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LEA
SALONGA ON PRAYER |
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Prayer
is a centering force for me.
It gets me calm and relaxed, and focused on what's most important.
It also reminds me from where my gifts came from, and who bestowed
them on me. |
US
ASIANS: As the result of your faith, have you had
the opportunity to form a faith-based support network with other artists
such as Gary V. and Kuh Ledesmo (among others)?
LEA SALONGA: No, I haven't yet.
US
ASIANS: Noting that “We’re very comfortable
praying together" – is there a place (Catholic or Christian)
where Robert and yourself regularly (subject to your schedule) attend?
LEA SALONGA:
We attend Sunday mass at a nearby church – nearby wherever we may
be.
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A
Prayer from Lea |
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A
deeply spiritual person, Lea requested friends to give her strength
through prayer. "I'm writing to ask a small favor... to say
a prayer for me that Monday night goes well," wrote Lea. "A
prayer in any form most comfortable to you would be great... nothing
that would be out of your way to do. It'll really mean a lot to
me to help alleviate some of the stress of the upcoming start to
the run."
"Wish
me luck - rather, to paraphrase (director) Tito Freddie Santos,
we can't wish you luck, but we can wish you Jesus. Even the littlest
wish for a good night will go a long way."
My faith is very important to me. It keeps me grounded and centered,
and gets me through some tough times.
For more info, click HERE
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US
ASIANS: Acknowledging your faith-based lives (Catholic
and Rob’s Christian faith), have you ever and/or would you consider
participating in outreach events such as the Billy Graham Crusades, TBN
– Christian television network, Rev. Robert Schuller’s Hour
of Power television program and/or events with people such as Gary V.Michael
Chang in Asia?
LEA SALONGA: I videotaped a Catholic special that
came out on the Hallmark Channel not too long ago. It centered on Asian
Catholics and their place in the greater Church.
US
ASIANS: Noting your request (see below) for prayer
support before a major performance through private mailing lists and the
Internet (via Usenet), how important is your faith in providing the ability
to perform at your very best.
"This
Monday, January 18 is the opening night of my return to Miss Saigon...
and I'm going nuts," Lea wrote. "Although the cast, production
team, and many of my friends and family are optimistic that the show
will go well, it's still intimidating for me, and terrifying. The last
time I performed in this show was in March 1992, almost seven years
ago. That's a long time to not be doing something."
"Although
I've racked up some serious performing time on other projects - and
gained a considerable amount of confidence in the process - this show
is not just any show," she added. For starters, the part of Kim
is one tough sing, hitting both the top and bottom of my vocal range.
Add to that fast costume changes, running around in platform heels on
an inclined stage, and firing a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun (and
singing with it holstered in a gun belt pressing against my abdomen
for a good 20 minutes or so)... and this is just the first act! My greatest
worry though is my voice: if I can hit those high notes when I need
to (and correctly), and if I can sustain a high level of performance
six shows a week for the next four months."
LEA SALONGA: My
faith is very important to me. It keeps me grounded and centered, and
gets me through some tough times.
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Her
strong sense of her Catholic faith was one of the reasons Lea was
chosen to host Hallmark Channel's "Harmony In Faith" that
premiered on Sunday, February 13,2005 on "The World of Faith
and Values," on the Hallmark Channel.
No matter what part she plays, in whatever venue or medium, she
brings one thing to each — her strong commitment to her faith. "My
faith has pulled me through a lot of rough spots in my life and
my career. My relationship with God is pretty good. I try to keep
it as personal as possible." "For me, going to confession
is very cathartic. It's like going to therapy—you just don't
see the other guy, they forget you and they never bill you . . .
It was important to represent my country as an Asian Catholic and
it was a chance to show my faith. My faith is extremely important
to me. " |
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The program
profiles music, communities and deep faith of many within the Asian
and Pacific Catholics such as the Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese,
Korean, Kmhmu (Laotian), Samoan, Tongan and Asian Indian populations. |
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Program
is a video response to a pastoral document that continues to call
the Asian/Pacific Islander community in the U.S. "rich in their
diversity, yet one in their yearning for peace and fullness of life."
The
Bishops call on the American Church to welcome this new wave of
immigrants and to celebrate their presence in the United States.
"Everyone in the world has different needs,"
Salonga
said, "and the Catholic Church has welcomed those who wish
to join regardless of where they are or who they are or where they
come from. It's the one religion that unifies all these people all
over the world, even as different as they might be."
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| Salonga
says she was pleased to be asked to host Harmony in Faith. "I
think it was pretty important to do. I felt it was a calling because
my business isn't just all about singing and making people happy that
way." |
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America's
fastest-growing immigrant group, more than 350- thousand Asian and
Pacific Islanders arrive in the United States every year, a 48 percent
increase in the past decade. |
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Lea
states that "There were nights when I was doing Miss Saigon in
London and in New York when I was waking up in cold sweats because
of the pressure of the show…I was just praying, just praying
that I get through it." |
CHARITIES
US
ASIANS:
What is your selection process in what charities (see below) to support?
LEA SALONGA: We support charities that we feel do
the best they can to help people, where we know the funds will go to the
people that need them the most.
| Lea's
Charities |
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Lea
has supported 1995/Typhoon Angela/Music & Miracles Concert,
Home for Christmas Concert (with Ogie Alcasid, The Company, Christian
Bautista and Erik Santos)/Bantay Bata (childen’s welfare foundation
of ABS-CBN 2) and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS |
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US
ASIANS: In light of the recent tsunami disaster in
Asia, what type of charities are you (Robert and yourself) supporting
that addresses the great needs that exists in the past, present or in
the near future in the affected countries? Note: There are great organizations
(i.e. Red Cross, Music for Relief, etc.) that are providing financial
resources and other charities (i.e. PATA Tsunami Relief Fund – http://www.pata.org/tsunami
- the AAA Celebrations – http://www.tinseltownonline.com/aaa - will
be donating their net proceeds to this fund) that are encouraging people
to support the affected countries’ main economies (i.e. tourism)
that will provide the most lasting benefit and ability to rebuild their
respective homelands.
LEA SALONGA:
Rob and I donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
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Lea's
Words to Aspiring Artists |
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Determining
if one has the talent; |
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Train with a good teacher and practice; |
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Try your luck at auditions and seeing one’s results; |
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If you get into a show, work your butt of and strive for nothing less
than perfection and: |
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Always be on time for everything |
ADVICE
US
ASIANS: Supporting your statement “that everyone
should be able make money from doing work that they would like to do.
Too many people are languishing in jobs that, although may give some financial
sustenance, doesn't sustain the soul. "I'm fortunate to be living
that kind of life, doing what I love to do for a living" –
what advice would you give to aspiring Asian/Asian Pacific American artists?
LEA SALONGA:
Do some soul-searching and ask yourself what kind of life you want to
lead. Aspiring artists also need to know that
| When
asked how she wanted to be remembered, Ms. Salonga replied,
"As someone who tried and did her best at everything
she did…
as someone for whom `good enough' wasn't good enough." |
US
ASIANS:
You’ve often described yourself as “Perfectionist.
Professional and Patient” –
could you share why these words are important?
LEA SALONGA:
Simply put, I do my best at what I do... I take my work very seriously...
and know that nothing that's worth having comes quickly or easily.
OUR THANKS
US ASIANS: Our personal thanks and appreciation
are extended to Lea for taking the time from her busy schedule to answer
these questions that confirm and described the passions that defines your
artistry to your countless fans. Our best wishes and support are extended
to Lea in all her family, business and artistic endeavors in the future.
