Pagiging ‘Disney Princess’ ni Moira kinontra ng netizens; wala raw binatbat kay Lea

MOIRA DELA TORRE AT LEA SALONGA

NANEGA si Moira dela Torre matapos bumandera ang balitang siya ang napili ng Disney Studios na kumanta ng “Reflection”, ang theme song ng live action movie version ng “Mulan”.

Kasabay nito, naging isa sa top trending topic sa Twitter ang pangalan ni Lea Salonga na siyang original singer ng Reflection,” na ginamit ding OST ng Disney animation na “Mulan” noong 1998, at sa “Mulan II” noong 2004.

May mga netizens kasing umalma sa desisyon ni Disney na kay Moira ipakanta ang nasabing OST, wala pa raw karapatan ang Kapamilya singer na maging “Disney Princess” at lalong hindi pa nito ka-level si Lea.

Bukod sa “Mulan” naging singing voice rin si Lea ng isa pang Disney character, si Princess Jasmine for the animated film “Aladdin” (1992). Dito niya kinanta at pinasikat ang “A Whole New World,” with Brad Kane.

Dahil dito, si Lea ang kauna-unahang Pinoy na nabigyan ng Disney Legend award, along with Hollywood stars n Elton John, Tom Hanks at Barbara Walters.

Talagang isinampal ng bashers kay Moira na wala pa siya sa kalingkingan ni Lea. Hindi rin daw anila bagay kay Moira ang kanta dahil hindi naman kasing-powerful ng voice ni Lea ang boses niya na kung ilarawan ng ilang Pinoy ay “nakakaantok.” Sana raw ay si Lea na lang uli dahil kanyang-kanya lang ang kanta.

In fairness, may mga nagtanggol naman kay Moira at nagsabing bigyan muna ng chance ang singer para patunayan na hindi nagkamali ang Walt Disney sa pagpili sa kanya para kantahin ang “Reflection” para sa local release sa Pilipinas ng “Mulan” simula sa March 25 starring Chinese-American actress-singer Liu Yifei.

Mukhang hindi naman masyadong affected si Moira sa pamba-bash sa kanya. Nag-post pa siya sa Instagram ng mahabang mensahe para ibandera ang napi-feel niyang kaligayahan. Aniya, ang “Reflection” ang first song na kinanta niya sa harap ng maraming tao noong bata pa siya.

“And now, almost 18 years later, I get to sing it in front of the world.

“I can’t even begin to describe how honored I feel to have been chosen to sing my own rendition of ‘Reflection’, not just because it’s one of the most beloved Disney songs, but because of how meaningful it has been in my life as an artist.

“The song talks about doubting yourself, about the weak knees that come when you don’t feel capable of doing something great– something I find very relatable for a lot of us.”

Pagpapatuloy pa niya, “Throughout this once-in-a-lifetime experience of lending my voice to ‘Reflection’, I have faced self-doubt and [so much] fear, thinking I wouldn’t be able to measure up.

“The thought of having to fill such big shoes was very scary to me until I realized that I was chosen so I could pave my own path.

“I strive to stay loyal to the fans who love this song and to my own fans who have loved me in every season.

“And lastly, I strive to remain true to who I am, my style, my voice, and most importantly, my story.”

Samantala, mukhang aprub naman kay Lea ang pagiging “Disney Princess” ni Moira.

“‘I’m very happy and thrilled that Moira, the voice of this new generation of artists, has been handpicked to perform the song REFLECTION for the Philippine market,” ang mensahe ni Lea na ipinost sa Twitter ni ABS-CBN reporter MJ Felipe.