Personal Life and Education
Lea Salonga was born on February 22 1971 to her father, Feliciano Genuino Salonga and her mother, Ligaya Alcantara Imutan and spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City before moving to Manila. She has a brother named Gerard Salonga who is an orchestral conductor. She studied and finished her secondary education in 1988 at the O. B. Montessori Center in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, where she was a Bergamo 1 Student and an active participant in school productions. She also attended the University of the Philippines College of Music's extension program aimed at training musically talented children in music and stage movement. A college freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University when she auditioned for Miss Saigon, she later took two courses at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus while in between jobs in New York. On October 15, 2010, Lea Salonga was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Career
Lea began performing professionally when she was seven years young, and from there, she continued to perform well at the Philippines Reperatory Theatre. As she took part in many productions as she grew up, she recorded her first album at the age of ten. It didn't take long to make a name for herself throughout her country.
In 1989, she attended an audition in Manila where producers and writers of the hit musical "Les Miserables" went to search for the right actress to play the lead role in their new musical, Miss Saigon. Lea earned herself the lead role of Kim, which came to be her first international big performance
This performance and her involvement in the Disney movies were the performances she became known for. Her appearance in Broadway really changed how people looked at us Filipinos. People learned that Filipinos have great potential and it shows in other stars today such as Charice Pempengco, Freddie Aguilar and Jessica Sanchez.
At present, so much of our people today are being influenced by the Western influences such as cartoons, television series, food, games and other sources of entertainment. When she sings Filipino songs, she reminds us that we belong to the Philippines and of our culture as Filipino people. She may not be the type of hero that saves the lives of people like the fictional super heroes, but she is a hero because she constantly reminds us of where we came from and where we can call home when we get lost in this big world of ours.
In 1989, she attended an audition in Manila where producers and writers of the hit musical "Les Miserables" went to search for the right actress to play the lead role in their new musical, Miss Saigon. Lea earned herself the lead role of Kim, which came to be her first international big performance
This performance and her involvement in the Disney movies were the performances she became known for. Her appearance in Broadway really changed how people looked at us Filipinos. People learned that Filipinos have great potential and it shows in other stars today such as Charice Pempengco, Freddie Aguilar and Jessica Sanchez.
At present, so much of our people today are being influenced by the Western influences such as cartoons, television series, food, games and other sources of entertainment. When she sings Filipino songs, she reminds us that we belong to the Philippines and of our culture as Filipino people. She may not be the type of hero that saves the lives of people like the fictional super heroes, but she is a hero because she constantly reminds us of where we came from and where we can call home when we get lost in this big world of ours.
Personality
Lea Salonga radiates with a dynamic and efficient energy. She appears controlled and capable. Lea values courage and effort in the face of difficulties and these qualities show. Others can sense that she will not be pushed around. Salonga is recognized as a pioneer; she has her own ideas of how to do things. She is a risk-taker, original and highly creative.
How do any of these characteristics relate to nationalism, you ask? Well, first of all, nationalism is generally love for one's country; to be happy living there, to be proud of having it as your home, and especially, loving and serving her people. Lea Salonga did these things if you would look at her works and life. Her characteristics (like her confidence, courage and being a person who'd always give a lot of effort) helped her to proudly represent her homeland, the Philippines in the worldly activities of theater and to make a name for Filipinos with her amazing voice. She also inspired her fellow Filipino people through her songs (especially the Filipino songs). She is one of those knots that keep our country united and make Filipinos proud to be Filipinos.
How do any of these characteristics relate to nationalism, you ask? Well, first of all, nationalism is generally love for one's country; to be happy living there, to be proud of having it as your home, and especially, loving and serving her people. Lea Salonga did these things if you would look at her works and life. Her characteristics (like her confidence, courage and being a person who'd always give a lot of effort) helped her to proudly represent her homeland, the Philippines in the worldly activities of theater and to make a name for Filipinos with her amazing voice. She also inspired her fellow Filipino people through her songs (especially the Filipino songs). She is one of those knots that keep our country united and make Filipinos proud to be Filipinos.
Sources: http://www.mspt47.com/lea/index.php and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Salonga and http://www.celebrities-galore.com/celebrities/lea-salonga/personality-number/ and http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aEQLNTFH_iU/R4Sy79470GI/AAAAAAAAAog/gMSWbbEuVcU/s320/lsalonga.jpg and http://www.music-lyrics-chord.com and http://www.allaboutjazz.com/media/medium/6/9/0/83788dc84b50109e06794285e1a12.jpg