Asia's Most Influential Culture List

Tatler honours 15 trailblazing Filipinos who have contributed greatly to the arts and culture scene in this month’s Asia’s Most Influential: Culture list

- Ryanne Stephanie Cheng Co

The One and Only

It’s been a long and illustrious career for Lea Salonga but she continues to push the boundaries to remain the best in her craft, doing her country proud and keeping her fellow artistes inspired

By Ryanne Stephanie Cheng Co.

For decades now, Lea Salonga’s star power has held audiences enrapt with wonder. A cut above the rest, especially on stage, she is famed for her perfect pitch, crystal voice and powerful control. Both the seasoned fan of Broadway and the young child discovering Disney must have, at one point or another, encountered the renowned talents of this Tony-award-winning actress.

“I really love getting up in front of an audience and singing,” Salonga, cool and collected, says. “It really is my thing.” And who can dispute it? Her career, which began in the Seventies, has blossomed in fruitful progression. Since her first musical at the age of seven, the world has watched Salonga in stellar performances on stages in Manila, London and New York, winning much-coveted honours such as “Disney Legend” and Theatre World awards. Despite her success, she remains with feet firmly planted on the ground, still calling Manila home, and flying back and forth in between jobs.

In this Zoom interview, she spoke with candour. “I’m someone who enjoys isolation and being far away from everybody,” she chuckles over this self-admittance. “So, I guess I’m just naturally antisocial, I don’t know.”