Lea Salonga, Preview October 2008

Lea Salonga looks amazing on the cover of Preview magazine for their October 2008 issue.

Jericho Rosales, Carmen Soo, and Heart Evangelista break-up, Lea Salonga West Side Story

Karylle and Lea Salonga: "Her second visit, pinuntahan niya ako sa dressing room. Binigyan niya ako ng ilang exercises. And then she said, ‘I've known you since you were small.' Patient kasi siya ng daddy [Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari, a denist] ko before," narrates Karylle about Lea Salonga's visits to the rehearsals of West Side Story.

Jericho Rosales on Heart and Carmen: "I must admit that Carmen also helped me to move on. Pero unfair na akusahan siya as the third party involved, kasi wala naman talagang ganoong angle sa amin ni Heart," says Jericho Rosales.

Niña Jose: "Kung magkakaroon kami ng love scenes ni Gerald sa new series, why not? Yung una naming ginawa sa My Girl, gosh, I was so uptight! Siguro naman ngayon, medyo relaxed na ako. Kung kailangang mag-sensuality workshop ako with Gerald, gagawin ko, para maging convincing lang ako sa ganoong mga eksena," says Niña Jose.

Rhian Ramos:"Naku, ganoon naman talaga, di ba? Usually naman kapag may mga blessings, may kasama rin ‘yang intriga. Pero willing naman akong tanggapin yung mga bagay na yun, kasi worth it naman ang blessing, di ba?" says Rhian Ramos.

Jolina Magdangal: "Naniniwala ako na kahit hindi ako magsuot ng wedding gown sa pagpu-promote ng movie namin, panonoorin pa rin ito ng mga tao dahil magugustuhan nila ang makikita nila. Hindi lang ang mga magagandang lugar, kundi ang story rin ng bawat isa sa amin sa pelikula," says Jolina Magdangal, who plays a chambermaid in I.T.A.L.Y.

Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal: Dyesebel's Dynamic Duo

Pica Lozano and Cheska Ortega are two of the 20 members of Star Magic Batch 16 that were presented to the entertainment press last night.

• Jolina Magdangal refused to wear wedding gown for the promo of "I.T.A.L.Y." September 3, 2008 03:25 PM
• Karylle relates Lea Salonga's visits to the rehearsals of "West Side Story" September 3, 2008 02:57 PM
• Dr. Hayden Kho breaks up with Dr. Vicki Belo, but they reconcile after a few hours HOT September 3, 2008 02:36 PM
• Jericho Rosales insists Carmen Soo has nothing to do with his breakup with Heart Evangelista September 3, 2008 02:15 PM
• Nina Jose willing to undergo sensuality workshop with co-star Gerald Anderson September 3, 2008 01:40 PM
• Edu Manzano talks about son Luis and the woman who takes good care of him September 3, 2008 12:18 PM
• Rhian Ramos clarifies issue linking her to the son of GMA-7's big boss HOT September 3, 2008 10:39 AM
• Star Magic Batch 16 includes a stage actress and a male hairstylist September 3, 2008 09:56 AM
• Rhian Ramos expects controversy each time she has new project September 3, 2008 09:43 AM

Piolo Pascual Bench Scandal

Piolo Pascual on his absence from the Bench Blackout 2008 Fashion Show: "Hindi talaga ako kasali sa Bench fashion show. Bago man ito naplano, wala talaga ako sa show. Also that day [July 25], I was doing a commercial shoot. So there is no chance for me to do the show."

Katrina Halili will star in Robin Padilla's next movie for GMA Films, Sundo.

KC Concepcion on Bianca Gonzalez, her ex-boyfriend's ex: "Oo naman. Nagkita na kami ni Bianca and okey naman siya, sobrang bait. No issue, sobrang okey sa akin si Bianca."

Lea Salonga of Cinderella, the hit show currently playing in Manila, said in an interview that one of the hardest places to perform in is in your own country because of the high expectations set on her by her own countrymen. Lea seemed to have met all the expectations based on the applause and standing ovation given to her by the audience last night.

Cherry Pie Picache wins as Best Actress for the second time in the 29th edition of the Durban International Film Fest in South Africa for her role as Thelma in Foster Child. Last year, she won as a lesbian tricycle driver in Kaleldo. Joining the actress in this photo is her ward John-John (Kier Segundo).

Jake Cuenca on John Prats & Shaina Magdayao: "Siyempre, si John Prats, John Prats yun. At saka, wala naman po sa pagkatao ko ang mang-agaw. Ako po kasi, basta may boyfriend or alam kong may karelasyon ang isang babae, off-limits po akong talaga."

• Pauleen Luna tackles issue concerning Sherwin Gatchalian and Lhar Santiago August 2, 2008 10:48 PM
• Joey de Leon dismayed, resigns from Manila Bulletin August 2, 2008 09:57 PM
• Dennis Trillo and Carlene Aguilar want a private party for son Calix August 2, 2008 09:35 PM
• Aljur Abrenica tackles issues regarding his family August 2, 2008 09:19 PM
• FIRST READ ON PEP: Katrina Halili joins the cast of GMA Films' "Sundo" by special request August 2, 2008 08:51 PM
• Valerie Concepcion would love to work with her former Kapuso co-stars again August 2, 2008 08:41 PM
• Star Magic reportedly thinking of pulling out their talents from "One Night Only" August 2, 2008 08:28 PM
• Jake Cuenca assures John Prats he will not steal Shaina Magdayao from him August 2, 2008 05:48 PM
• KC Concepcion says okay to interview with Bianca Gonzalez August 2, 2008 01:43 PM
• Lea Salonga makes Filipinos proud again with successful staging of "Cinderella" August 2, 2008 01:38 PM
• Cherry Pie Picache wins Best Actress for the second time in Durban IFF in South Africa August 2, 2008 01:33 PM
• Piolo Pascual explains non-participation in Bench fashion event August 2, 2008 10:00 AM

Lea Salonga celebrates 30-year career with concert

Lea Salonga celebrates the most memorable moments of her life and career in the two-night concert musical titled LEA, My Life...On Stage, held from May 23 to 24 at the PICC Plenary Hall.

Lea Salonga will regale audiences with her timeless songs and lilting voice as looks back on her 30-year career during her upcoming two-night concert. In a presscon held at the Crowne Plaza yesterday, May 7, Lea sang the songs "Tomorrow" and "Journey," allowing her to showcase her vocal prowess.



Produced by Ambient Events, the musical is a collaborative effort between Lea, her brother Gerard who is the musical director of the show, the FILharmoniKa orchestra, and long-time mentor and two-time awardee for Best Stage Director, Mr. Freddie Santos.



Executed in the style of a true stage musical, it will delve into the different chapters of Lea's life with images straight from her past to supplement a magnificent live performance accompanied by a full orchestra featuring songs from her various stage performances and records. It's a celebration of her past, present, and the future of her ever-flourishing career.



When asked about the ellipsis found in the title of the concert, Lea explained, "As you can see, it's ‘My Life' dot, dot, dot ‘On Stage.' It's not ‘My Life On Stage.' The three dots mean my life put on stage. We're just a little analytic when it comes to that thing."



During her very fruitful career, Lea has been featured in numerous plays which include The King and I, Into the Woods, My Fair Lady, The Goodbye Girl, They're Playing our Song, Grease, The Fantastics, Paper Moon, The Bad Seed, The Sound of Music, Annie, Flower Drum Song, and of course, Miss Saigon.



Her portrayal of the lead role as Kim in the 1991 production won her a Tony Award for "Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical" as well as an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk Award, and the Laurence Olivier Award.



Her most recent projects include her run as Fantine in the Broadway adaptation of Les Miserables staged in New York in March 2007. She is also slated to portray the title role in the Asian tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.



When asked what's one of the secrets to her longevity in the Philippine showbiz industry, Lea answered, "You have to have a deep and sincere love for this business with all the things that come with it. There has to really be a love, a love that's so great that you will never say at any point, ‘I hate this! I want to quit! It's too much for me! I can't take this anymore!' Those words are never coming out of my mouth."



For more information about Lea's 30th anniversary concert, log on to www.mylifeonstage.com or text LEA and send to 7878. To purchase tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.



As a special treat for those who will purchase VIP tickets, they will have the privilege to meet and greet Lea after the show at the PICC Forum 1 for cocktails. They will also be given a giveaway bag containing an autographed concert poster, a limited edition DVD of the making of LEA, My Life...On Stage, the May issue of People Asia magazine, as well as gift cheques and other surprise gifts from Enfakid. PEP

Aga Muhlach-Sharon Cuneta movie

Aga Muhlach's second movie with Sharon Cuneta is in the planning stage right now. Aga would also be willing to another movie with Lea Salonga, who has asked Aga to join her for a song on her 30 year anniversary concert.

With the sitcom That's My Doc, the box-office hit When Love Begins, and a new endorsement deal with Sun Cellular tucked under his belt, premier actor Aga Muhlach feels really blessed these days.



At the Sun Cellular press luncheon held yesterday, May 9, at the Bar One of Holiday Inn Galleria Manila in Pasig City, Aga said he is happy and proud to be part of the Sun Cellular family.



"Sun [Cellular] is a new player, there's room for growth and improvement, so I want to be a part of that. It's a new leaf, bagong pahina sa buhay ko 'to."



And speaking of new things in his life, more projects are lined up for the talented 38-year-old actor, including a Star Cinema movie with the Megastar Sharon Cuneta in 2009.



"There's a script already," Aga said. "They pitched it to Sharon before she left for London and when Sharon was in London they pitched it to me. We're going to meet with Sharon in two weeks time and we're going to discuss about the story and we're going to see how it goes."



Sharon just returned from shooting Caregiver in London, her new movie with Star Cinema after four years.



"Medyo mahirap kasi ‘yong pelikula," Aga said about his planned movie with Sharon. "Unang-una, we're going to be working abroad again, a different country, and it's hard to work ‘pag nasa ibang bansa ka talaga, nakakapagod."



When pressed for more details about the movie. Aga just said, smiling, "Basta 'yon lang muna. You'll find out naman."



There are also rumors that Aga will guest at international star Lea Salonga's 30th anniversary concert billed Lea, My Life... On Stage! on May 23 and 24 at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall.



"Well, I'd love to do that. But Lea Salonga singing, an orchestra... What am I going to do there? Magpapatawa na lang ako doon!" Aga says with a laugh. "Pero kung magge-guest talaga ako doon, then I will insist that I sing, di ba? I'll sing one song, a duet with her. ‘Pag pumatong na ‘yong boses ni Lea sa akin, believe me, ang ganda ng boses ko!"



Aga and Lea starred in the 1992 romantic movie Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal and Sana Maulit Muli in 1995.



Will there be a follow-up anytime soon? "I'd love to do another movie with Lea, of course. Because I spoke with the husband [Robert Chien], parang sabi niya, ‘Lea can only do a movie if it's with you.'"



This was confirmed by Lea herself at the presscon of her anniversary concert last May 7. "Only if with Aga," she quipped when asked if she's going to do another movie. PEP

Sharon Cuneta's "Caregiver" experience

Sharon Cuneta talks about the joys and sacrifices filming "Caregiver" and about her 30 years working in showbiz.

"One-thousand percent, sinasabi ko lagi ‘yan, ang in-increase ng respeto ko sa kanila [OFWs]. Walang panama ang hirap ng buhay ko sa hirap ng buhay na dinadanas nilang lahat. I was there [London] for three weeks. I did what they do every single day, several times a day for a few times lang, and I had a very hard time living for three weeks in an unfamiliar country and in conditions that my body is not used to," relates Sharon Cineta about shooting Caregiver in London.

Kasabay ng 30th year ni Sharon Cuneta sa showbiz, ipinagmamalaking inihahandog ng Star Cinema ang pagbabalik ng Megastar sa big screen sa pamamagitan ng Caregiver. Ang naturang pelikula rin na kinunan ang malaking bahagi sa London ang 15th year offering ng Star Cinema.

Apat na taon na ang nakalilipas nang ipalabas ang huling pelikula ni Sharon, ang critically-acclaimed na Crying Ladies mula sa Unitel Films. Kaya nanibago raw si Sharon sa paggawa ng pelikula.



"I didn't realize how much I had miss making movies hanggang ginawa ko ito. Yung una ko nga akong binigyan ng call slip, sabi ko, ‘Call slip!' Para kasing first movie ko since December 2003, since Crying Ladies.



"But thank God, nung umalis ako, hits naman yung iniwan ko—Walang Kapalit, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, at Crying Ladies. So parang ang bait ng Diyos after. Akala ko, 'May project pa ba na magagawa na hindi ko pa nagagawa?' Yun pala, may ganito pa," excited na sabi ni Sharon nang makausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) pagkatapos ng pictorial niya para sa Caregiver last Tuesday, May 6, sa The Fort.



HEART & SOUL. Isa kami sa mga unang nakapanood ng full trailer ng maituturing na comeback movie ni Sharon. Kapansin-pansin na punung-puno ng puso at kaluluwa ang ibinigay ng Megastar sa kanyang pelikula.



"Di ba? I didn't expect that, e," sambit niya. "No, as God as my witness talaga, dati naman napa-proud ako sa movies. Pero hindi ako naiiyak kasi yung nagta-tighten yung chest ko kasi proud na proud ako sa pelikulang ito. Parang ang feeling, I'm not just an actress in this movie, I am representing all the OFWs [Overseas Filipino Workers], yun ang feeling ko.



"I made it my burden kahit hindi. Kahit ayaw nilang ibigay sa akin, aakuin ko para mabigyan ko ng justice at honor ang pelikulang ito. Mabigyan ko ng atensiyon na tama... Ang hilig nating magsabi ke bagong bayani, bagong bayani...hindi naman natin dinidibdib.



"One-thousand percent, sinasabi ko lagi ‘yan, ang in-increase ng respeto ko sa kanila [OFWs]. Walang panama ang hirap ng buhay ko sa hirap ng buhay na dinadanas nilang lahat. I was there [London] for three weeks. I did what they do every single day, several times a day for a few times lang, and I had a very hard time living for three weeks in an unfamiliar country and in conditions that my body is not used to. Kasi we live here in the tropics, di ba?



"I lived for a year in Boston, pero grabe ang lamig sa England!" patuloy ni Sharon. "Tsaka in one day, mae-experience mo halos four seasons, ganun ka-unpredictable. Kulang na lang snow every day.



"Tapos yung shooting schedule, the demands of the schedule... And understandable kasi London is a very expensive city. You have to understand na ang production, you're ambitious enough to mount a project na ganito kalaki and there's a project of course na allocated, di ba, na stressful. Pero you don't really know how it feels to really work within all those parameters na until you're going through the thing itself.



"So, yung lamig, yung lungkot, tsaka umutang kami ng tulog. I had one-day off in three weeks. And minsan, nakawan talaga ng tulog. Just two to three hours seleep a night. Masuwerte na maka-four hours. Kadalasan, sa van na yung tulog. Kapag may break, magna-nap ka muna. Natuto nga akong mag-catnap. Tapos, parang ang dikit-dikit ang pusod naming lahat—sina Rica [Peralejo], sina John [Estrada]... Grabe talaga, hindi madali ang mga eksena.



BRITISH CAST. "And for the first time in Philippine movie history, meron tayong non-Filipinos who actually have major roles in a Filipino movie. Kasi ayaw ni Direk Chito [Rono] nung ‘Aba, kung kayu-kayo rin naman pala ang mag-uusap at gusto mo lang magpakita ng postcard, excuse me!' Meaning, para kang travel show, di ba, huwag na tayong umalis. So, if you're going there, what did the caregivers do there? They take care of people who are based there, who have lived there all their lives. So, we have to incorporate.



"And they auditioned 20 to 30 actors for every role. And there are two major roles ng British actors. Yung alaga ko na si Mr. Morgan kunyari at yung anak niya na si David. Tapos may kapatid pa yun, si Margaret. Meron pang butler, meron pang housekeeper, tapos mayaman, marami... Magugulat kayo.



"Even our lines, yung mga dialogue, nagsasangguni kami sa kanila. Kasi ayaw ni Direk Chito na 'pag napanood ng mga British mismo, baka pagtawanan. Hindi naman ganyan magsalita. We were really dependent on them for dialogues, to make it sound more British. Ang katulong talaga namin ay mga caregivers talaga na Pinoy doon. Dalawang nursing homes ang pinagtrabahuan namin," mahabang kuwento ng Megastar.



May dalawang scenes sa trailer ng Caregiver kung saan ipinakita na kinagat si Sharon ng isang British actor at naghugas siya ng puwet.



"Oo, nasa eksena naman yun," sabi ni Sharon. "Lahat ng ginagawa, siyempre akting naman yun, hindi naman mangangagat. Kung meron man, hindi naman masakit. Parang nananakal ka sa pelikula, pero hindi mo naman tutuluyan yung sinasakal mo, yung ganun.



"These are real actors, itong mga kinuha namin. They were also auditioned. So they had roles. Everybody na umaakting doon, hindi biro yun. Kaya kahit yung pasyente ko, artista yun. Like yung nasa trailer, si ‘Lily, I'm going to take care of you from now on.' She appeared on several films. Nagta-talent siya like sa Bridget Jones' Diary, yung ganun. Meron silang ganun.



"Mga other co-stars sa movie na si Matthew, who plays the role of David, appeared in Kingdom of Heaven. He had spaeking lines with Orlando Bloom. Kahit kapiraso lang, sabi ko, ‘But you are hundreds in the cast, you should not really...' Parang hindi dapat maliitin yung ilang segundo ka sa screen.' Dyusko, sa dami ng daang-dang tao doon! They are really working actors."



SHARON AS A CAREGIVER. Paano ginawa yung eksenang naghugas siya ng behind ng British actor?



"Siyempre, may technique naman. May pang-pelikula naman talaga na technique. Siyempre, ayaw mo naman ma-expose ang ilang private parts ng pasyente, nung isang artista. Pero tastefully done lahat!" tawa niya.



Patuloy ni Sharon, "Funny to say tastefully done, pero necessity yun, e. It was necessary to show kasi kasama yun sa pinapaghirapan.



"Kasi ang role nung character ko, teacher siya, e. English teacher siya. Kaya marunong siyang mag-English, ‘no! English teacher siya sa Pampanga, kung saan ang asawa niya lumaki at nakatira. Tapos nauna ang asawa niya doon [London] na nurse na. So parang ano siya, ayaw niyang umalis dahil mapu-poromote na siya an English Department Head. Kaso, gusto ng asawa niya sumunod siya doon. Napilitan siya mag-caregiving course dito tapos tumuloy doon.



"Tapos yung dynamics ng mag-asawa, nasa ibang bansa. O kung may nagbago ba, may nag-improve ba? Ang daming pangyayari... Yung anak ko naiwan, nakilala ko naman si Makisig [Morales] na ang mommy niya si Ima Castro, who is based there doing Miss Saigon, na kunwari nag-asawa ng isang British at pinababayaan siya [Makisig] dahil hindi naman siya tunay na anak kaya napapahamak. Kaya siya yung naging anak-anakan ko. Ang daming relationships ng character ko."



NO MEGASTAR TREATMENT. May Megastar ba sa mahusay na direktor niyang si Chito Roño?

"Ay, wala!" maagap na sagot ni Sharon. "Hindi uso sa kanya yun. Walang Star for All Seasons sa kanya, wala ang Mega-Mega. Actually, the truth be told, sa mga direktor natin, lahat ng direktor na nakatrabaho ko kapag nasa set kayo, it's understood that the director's... Not for anything, kahit si Rowell [Santiago] noon, direktor ng show ko, yung Sharon, and everybody knows that he was may boyfriend before, yung puwedeng-puwedeng pinakasalan ko...all those things. Pero 'pag trabaho na, pinu-po ko siya. You have to set limitations.



"Nung na-realize kong parang there was a time nung early on, parang masyadong familiar kay Rowell, nakakahiya pala. Baka hindi maintindihan nung iba. So then, I realized na there are other people here, hindi lang ako, nakakahiya kay Rowell. That's when I really started showing respect at nakikita nila 'pag trabaho, 'Yes, Direk. Opo, Direk.'



"Ganun din sa iba kong direktor, specially kay Direk Chito. Lovable siya talaga. Funny ‘pag off-cam. Pero ‘pag trabaho na talaga, para siyang teacher na terror. Lagi kong sinasabi na parang lagi kang manginginig, maiiyak ka. Pero kapag pumasa ka, ang fulfillment, ang yabang mo. 'Bakit, kaya ninyo yun?'" tawa ng Megastar.



"Pero may appreciation," dugtong niya. "One time, 'Uy, nahuli kitang nagka-clap, Direk.' Ginaganun ko siya. Tinext ko si Tita Malou [Santos, Star Cinema managing director]. 'Clap, clap ang director ko. Nakita ko siya.' Tapos ‘pag titingin ako, itatago niyang ganun. Tapos tatawa lang siya, yung ganun."

• Carlo Aquino to hit the gym to get next project in GMA-7 May 8, 2008 07:01 PM
• Kris Aquino graces "Deal or No Deal" episode aired in the US May 8, 2008 06:50 PM
• Bea Alonzo on "Betty La Fea": "Walang sulutang naganap." HOT May 8, 2008 06:10 PM
• Aga Muhlach switches "network" May 8, 2008 05:23 PM
• Katrina Halili had allergy after her kissing scene with Dennis Trillo in "Magdusa Ka!" May 8, 2008 04:54 PM
• Sharon Cuneta talks about the joys and sacrifices filming "Caregiver" May 8, 2008 04:13 PM
• Dennis Trillo controls himself in kissing scenes with Katrina Halili May 8, 2008 04:09 PM
• Anne Curtis off to Europe next week May 8, 2008 03:08 PM
• Fil-Austrian Vincent Bueno releases first solo CD in Vienna May 8, 2008 01:36 PM
• Lea Salonga on having another baby: "The factory is closed until 2009!" May 8, 2008 12:49 PM
• Aga Muhlach is the newest endorser of Sun Cellular May 8, 2008 10:58 AM
• Eula Valdes visits her husband in Australia May 8, 2008 10:54 AM

Lea Salonga on having another baby

Lea Salonga with husband Robert Chien and their daughter Nicole at the presscon of Lea's 30th anniversary concert Lea, My Life... On Stage! yesterday, May 7, at the Crowne Plaza.

"The factory is closed until 2009!"

This was the reply of Filipino international star Lea Salonga when asked about the possibility of having another baby. The presscon for her 30th anniversary concert—Lea, My Life... On Stage!—was held yesterday, May 7, at the Crowne Plaza.



Lea and husband Robert Chien already have a daughter, Nicole.



Lea explained that it's just impossible to think about giving Nicole a baby brother or sister since her calendar is fully booked until October 2009.



"As you already know, I'll be doing Cinderella after this concert. That will begin July 29 and that is the start of nine months of being involved in one production. My last day is on April 24, 2009," Lea said.



Lea added that her manager in the United States has already a project line up for her beginning May 2009 and will end in October. So it's really impossible for the international star to try for another child until October next year.



But Lea and her husband are in no hurry since they will have more time to bond with Nicole, who will turn two years old on May 16.



"As long as Robert and I can get Nicole on a relatively independent stage of her life... She is very independent, she likes to do things on her own. But once she's able to do things without any other intervention, then I could think of having another baby," said Lea.



LEA'S CONCERT. Lea's two-night concert musical Lea, My Life... On Stage! will be held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on May 23 and 24. Lea will revisit the highlights of her 30 years in the entertainment industry—from her beginnings as a child star to her TV years to West End and Broadway musicals and movie magic.



Lea's musical director is none other than her younger brother, Gerard Salonga



According to Lea, "Another thing that makes Gerard perfect for this project is that he's my brother and he was there for many of the highlights of my career. He was there for the opening night of Miss Saigon. He actually had to miss the Broadway opening because he had chickenpox, unfortunately, but he was there when I won the award, and each of the four... I think he was there beside me.



"He had to make supreme sacrifices for my career to just keep on going in the way that it has been. I was there also when his career was taking off. So we make sacrifices for one another. So without any offense to any other musical director, whose talents are boundless and incredible, his [Gerard] perspective as a member of my family is unique, and so he has seen through my eyes, as well as his own, my 30 years."



FIRST MEMORY. Lea also recalled her first memory of the entertainment industry.



"Yung nag-audition ako for The King and I," Lea began. "Six years old pa lang ako nun and very active ako nun sa Repertory Philippines. I think there might have been a party or something na sinabihan yung nanay ko [Mrs. Ligaya Salonga], and she heard na they're auditioning for The King and I, kailangan nila ng bata.



"So she brought me to Insular Life Auditorium. And they asked me if I could recite a poem. I said, ‘I don't know any poem but I can recite my Girl Scout's Oath.' And then I went ahead and recited my Girl's Scout Oath... And I think after my audition, I shouted to my mother who was at the back of the theater, ‘Mom, mom, how did I do?' Then she starts hiding already sa sobrang hiya. Tita Bibot [the late Zenaida Amador] said, ‘You did fine. Get off the stage.' So that's probably my first memory. That was literally my entrance to [show business]. I'm still enjoying, I'm still having fun."



THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS. Being 30 years in the business and still on top, Lea shared the secret of her longevity when asked by a reporter.



"The same question could be asked to Dolphy, Vilma Santos, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano..." she replied. "The one thing they have in common is that they're surrounded by people who want to better their career.



"Second, you have to have a deep and sincere love for this business with all that come with it. There really has to be a love, a love that's so great that you will never at any point say, ‘I hate this! I want to quit! This is too much for me! I can't take this anymore!' Those words are never coming out of my mouth," promised the 37-year-old international celebrity. PEP

Angel Locsin, Cosmopolitan March 2008!

Angel Locsin is looking as sexy as ever in a pink bikini, a first for the young actress, as the covergirl for Cosmopolitan's March 2008 issue, Anne Curtis is on Preview, Lea Salonga is on Good Housekeeping, and Niña Jose and Hazel Ann Mendoza are on FHM, available at all National Bookstores nationwide!
BONUS! Thalía with her new baby on the cover of Hola!

• Lolit Solis does not want to fight with Annabelle Rama HOT March 8, 2008 11:07 PM
• Yeng Constantino prefers to stay away from money matters March 8, 2008 10:31 PM
• Kapuso love teams topbill Regal's "Ultraelectromagnetic Love" March 8, 2008 06:51 PM
• Yeng Constantino shares life changes and lessons learned in "Pinoy Dream Academy"March 8, 2008 11:13 AM
• Kim Chiu chosen to play lead role in Pinoy version of "My Girl" HOT March 8, 2008 09:20 AM
• Kim Chiu and Yeng Constantino not threatened by new batch of dreamers March 8, 2008 08:57 AM

Lea Salonga Concert

Happy New Year!
Merry 8th Day of Christmas!
We have more presents for you guys like we promised, during the 12 days of Christmas, we'll be giving you guys free Filipino celeb wallpapers made especially by us and writing information about how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines. Feel free to use it on your desktop and give it away to family and friends to use on theirs as well, we spent hours and hours making them and my hands hurt and my head aches and I lack sleep, but I just love it because Photoshopping is actually fun, and when you have a goal and something useful to use it for, it's all good.

San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, Highland, CA.
Tickets: $40, $50 and $60
Doors Open at 6:30pm

Buy tickets now at Ticketmaster.com.

Don't you just all love Lea Salonga? She's having a concert this January 3. She made her professional stage debut at the age of seven, recorded her first album at 10, and was winning multiple industry awards at 13. At 18, she won the starring role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon”, for which she earned a Tony. Since then, Lea Salonga has appeared in countless musicals in both the states and her native Philippines. She also was the singing voice of both Jasmine (Aladdin) and Fa Mulan (Mulan) in the animated Disney classics.Your Christmas Regalos (Gifts)
for this 8th day of Christmas!Marian Rivera Wallpaper, Marimar is the remake of the Mexican telenovela and is the #1 rated TV program in the Philippines today.
Maja Salvador Wallpapers, new young up and coming actress making her way in showbiz
John Prats Loveteam

Maui Taylor Wallpaper, known for her bold roles in thrillers by Viv
Richard Gutierrez Wallpaper, in Sigaw, which is being remade into a Hollywood movie starring Jesse Bradford and our very own Iza Calzado.

Joross Gamboa Wallpapers, including some personal pics from him during a trip to Boracay, thanks Joross for sharing this with us here at Filipino Cultured, and of course with your fans.Kristine Hermosa Wallpapers, one of the leading actresses in Philippine cinema and TV. This was the present on the first day, but I just wanted to put her face here to celebrate the new year, hehe.

Happy New Year!
Is it cold where you are? Because it's freezing cold over here, have to turn on the heater all day long just to keep sane.

Happy New Year
from Times Square, New York City, USA

Lea Salonga in Les Miserables

Lea Salonga, whose recent triumphant return to Broadway in Les Miserables has sparked such a great interest from the public in New York City that the show has been extended from it's original May 2007 all the way to March 2008, recently guest starred on PhilMusic.com's podcast. The Tony-award winning Filipina actress was visiting Manila for a two-week vacation from her regular Broadway gig, playing Fantine in the current revival of Les Miserables. Lea and her husband turn out to be huge fans of the OPM band scene! She talks about bands they're into like Imago, the Dawn, Sandwich, Cambio, Bamboo, and Paramita. She also gives us a peek into how she prepares for performances and recordings, and her near-telepathic musical connection with her brother, arranger/conductor Gerard Salonga. Finally, she offers inspiring tips for up and coming musicians who want to make it in the business.

Listen to the interview.
Lea Salonga looking stunning at her album release party at Carnegie Hall.

Lea Salonga returns to Les Miserables

Lea Salonga, Tony-Award winning Filipina actress and the pride of the Filipino people around the world, is looking absolutely stunning and beautiful at the age of 36.

Ms. Salonga recently returned to Broadway in New York City as Fantine in Les Miserables, the hit show in which she starred in before as Eponine.

Photos courtesy of Lea Salonga's Official Website.