't he sexy!" she gushed. "But still, that role would only be a possibility later on. I still need to acquire the maturity for it. Still, I am looking forward to that day."

Even more than getting a big break or playing her dream role, family comes first for Lea. "There is nothing in the world that I wouldn't do for my family. In fact, I moved to Boston to take care of Gerard when he stayed there. When the time comes for me to have my own family, I will give up anything for my children because my mom was always there for me every step of the way. Knowing that made me emotionally secure."

With her priorities all in the right places, her dreams soaring high and her feet firmly anchored to the ground, Lea's opportunities can only lead on to bigger and better things. Above all, Lea Salonga, the Filipina flower whose achievements is our nation's glory even in times of adversity is the loveliest blossom of all. (AJ)