NATIONAL UNIVERSITY-LAGUNA

READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

INTERIM ASSESSMENT 2

TERM 2 FINALS, A.Y. 2021-2022

Biography of a prominent Filipino

“LEA SALONGA”

Submitted by:

AGUILAR, CHERRY MHAY M.

SANTOS, VINCE ARNOLD B.

YSUG, ALEXIS P.

Submitted to:

MR. ESPIRITU, JOHN PATRICK

Introduction

What is it about the Philippines that Filipinos may brag about? Despite the

numerous negative comments that seem to overwhelm the positive, there are

multiple reasons to be proud of. Every Filipino should be proud to call themselves

a Filipino. The Filipinos are known across the world for exceptional talents that are

often neglected or underestimated, but which yet give the country pride. They

should be proud of their creativity. While being creative is not a uniquely Filipino

attribute, it is distinguished by the skill, expressiveness, originality, and humor that

define Filipino creativity. Aside from world-renowned Filipino musicians and

performers, our country is home to several visual artists, fashion designers,

animators, and other creative types. On the worldwide stage, Filipinos are striking

breakthroughs, primarily in the entertainment, creativity, and design industries.

Lea Salonga’s contribution to Philippine contemporary art is one of the

milestones that the Philippines should be proud of. She was one of the Filipino

singers who brought pride to the Philippines, receiving numerous accolades,

presenting, and being acknowledged by well-known people throughout the

world, including Queen Elizabeth II. External influences such as exposure, peer

and familial influence, and the activities we listen to music during influence our

musical tastes, as well as internal preferences for rhythm, harmony, timbres,

structure, and lyrics. Pop music is more popular in our country than theater music.

In comparison to pop singers, Broadway singers like Lea Salonga are often

undervalued and underrated. Music with symphonic elements is frequently

composed by Broadway vocalists. Pop vocalists, on the other hand, are known

for writing music with simple patterns and rhythms that appeal to a wide range of

listeners. With these, there may be an issue with a lack of understanding and

appreciation for theatrical music. There will be little research and publications

concerning the music genre if there is a lack of understanding, which may lead

to many people's everlasting disinterest.

Context/Brief Summary

Lea Salonga, a multi-award-

winning actress, and singer is known

across the world for her strong voice

and impeccable pitch. She is most

recognized for her appearance in

Miss Saigon, which earned her a Tony

Award. She has also won the Olivier,

Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and

Theater World Awards, in addition to

the Tony. She was also the first Asian to Lea Salonga, 19 years old

portray Eponine in the Broadway production of Les Misérables, and she returned

to the drama as Fantine in the 2006 revival. Many fans of all ages remember Lea

as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan from Mulan
and Mulan II; the Walt Disney Company conferred the designation of "Disney

Legend" on her for her depiction of the famous princesses.

Background information

Birth name: Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga

Born: February 22, 1971 (age 51) Manila, Philippines

Genres: OPM pop musical theatre

Occupation(s): Singer, actress

Instruments: Vocals

Years active: 1978–present

Labels: Atlantic, Arista, Capitol, EMI Philippines, Sony Music Philippines,

WEA, Walt Disney, ABS-CBN, GMA Artist Center, GMA Network

Website: leasalonga.com

Early Life

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, born February 22, 1971, in Ermita

Manila to navy rear admiral Feliciano Genuino Salonga and María Ligaya

Alcantara, née Imutan of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. Salonga stayed in

Angeles City, Pampanga Province, for 6 years, and then she moved back to

Manila. Salonga's aunt used to come to their house when she was three years old

to babysit her and play the guitar while Salonga sang. Salonga made her

professional theatrical debut in The King and I as a seven-year-old in 1978. She

went on to have a successful theater career as a kid, performing in musicals such

as Annie and The Sound of Music before releasing her first solo album, Small Voice
(1981), at the age of 10. Salonga went on to host her musical TV series, Love, Lea

after the album was declared gold in the Philippines. She continued to perform in

musical theater throughout her adolescence and published her second album,

Lea Salonga, in 1988. In Asia, it became multi-platinum. At the age of 18, she

debuted in the West End as Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, a role she later

performed on Broadway.

Salonga also had numerous television productions as a kid actress under

GMA Radio-Television Arts throughout the 1980s. From 1983 until 1985, following

the success of her debut album, she had her musical television show, Love,

Lea,[10] and was a member of the cast of German Moreno's adolescent variety

show That's Entertainment. She appeared in films such as Tropang Bulilit, Like

Father, Like Son, Ninja Kids, Captain Barbell, and Pik Pak Boom, all of which were

aimed towards families. Salonga got a nomination for Best Child Actress from the

Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) in 1980, 1981, and 1982, as

well as three Aliw Awards for best child performance. She released her second

album, Lea, in 1988.

She completed her secondary school at the Operation Brotherhood in

1988. The OB. Montessori Center is located in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.

She also participated in an extension program at the University of the Philippines

College of Music focused on developing musically talented youngsters in music

and stage movement. When she auditioned for Miss Saigon, she was a college

student studying biology at the Ateneo de Manila University with plans to pursue
a medical profession. Later, while working in New York, she attended two classes

at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus.

Lea Salonga (Center) as Mulan (Right) and Jasmine (Left)

Salonga was chosen to play Kim in the London premiere of the musical Miss

Saigon in 1989. Salonga, then 17, decided to perform Boublil and Claude-Michel

Schönberg's "On My Own" from Les Misérables for her audition and was then

requested to sing "Sun and Moon," impressing the audition panel. Salonga has

said that "On My Own" was the catalyst for her worldwide career. Salonga was

picked as the protagonist, while her childhood friend and fellow Repertory

Philippines star Monique Wilson was cast as the barmaid Mimi. Salonga received

the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1990 for her portrayal

as Kim, making her one of the award's youngest recipients. When Miss Saigon

premiered on Broadway in 1991, she reprised her role as Kim, winning the Drama
Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Awards, as well as becoming the first

woman of Asian origin to win a Tony Award. She returned to Broadway in 1993

and 1996 to portray Kim. Salonga was asked back to London in 1999 to end the

West End show, and in 2001, at the age of 29, after concluding the musical's run

in Manila, she returned to Broadway to close that production.

Lea Salonga holding her (prestigious) Laurence Olivier (1990) and

Tony Awards (1991) trophy for Best Actress in a Musical.

Salonga appeared in A Miss Called Lea, a homecoming concert in Manila

in 1990. President Corazon Aquino also presented her with a Presidential Award

of Merit. She was voted one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in

1991. She was the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film

Aladdin in 1992. Salonga originated the part of Éponine in the Broadway version
of Les Misérables in 1993. She and Brad Kane sang "A Whole New World" from

Aladdin at the 65th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, where the song won

an Oscar after previously winning a Golden Globe.

From 1997 to 2000, Salonga

recorded and performed in the

Philippines, as well as another

engagement in London, as well as

a couple of returns to Miss Saigon in

London and on Broadway. In 1997,

she published I'd Like to Teach the

World to Sing (recordings from her

The Voice of the Philippines
youth) to gold sales in the

Philippines. That recording was followed by Lea... In Love in 1998. and By Heart in

2000, with both albums reaching multiple platinum status in the Philippines. She

was one of four coaches for the ABS-CBN show The Voice of the Philippines, along

with apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, and Bamboo Maalac, which debuted in June

2013. Salonga launched a concert tour in the Philippines named "Lea Salonga:

Playlist" in December 2013, commemorating her 35 years in show business.

Salonga published a book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, which she utilized

as a souvenir program for the concerts. She returned to The Voice of the

Philippines for the second season in 2014, and she also joined the new Philippine

edition of The Voice Kids, where she has featured for three seasons. Salonga
recorded a song called "Wished That I Could Call You" for the charity compilation

album Children In Need, which was released in March 2014. She also toured in

Asia and North America with Il Divo in 2014–15.[116] In mid-2015, she headlined

her concert series in Australasia. Salonga reprised her role as Kei Kimura in the

2015–16 Broadway production of Allegiance.

Salonga received two additional Aliw Awards in 2016, one for Best Major

Concert in a Foreign Venue and her second for Entertainer of the Year. The

following year, she was one of the mentors on The Voice Teens.

In 2019-present, Salonga plays Aunt Gail, a

Filipino immigrant, in Yellow Rose, a musical film

that premiered at the 2019 Los Angeles Asian

Pacific Film Festival. She also performed

throughout North America and the United

Kingdom that year. Later that year, in Manila

and later Singapore, she played Mrs. Lovett in a

production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon

Barber of Fleet Street. Salonga is set to play a

Salonga at the 74th Tony
recurring character in Pretty Little Liars: Original
Awards in 2021
Sin. She also voices a character in Centaurworld.
Personal Life

Salonga married Robert Charles Chien, an American managing director of

an entertainment software firm in Los Angeles, California, of Chinese and

Japanese descent, whom she met while playing in Flower Drum Song, on January

10, 2004. They have one child. Salonga is also a big video game fan. She splits her

time between the Philippines and the United States. Salonga was designated

Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

on October 15, 2010. (FAO).

Salonga has received recognition for her command of her voice, which

can create a broad range of emotions and soundscapes. Salonga has sung

"simple love songs," which are typical in Original Pilipino Music, in her popular

music releases. In both Disney Princess singing roles, Jasmine and Mulan, Salonga

employs head tones that extend up to F5.

Lea Salonga discography:

Solo recordings

Small Voice (1981)

Lea (1988)

Lea Salonga (1993)

I'd Like to Teach The World To Sing (1997)

Lea... In Love (1998)

By Heart (1999)
Lea Salonga: The Christmas Album (2000)

Songs from the Screen (2001)

Inspired (2007)

Lea Salonga: Your Songs (2010)[150]

Bahaghari [Rainbow]: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines

(2017)

Cast recordings

Miss Saigon (Original London Cast Recording) (1989)

Little Tramp (Studio Recording) (1992)

The King and I (Hollywood Studio Cast Recording) (1992)

Aladdin (Soundtrack Recording) (1992)

Mulan (Soundtrack Recording) (1998)

Making Tracks (Original Cast Recording) (2001)

Flower Drum Song (Revival Cast Recording) (2002)

Mulan II (Soundtrack Recording) (2005)

Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia (Soundtrack Recording) (2008)

Cinderella (Original International Tour Cast Recording) (2010)

Allegiance (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2016)

Once on This Island (First Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (2018)

Video/Live recordings

Hey Mr. Producer: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (1997)

Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert (1995)

Lea Salonga Live Vol. 1 (2000)

Lea Salonga Live Vol. 2 (2000)

The Broadway Concert (2002)

Songs from Home: Live Concert Recording (2004)

Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary (2010)

The Journey So Far – Recorded Live at Cafe Carlyle (2011)

Live: Jazz at Lincoln Center (2016)

Blurred Lines (2017)

The Story of My Life: Lea Salonga Live from Manila (2019) with the BYU Chamber

Orchestra

Lea Salonga in Concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2020)

Compilation albums

100% Lea Gives Her Best (2003)

The Ultimate OPM Collection (2007)

Featured recordings

Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection (2004), for the song "If You
Can Dream" (sung with Susan Logan, Grey Griffin, Jodi Benson, Paige
O'Hara and Judy Kuhn)

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams (2007), for the songs
"Peacock Princess" (sung with Gilbert Gottfried) and "I've Got My Eyes on
You"

Shelldon (2008), for the song "It's a Brand New Day"

 Sofia the First (2014), for the songs "The Ride of Our Lives" (episode 12: "Two
to Tangu") and "Stronger that You Know" (episode 36: "Princesses to The
Rescue")

Education: Attended Ateneo De Manila University, 1988–89, and Fordham

University, 2000.

Religion: Roman Catholicism.

Avocational Interests: Music, reading, collecting raised–trunk elephants,

collecting swatches, working on computers.

Career: Actress and singer. Performed in concerts in the Philippines, the United

States, and elsewhere.

Member: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actors' Equity

Association, Screen Actors Guild.

Awards, Honors, and Nominations:

FAMAS Awards

2005 Winner, Golden Artist Award

1996 Nominee, FAMAS Award Best Actress, Sana maulit muli (1995)

1982 Nominee, FAMAS Award Best Child Actress, Tropang bulilit (1981)

Gawad Urian Awards

1996 Nominee Gawad Urian Award Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na

Pangunahing Aktres), Sana maulit muli (1995)

Grammy Awards
2019 Nominee, Grammy, Best Musical Theater Album, For "Once On This Island"

Metro Manila Film Festival

2008 Winner, MMFF Award, Best Theme Song Dayo (2008)

MTV Asia Awards

2002 Nominee, Regional Awards, Favorite Artist: Philippines

Online Film & Television Association

1999 Nominee, OFTA Film Award, Best Music, Original Song, Mulan (1998)

Stage Appearances:

1. The King and I (musical), Repertory Philippines, Manila, Philippines, 1978.

2. Title role, Annie (musical), Manila, Philippines, 1980.

3. The Rose Tattoo, Manila, Philippines, 1980.

4. The Bad Seed, Manila, Philippines, 1981.

5. The Goodbye Girl, Manila, Philippines, 1982

6. The Paper Moon, Manila, Philippines, 1983.

7. The Fantasticks (musical), Manila, Philippines, 1988.

8. Kim, Miss Saigon (musical), Theatre Royal, London, 1989–90, then Broadway

Theatre, 1991–93. Eponine, Les Miserables (musical), Imperial Theatre, New

York City, 1992.

9. Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady (musical), Repertory Philippines, 1994.

10. Witch, Into the Woods (musical), Singapore Repertory Theatre, Singapore,

1994.
11. Eponine, Les Miserables in Concert, Royal Albert Hall, London, c. 1996.

12. Sonia Walsk, They're Playing Our Song (musical), Singapore Repertory

Theatre, 1999, then Manila, Philippines, 2000.

13. Best of Manila (benefit show), 2000.

14. Homecoming (concert), 2000.

15. Millennium (concert), 2000.

16. Songs from the Screen (benefit show), 2000.

17. Miss Saigon, Manila, Philippines, 2000.

18. Mei–Li, Flower Drum Song (musical), Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, 2001,

then Virginia Theatre, New York City, 2002–2003.

19. Catherine, Proof, Manila, Philippines, 2002.

20. Something Good: A Broadway Salute to Richard Rodgers on His 100th

Birthday, George Gershwin Theatre, New York City, 2002.

21. Songs from Home: The Concert (concert), Philippine International

Conference Center, Pasay City, Philippines, 2003.

22. Lizzie, Baby (musical), Meralco Theatre, Manila, Philippines, 2004.

23. Appeared as Sandy Dumbrowski, Grease (musical), Team Image

Entertainment, Manila, Philippines; in the musicals Fiddler on the Roof and

The Sound of Music, both Manila, Philippines, and the musical Making

Tracks; and in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Performer in the concerts Music Tells a

Tale (concert), Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA; and an anniversary

concert for Miss Saigon, London, 1999.

Major Tours:

Eponine, Les Miserables (musical), beginning c. 1996.

Film Appearances

1. Lisa, Tropang bulilit, [Philippines], 1981.

2. Angela, Like Father, Like Son, Viva Films, 1985.

3. Rosemarie, Captain Barbell, Viva Films, 1986.

4. Yoko, Ninja Kids, Viva Films, 1986.

5. Rosie, Pik pak boom, Viva Films, 1988.

6. Dear Diary, Viva Films, 1989.

7. Sandy, Bakit labis kitang mahal, Octo Arts, 1992.

8. Singing voice of Princess Jasmine, Aladdin (animated), Buena Vista, 1992.

9. Agnes, Sana maulit muli, Star Cinema Productions, 1995.

10. Singing voice of Fa Mulan/Fa Ping, Mulan (animated), Buena Vista, 1998.

11. (Uncredited) Voice of Jasmine, Mickey's PhilharMagic (animated), Walt

Disney, 2003.

12. Singing voice of Fa Mulan, Mulan II (animated), Buena Vista Home Video,

2004.

13. Appeared in the Filipino film I Wish It Happens Again.

14. Voices of Satsuki and Mei's mother for the English version, Tonari no Totoro

(anime; also known as My Neighbor Totoro), Toho Company, 1988, dubbed

version released in the United States by 50th Street Films, 1993.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that she has accomplished much and is an inspiration to

people all over the world, proving that no matter where you come from, you can

always make your dreams come true; despite the numerous negativities coming

to hinder your way. Lea Salonga, truly exemplifies what it means to be a versatile

talent who can transition between fields, although her name has been kept quiet

for a while, as evidenced by the attention she is receiving today in comparison to

new singers. Nevertheless, all of her achievements have become landmarks for

Asian talents, in general, to be recognized around the world. Also, she's one of

the most well-known names in both local and international theater where she

gives us an outstanding performance and leads her to multiple recognition that

makes way for our artists and performers to gain more confidence, as the theater

isn't always well-liked by the public in our country, especially now that everything

is underappreciated and overlooked. Today's youth are obsessed with pop music,

ballad, and international singers, and they are easily swayed. But, at the very

least, we should make time to listen to our locals and show some interest in getting

to know people who have a huge influence on us. It doesn't need lovely

compliments to appreciate it, hear them through their music. “I think I will always

be performing; I don't think I can take that away. Because I really just enjoy it. I

like getting up to sing; I like the challenge of learning new material and singing it

in front of an audience.” – Lea Salonga

Recommendation

In the light of the analysis and the study’s findings and conclusions, the

researchers were able to construct the following recommendations:

1. Invest in learning more about theatrical music. When you have a better

comprehension of artwork, you may recognize how it was created as well

as the author. Just like recognizing theater music. You can grasp how

theater music works if you have a thorough understanding of the genre.

When conducting a profound comprehension of the music, not only the

song but also the artist can be recognized.

2. Support local. By further analysis, people are indeed more interested in

international artists, leaving our local artists behind. Local artists provide

more to the country than just gorgeous displays, so it’s helpful to keep

encouraging them. It is necessary to promote them since they are one of

how our country expresses Filipino culture, and they are also individuals who

may convey pride to our country with their artistic abilities. Supporting your

local artists does not have to be a difficult or expensive activity. Advertising

may be done quickly and easily through social media. It is possible to

increase their exposure by sharing their work with your friends.

3. Hype up beginners and aspiring artists. It is a huge step to venture outside

of your comfort zone and attempt new things, especially because we all

know how difficult the music industry is, especially in our nation. Local artists,

like those stated in the last recommendation, typically receive little

attention, which can discourage beginners. It feels weighty, stuck, and

gloomy when you're discouraged. When something prevents you from

pursuing your passion, you will be extremely frustrated. The person's regular

productivity may be replaced with a sense of hopelessness, and it may be

difficult to keep going. However, if these beginners are encouraged and

supported, their self-awareness and self-confidence will improve, leading

to career advancement and success.

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