Lea Salonga Becomes the First Filipina to Receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Article & Photography by Janet Susan R. Nepales

A “Star for a Star – Lea Salonga” sign was displayed in front of the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

Fans from all walks of life lined up as early as 7 a.m. to get a glimpse of Lea Salonga as she received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star. She became the first Filipina to receive the coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 55-year-old singer-actress, dressed in an all-purple outfit, was giggly and childlike when the star was finally revealed to her. She was surrounded by friends and colleagues, including “Mulan” actress Ming-Na Wen, Filipino American actor-singer Darren Criss and Filipino American “Access Hollywood” host and former hip-hop artist Sibley Scoles.

“Oh my gosh, it’s real!” she gushed as she knelt and touched the star, as if to make sure it was real. She then started clapping and smiling broadly.

The first Asian actress to win a Tony Award and the first Filipino to win a Laurence Olivier Award, Salonga, who also boasts two Grammy nominations, said in her acceptance speech:

“If you had told 7-year-old Lea Salonga, making her stage debut in a production of ‘The King and I’ in the Philippines, that nearly 50 years later, she would be standing on Hollywood Boulevard in front of this iconic theater, surrounded by so many wonderful friends, family and colleagues, receiving a star on the Walk of Fame, she would have said, ‘What’s that?!’

“I was a little girl in the Philippines who loved to sing and perform. I started working when I was very young, and I certainly didn’t have some grand plan for how any of this was supposed to unfold. I just knew that I loved doing it. This career has taken me to places I never imagined I would go, introduced me to some extraordinary people and allowed me to keep doing what I love.”

Born Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga in Manila, Salonga is the eldest daughter of Maria Ligaya Alcantara Imutan and Feliciano Genuino Salonga Jr. She also graciously thanked her family.

“There’s something funny about a star like this because there’s only room for one name. Mine. But no career is ever the work of just one person. So if they made this star big enough, there would be a lot of other names on it. My family.

“First and foremost, my mother. Using her hard-earned money to record my first album, she loaded pressed vinyls into our family car and went door-to-door to stores back home selling copies. She was my manager for decades, my champion, my whole life. None of this happens without her.

“My brother (composer-arranger Gerard Salonga), my first duet partner, my favorite accompanist and the finest musician I know. My son (Nic Chien), who is back East, having just started his own journey into the world of acting and entertainment. He is an inspiration, the bravest person I’ve ever met. My proudest production today and always.

“There would be the people who have loved me, showing up for me. Like all you all out here. Supported me, protected me, encouraged me, told me the truth when I needed to hear it and occasionally reminded me that there actually is a life outside of show business. There would be the teachers who taught me, the directors who trusted me, the composers and lyricists who gave me extraordinary words and music to sing, the actors I’ve had the privilege of standing beside and the musicians who have made me sound so much better than I have any right to. The crew who somehow make everything work. The people who have represented me and fought for me and helped me navigate this very strange business and, of course, the audiences.”

Talking about representation, Salonga pointed out that she didn’t see many people who looked like her when she started.

“When I began my career, I didn’t see very many people who looked like me doing the things I dreamed of doing on the world’s biggest stages and screens. There wasn’t an obvious road. I was incredibly fortunate that there were people who opened doors for me, who took chances on me and who saw what I might be capable of. And over the years, I have watched that world begin to change. Not enough. Not completely. But it has changed.

“There are so many extraordinary Filipino and Asian artists working today, telling our stories, playing roles we once could have never imagined being offered and creating new opportunities for future generations. That means an enormous amount to me. I hope that someday a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here, too.’”

Finally, she thanked the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Manila International Film Festival “and everyone responsible for this incredible honor.”

“I will treasure it. And to everyone who walks down Hollywood Boulevard in the years ahead, please feel free to step on me. Maraming maraming salamat. What an extraordinary journey this has been. And the best part is, I’m not done yet. Thank you.”

Salonga, who is also appearing in the DreamWorks animated film “Forgotten Island,” was supported by her directors and co-stars, including filmmakers Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford and cast members H.E.R. and Dolly de Leon. Other stars who attended the event included Pops Fernandez and Vincent Rodriguez III. Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, who represents California’s 52nd District, also presented Salonga with an award of appreciation.