Lea Salonga, the award-winning actress and singer, has made history by becoming the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the ceremony, she expressed her gratitude for the recognition of her groundbreaking career, which has significantly contributed to greater representation in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on her journey, Salonga noted that when she started, she didn’t see many individuals who looked like her in the roles she aspired to fill. She rose to prominence on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her role in Miss Saigon, and she is also famously known as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin.
Friend and Disney colleague Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Mulan, joined Salonga at the unveiling ceremony. Salonga’s journey has been marked by the support of others, and she acknowledged those who opened doors for her while recognizing that while progress has been made in the industry, there is still work to be done. She ended her speech with a heartfelt “Maraming maraming salamat,” meaning “thank you very, very much” in Tagalog, celebrating her achievements and her historic milestone.
