Lea Salonga: A star in Hollywood, a National Artist next?
MANILA, Philippines — Lea Salonga became the first-ever homegrown Filipino artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 4, marking another huge milestone in a career that began on a Manila stage and through the years helped open doors for Filipino performers around the world.
“Long before Hollywood, long before Broadway, there was Manila,” Lea, who debuted at seven in a Philippine production of “The King and I,” said during the ceremony, where she was recognized in the Live Performance category.
“I was a little girl in the Philippines who loved to sing and perform. I started working when I was very young and I certainly didn’t have some grand plan for how any of this was supposed to unfold,” she said.
“This career has taken me to places I never imagined I would go, introduced me to some extraordinary people and allowed me to keep doing what I love.”
Lea acknowledged the many people who had helped her get there.
“There’s something funny about a star like this because there’s only room for one name. Mine. But no career is ever the work of just one person. So if they made this star big enough, there would be a lot of other names on it.”
First among them was her family. Lea recalled how her mother, Ligaya, used her own money to record her first album and brought copies to stores.
“Using her hard-earned money to record my first album, she loaded pressed vinyls into our family car and went door to door to stores back home selling copies.
“She was my manager for decades, my champion my whole life. None of this happens without her.”
She described her brother, Gerard, as her first duet partner, favorite accompanist and the finest musician she knew. She also paid tribute to her son, Nic, who had begun his own journey into acting and entertainment.
“He is an inspiration, the bravest person I’ve ever met.”
Lea thanked the people who had supported her both personally and professionally. These included her teachers, directors, composers, lyricists, fellow actors, musicians, crews and representatives, as well as the audiences who had followed her through different roles and projects.
“Some of you heard my voice coming out of Princess Jasmine (in ‘Aladdin’) or Mulan before you had any idea who I was. And some of you have stayed with me through all of it. Thank you.”
Her reflections also turned to the opportunities available to Filipino and Asian artists today.
“When I began my career, I didn’t see very many people who looked like me doing the things I dreamed of doing on the world’s biggest stages and screens. There wasn’t an obvious road,” she said.
“And over the years, I have watched that world begin to change. Not enough, not completely, but it has changed.
“There are so many extraordinary Filipino and Asian artists working today, telling our stories, playing roles we once could have never imagined being offered, and creating new opportunities for future generations. That means an enormous amount to me.”
Lea hoped that her star would become a source of encouragement and hope for Filipino kids with dreams of performing.
“I hope that someday a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here, too.’”
“And to everyone who walks down Hollywood Boulevard in the years ahead, please feel free to step on me,” she quipped.
“Maraming-maraming salamat. What an extraordinary journey this has been. And the best part is I’m not done yet.”
During the ceremony made possible through the efforts of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Manila International Film Festival, Lea was joined by Filipino-American artists H.E.R. and Darren Criss, actress Ming-Na Wen and singer-actress Brandy.
Veteran actress Dolly de Leon was among the Filipino actors and celebrities who attended the event.
“It was an emotional day for all of us. She finally got her star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame and this seals the presence of Filipino artistry in Hollywood. We’re not going anywhere and Lea made this possible. She continuously opens doors for all of us Filipinos and we couldn’t be more grateful and proud,” Dolly told The STAR.
This latest development has also drawn recognition from Philippine lawmakers. Sen. Erwin Tulfo has proposed Senate Resolution No. 635, seeking to commend Lea for her Hollywood Walk of Fame recognition. The measure cited her achievements in theater and entertainment, and the pride she has brought to the country.
Following the Hollywood achievement, talks have resurfaced about why Lea should be considered and declared a National Artist in the future. The Order of National Artists is the highest national honor given to Filipinos who have made remarkable contributions to the development of Philippine arts and culture.
Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Jose Javier “direk Joey” Reyes believes Lea’s accomplishments and the opportunities she helped create for fellow Filipino artists make a strong case.
It was the award-winning filmmaker who directed Lea opposite Aga Muhlach in the box-office hit “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal,” following her success in London’s West End.
In an interview with this writer, he particularly shared a memory of working with Lea that has stayed with him over the years.
“Our location set in Antipolo had a piano. One day, Gerard came over and started to play and Lea started singing. The shooting stopped as we all were mesmerized/hypnotized by her singing a song from ‘Miss Saigon.’ I can and will never forget that,” he recalled.
On a separate occasion, Lea sang Sana Maulit Muli at a birthday party direk Joey hosted, inspiring the story he wrote for what would become another box-office hit of a film, starring the tandem of Lea and Aga again, and directed by Olivia Lamasan.
“Since then, she (Lea) never ceased growing as an international artist gaining an iconic stature on the world stage,” he further told The STAR.
“More so, she did not only break the glass ceiling for Asian performers to gain recognition over and beyond the altruism of inclusiveness. She opened the doors wide open for other Filipino artists to find their place onstage, onscreen and in the musical world.
“If only for her groundbreaking achievements and the manner she gave other Filipino artists the chance to be recognized and affirmed, the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is most deserved and the stature of being a National Artist may yet be in the horizon,” Direk Joey said.
But what does Lea think of a National Artist honor?
She previously addressed the possibility in a 2025 interview with this paper, saying she would actually want the late Comedy King Dolphy to be named first rather than her.
“Actually, it’s a really wonderful honor to have, but for me, I feel like it would be absolutely wrong if I got it before Dolphy,” she said.
“Ganun na lang. Kailangan mauna siya.”
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