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SPECIAL FEATURE COMMENTARY INTERVIEWS BUSINESS INFO
BOOK
REVIEWS |
A Lea Salonga Interview
CAREER
GOALS LEA SALONGA: Simple. A few years with Repertory Philippines will shape you up better than the army could.
LEA SALONGA: Oh, I don't know... Elphaba in Wicked is a good one... haven't thought of any others. US ASIANS: What factors were involved with not having aspirations for acting and concentrating on musical theater to taking acting lessons in preparations for future dramatic parts? LEA SALONGA: I just like to stretch myself to places that are scary and seemingly unreachable. I like increasing my skill level, and broadening my horizons. It's always fun to learn something new about what I do. US ASIANS: Did your experience in your “game experiment” in participating in David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” in Manila provide additional motivation? What were some of the many differences and/or things that you’ve discovered about acting between your portrayal in “The Bad Seed” and “Proof” – as the result of your maturity and experience in musical theater? LEA SALONGA: Proof only showed me that there was so much more to learn. It was a humbling experience, in that it showed me that I had a lot of rice to eat still before I can consider myself truly skilled. US ASIANS: Is your training in the craft of acting includes the ability to act on stage and on film? LEA SALONGA: Each medium is very different, and it takes a particular skill level to excel in each one. It's strange, there are some film actors that can't do theater, some theater people that can't do film, and others that can straddle the fence and be comfortable in any medium, in any style. That's what I'm aiming for. Eventually I hope to get there. US ASIANS: In addition to Barbara Streisand and Steven Spielberg, which people within the entertainment industry would you like to work with and/or meet? LEA SALONGA: Jodie Foster... Simon Cowell... oh, just about anyone out there who's doing good work. FILIPINO PRIDEUS ASIANS:
Noting your ongoing efforts of Filipino pride (i.e.
Bayo’s “Filipino and Proud” programs), which performer(s)
– from Tia, Rob Schneider, Lalaine, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kuh Ledesma,
Gary V., Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, Enrique Iglesias, Regine Velasquez,
Apl de Ap from Blackeye Peas, Mutya Bueno of Sugababes, Ernie Reyes and
many others - do you feel best represent the same ideals that you support?
LEA SALONGA: I don't know which of these performers share the same ideals that I support. I don't know them beyond being professional acquaintances for some, and total strangers for the others. From what I've observed, Apl de Ap maintains his Philippine-ness wherever he goes, which makes me feel good.
BAYO LEA SALONGA: I'm not an active endorser of Bayo at the moment, but I do wear their stuff. The tag line has also changed since my campaign. US ASIANS: What are the current goals of Bayo, recognizing its aggressive and dynamic revitalization efforts seen in its concentration of actively targeting the fashionable youth market? LEA SALONGA: You'd have to ask Ferdie Agustin that. US ASIANS: Recognizing your preference of wearing the comfortable clothing of Bayo (which is Ilongo for clothing), will they be incorporated with your concert performances and are they participating in your upcoming U.S. tour as a sponsor?
LEA SALONGA:
Nope,
my costumes for the show are more dressy. They're really costumes for
stage use.
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