One on one with Lea Salonga: Mula ‘Miss Saigon’ hanggang Miss U

NANG araw na binyagan si Lea Salonga ay isang manghuhula ang tumingin sa kanyang talampakan at sinabing magiging Miss Philippines ito paglaki, ayon sa mommy niyang si Ligaya.
Mali man ang bansa, natupad naman ang hula para sa singer-actress nang sumikat siya bilang “Miss Saigon” sa West End noong 1989 at sa Broadway noong 1991.

Ngayon taon ay nagkatotoo na naman kahit paano ang hula nang mabilang siya bilang isa sa mga judges ng 60th Miss Universe pageant na ginanap sa Credicard Hall sa São Paulo, Brazil noong Martes.Siya ang ikalimang Pinoy na naging judge sa nasabing beauty contest (makaraan sina Carlos P. Romulo, Kuh Ledesma, Josie Cruz-Natori and Emilio Yap).
Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa kalagitnaan ng kanyang US concert tour si Lea.

Inilarawan bilang “Tony award winner and actress”, kasama ni Lea bilang judges sina broadcaster Connie Chung, racer Helio Castroneves, actress Vivica Fox, model Isabeli Fontana, reality star Adrienne Maloof at Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega.

How did you get the Miss U gig?
An invitation was sent to my manager, David Belenzon. He admits to staring at it for about an hour before finally telling me. It was a no-brainer… we accepted right away. It feels pretty darn cool to have been invited! I’m hoping I do a good job at it.

How are you preparing for it?
I do have a few things to read over before I get on the plane (judging guidelines and such), so I won’t be sitting there not knowing what to do. I just did a show tonight so my brain is sort of fried. I’ll go through the documents in the morning.

What are you looking for in a Miss Universe winner?
Besides incredible physical beauty, I’m looking for intelligence, charm, confidence and an actual personality. I don’t want a vacuous Barbie doll, I want substance.

What is your idea of a beautiful wo-man?
My ideal woman would possess strength of character. Ideally, the Miss Universe winner would have that, too. She has to be
incredibly patient to fulfill her duties, someone with the sense of humor to let things slide off her back, should something go wrong. Think Miriam Quiambao after she slipped onstage.

Weren’t you supposed to be a judge when the contest was held in Manila in 1994? But your mom said you were too young then, the same age as the contestants.
I can’t remember. But yeah, my mother did have a point. I wouldn’t have been that objective. I think with age, I’ve grown more, and can now be more discerning.

How has your notion of beauty changed through the years?
I’m finding gray hair on men sexy. I wouldn’t have thought that 15 or 20 years ago. Aging with grace is something incre-
dibly attractive. It’s stopped being all about “pretty.” You’d better kick some serious ass.

How will you make sure that you will be totally objective in judging the Philippines’ bet?
It’s actually not that hard. I make the immediate presumption that all these ladies are already gorgeous. It’s what comes out of their mouths and how they carry themselves that will separate the good from the bad. And I’m going to be tough on these women. It should be interesting if Miss Philippines lands in the final five and picks me to ask her the question. Very, very interesting.

Do you have a favorite Miss Universe winner?
I love (Thailand’s) Porntip Nakhirunkanok (Miss Universe 1988). She was classy, smart, gorgeous, incredibly poised. Her eyes said so many things, and when she spoke, oh wow, she was smart.

What are your memories of the pageant while growing up?
I remember just seeing it on TV. Bob Barker was the host every year, and he was just charming and disarming. I loved watching him as much as the evening gowns, hoping that the girls didn’t trip on the hems or stumble in their high heels.

Is this your first time in Brazil? What are your plans for this trip?
The only ones going will be me and my manager David. My family will be in Manila watching on TV.

Will you sing or just judge at the pageant?
Just judging. Brazilian artists will be providing the live performances.

What are your current projects?
Future projects?
Right now, I’m in the middle of a concert tour. I have concerts with the Indianapolis Symphony to celebrate the music of Boublil and Schonberg called “Do You Hear the People Sing,” a benefit comprised of Filipino Broadway artists celebrating the music of Stephen Sondheim, and “The Colors of Christmas” tour in parts of the US and Canada. Too much fun to be had!

How’s the concert tour going?
The tour has been going really, really great! Jim Brickman is so funny! Great guy.—Inquirer