LEA SALONGA- an INTERnetVIEWSeptember, 1994 PART 1 (COMPUTER RELATED QUESTIONS) INTRODUCTION(by Lee Quesada) We can't think of a better place to do the interview with Lea Salonga than the Internet. There was no need to book an appointment and go through the usual red tapes. We composed the questions on our IBM-compatible PC at times most convenient to us (ie, at night in the absence of a Toronto Blue Jays game to watch). Next, we unplugged our telephone set and connected our modem to the phone line. Using a communication program called Telix, we had the modem phoned CRS Online (a computer bulletin board service in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada) and sent (uploaded) our questionnaire to Lea. This upload process took no more than 3 minutes. The questionnaire was then transmitted by CRS Online to the various intermediary networks on the Internet until it reached its destination- America Online (where Lea has her Internet account). Lea, who has her home base in New York City, was in California at the time of our interview shooting her latest movie, Redwood Curtain (due for showing next February at ABC). Luckily for us, she carries a laptop computer with her (a Mac) which allowed her to logon to America Online anytime, anywhere. In less than a day, we got our questionnaire back from Lea with all her wonderful answers. In this unique interview, we came to know Lea's inner beauty and quiet intelligence. Thank you, for this opportunity, Lea! From here, we share with our readers in Toronto the joys and pleasure she gave us during the interview..... [The following is the full text of our Interview with Lea Salonga done last September, 1994 via the Internet. Only part of the interview appeared in the printed edition of the QC CHATTER due to space limitation]. PART I (COMPUTER RELATED TOPICS) Lea: I use a Macintosh Performa 405 using System 7.1P5 and a Macintosh Powerbook 180 using System 7.1.
Lea: Games, games and more games! Budgets, expenses, color painting and drawing applications.
Lea: I use a Personal Laserwriter 300.
Lea: Yes, I do.
Lea: A few hours every day, at least 2-3.
Lea: I find it easy to use AOL compared to other services. It has the GUI that makes things easy to find. I've been using it for over a year.
Lea: I must receive around 30-40 pieces of email a day. From the Philippines? Around 10.
Lea: I wrote my first article when I first saw the
newsgroup. There was some stuff I had to respond to when I saw it. I found it by searching
for Filipino/Philippines newsgroups using the search command of AOL. QC: What other newsgroups (aside from SCF) and AOL forums do you monitor? Lea: I also check out the rec.arts.theatre.musicals, rec.arts.tv, and alt.tv.lois-n-clark groups.
Lea: I save a few of the articles if they're especially funny or moving. Same foes for the mail.
Lea: As of now I don't have a publicist, and my manager isn't as well-versed in the email world as I am. I don't know why people think I don't personally read the email I receive, especially when the answers I give could only be given by me. There is information not even my manager knows.
Lea: It's a great way to pass the time for one, and I am able to gather news and information as well as popular opinion from here. It allows for easy communication with other users...it's a good way to make new friends. PART 2 [SHOWBIZ STUFF]QC: At what age did you start your acting/singing career? Lea: Seven years old in a production of "The King And I."
Lea: I intend to concentrate on having a family life and raising children and being married.
Lea: I don't know who directly influenced my style, although I do remember hearing The Carpenters, The Osmonds, Abba and Olivia Newton-John being heavily played when I was growing up.
Lea: I cherished doing Miss Saigon and Les Miz the most. Miss Saigon because it was the first big break I got internationally, and Les Miz because no other Asian woman had ever played that role on Broadway.
Lea: Love- the performing, the work, the emotional gratification, the people I get to meet, traveling, press conferences. Hate- not knowing if someone comes close because he/she genuinely likes you, or because you're a celebrity, the waiting around, very long days, long nights, performing in winter, other celebrities who are snobs, negative write-ups, invasion of privacy by some members of the press, fans who pinch and cause other forms of physical pain. The good stuff cancels out the bad stuff though...and it's all worthwhile in the end.
Lea: I travel to and from Manila so I still maintain my career over there. You could say I am "bi-regional" in that way. I will probably settle down in Manila for good when I get married (if I marry someone from Manila) as I think it's a great place to raise children. Hopefully when the time comes for that, that will still hold true.
Lea: My mom, agent, lawyer and manager help me make decisions about projects to accept and those to turn down, and in general make moves that will be beneficial to my career.
Lea: What??? No "all of the above?" Seriously, I would pick (c), just because I feel most comfortable on stage.
Lea: I think the industry in the US is more professionally run compared to the Philippines. We still have a lot to learn, as the Americans do have a long tradition of theatre and movie-making. Punctuality is one issue, plus good writing, and just basically getting things done as smoothly as possible.
Lea: I have no problem with the trend as long as the people running are truly qualified to lead the country as representatives in the Senate and Congress, as well as in other political positions. If the candidate is banking purely on popularity to win and not his ability to lead the people, then I am not in favor of it at all.
Lea: I played that role for a total of 2 years and three months, in both London and New York. I left the Broadway company in March 1992 and have not played the role since. Because I've already done the role in two productions, I don't feel it would be right to do it again. Another young lady should have the opportunity to do it.
Lea: I didn't have a boyfriend while I was in Miss Saigon (speaking of which, I no longer have one, but he did see the show shortly after it opened in New York) so no one was bothered.
Lea: No, I didn't have to, but the director did tell us what it was like (he went to a couple in Manila).
Lea: They were just being gracious hosts, and took me to see the Princess Of Wales theatre while it was still under construction. They also took me out to dinner and treated me to a night of Les Miserables. I was never offered the role in the Toronto production.
Lea: Nope, not yet.
Lea: Perhaps, but nothing in the very near future.
Lea: I don't think so. Matters like this are
usually done the old-fashioned way: faxes and telephone calls! QC : Filipinos living abroad have mixed feelings towards the Ruffagate scandal. On one hand, there are those who were embarrassed by the incident receiving worldwide coverage. On the other hand, some people think it should not bother them at all. How did you feel? Lea: As an actress I was shocked that anyone would even try this, especially in the presence of the Mayor of Manila! I was disappointed that people I had met in the business were involved in something like this...all I hope is that no one will try it again in the future. It should not be forgotten.
Lea: If the benefits outweigh the costs, then it was indeed worth it. If not, then it was a waste of time. Hopefully because of the telecast promoting our country's scenic spots, more tourists will consider visiting the Philippines. PART 3 [MISCELLANEOUS STUFF]QC: How young are you now? When's your birthday? Lea: I am 23 years old, and my birthday is on
February 22. QC: What kind of a man are you looking for as your lifetime partner? Lea: Someone kind, understanding, humble, secure with himself, intelligent, with a great sense of humor, affectionate, considerate, good with children, and of course, cute!!! He must be someone beside whom I can wake up every morning and not ask myself, "WHY???"
Lea: Two or three.
Lea: Only if the two are married. Then they'd better be living together!
Lea: Yes. There are marriages that are not good for either the man or the woman (for example, cases of adultery or physical abuse). Thus it is better for both if the marriage was dissolved. I know of a few unions that were better off broken; that's the way life goes. The divorce however should not be taken advantage of, and I still believe in marriages lasting forever.
Lea: A typical weekday? Right now, I get up at 6AM and dress up to get ready for work which usually starts an hour or so later. then I work a 12 hour day before going home. When I don't work, I usually stay in bed until late morning then either go to dance class or the gym.
Lea: On Saturday, I go to a dance class or a gym, then on Sunday I go to mass.
Lea: It's called "Redwood Curtain" and it will be shown or ABC in February before Valentines.
Lea: To play: volleyball and table tennis. To watch: basketball, gymnastics, figure skating.
Lea: No, I didn't finish, but I go through one year of pre-med at Ateneo.
Lea: I plan to go back for the Christmas holidays, and will probably stay for a couple of months. Hopefully longer.
Lea: I think because the opportunities for professional advancement are greater here...for example, I don't think I would have gotten the opportunities I have been getting if I stayed in Manila. Doctors salaries are higher here, and the nurses earn much more. There are sacrifices to be made of course, but the professional climb is better.
Lea: He's truly trying to make things better. The country has indeed improved since going under his rule. It's still early to say.
Lea: She could have done better. A lot of the administration was of "purging" the country of all reminders of the Marcos regime, even some of the good things. I personally didn't see too much improvement during her time.
Lea: History has already chronicled enough of it. No more needs to be said.
Lea:
Lea: The day I got an A in my Math final (Ateneo).
Lea: Yes, attend mass every Sunday.
Lea: An Oscar, an Emmy, and a Grammy in my cabinet.
Of course they have to be mine. End of Interview WHO PROVIDED THIS INFORMATIONThis interview was conducted by Rey Carolino and Lee Quesada for the FALL, 1994 edition of the QC CHATTER, a newsletter published by the QC Ventures for the Filipino community in the metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada area. The QC CHATTER is now part of the FILIPINO TODAY community newspaper published by Jun Cruz <bh470@torfree.net>. Back issues of the QC CHATTER Newsletters are available in the FILIPINO COMMUNITY COMPUTING SECTOR (FCCS) of the Toronto Free-Net which is accessible by TELNET to: torfree.net. Login as "guest" in small letters. At any command prompt, type "go fccs" to go to the FCCS Main Menu. Choose "Filipino Publications- Online Edition" from the main menu. (c) Copyright 1994 - 2005 |