Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Pinoy Dream Academy


After much email going back and forth between myself, Jim Paredes (Headmaster) and Laurenti Dyogi (Director of PDA), I made a visit to Pinoy Dream Academy. However, I wanted to be briefed thoroughly on what Jim wanted me to cover for my lecture. I didn't really want to cover any onstage stuff, as their instructors and teachers are doing a great job already. So, Jim suggested work in the US and London... professionalism... discipline... commitment. I asked him to prompt me whenever the need arose.

After my rigatoni al bruto and a Coke Light at Cibo, across the street we went. I got my hair done and make up put on in one of the dressing rooms... during my beautifying session I met PDA host Nikki Gil (whose voice I think is really sweet and clear). She had me sign the back of her iPod before she headed out, presumably back to the ABS studios. They were rehearsing for the Christmas special while I was at the PDA House.

Hair and make-up done... my microphone is now affixed on my person. I have a bottle of water handy, and it's off I go to the living room where Jim and the scholars are having a talk. The kids have no idea that I'm about to pay them a visit, so this should be fun. Lauren leads me to the door, and says, "just walk in." So... "Hi!"

The talk is covered in its entirety on youtube, so I needn't really write down what happened.

I think all in all, the talk went very well. I most certainly had a wonderful time with these scholars. They do work hard and are quite talented, so I wish them only the best of luck once they graduate. How they do outside the academy will be a true test of their resolve, work ethic, talent, discipline, professionalism, drive, and love for what they do. Let's see how they do in the next few years. I have a feeling they'll all be just fine.



32 comments:

Gladys Gatdula said...

I saw that episode last night, you looked great and it was good to hear your experiences back when you were in London and US... I also learned a lot from what you told the scholars about professionalism, discipline, etc...

"Being famous is easy but Staying famous is hard." ^___^

tin samson said...

Hi Lea!

I haven't watched the videos from YouTube yet, but from the little that was shown on TV last night, I really learned a lot. Heehee, I'm part of Ateneo BlueRep's HSM cast, under the direction of Chari, and also starring Karel! So stuff you said helped a lot! (Never thought I'd be using advice you give about singing and performing!)

Really nice to see you and listen to your advice on Phil Idol and PDA. (BTW, what can you say about first Phil. Idol Mau? And I hope the ASEAN Summit went great!)

And so cool about Nikki Gil's iPod!

melanie villafranca said...

To zian>> yyyieeehhhh.... parehas tayo.. yan din yung sobrang na retain sa utak ko! ahehehe... i mean siyempre i heard every single word that miss lea said pero that phrase yung sobrang naretain sa utak ko hehehe.... hello miss lea!!! love yah much! xoxmelaniexoxbigfanxox

susan gabrielle yance said...

sayang I missed it..( I was at work hmp!!) Manang, Are you really gonna have a XMAS concert? just asking :)

Tin Yang said...

you should watch it tin! masaya! =D

Michael and Julie :) said...

We saw that episode and we found ourselves listening intently to your lecture too!

Soleil NYC said...

Actually that really seems likea good topic you covered....another thing that a lot of people don't learn in school is the BUSINESS part of Showbusiness...after all it's 8 letters out of 12, it must be pretty important. My friends and I are thinking of putting a workshop together in NYC to address just that for new graduates and NY transplants. PS: Manila has changed! :)

Reg Santos said...

I learned a lot from that episode too. I like what you said: Getting famous is easy. Staying famous is hard. I agree with you Ms. Lea. Take care and thanks for the inspiration. :)

charmi jimeno said...

i missed that episode...gratefully...there is a good person who posted it in you tube...you could check missm1208 site or search for the ff keywords pda - lea salonga. there are 14 parts...question for ms. lea: will you be appearing on the pda's christmas party or at the araneta thing????

Early Sol Gadong said...

hay, after i saw the pda episode, nag-youtube marathon ako for your videos. i saw the most amazing ones and couldn't help but be emotional. my bestfriend and i were planning a trip to manila (we're from iloilo) this feb. we've actually booked them already but when i saw sa internet that you'll be having a concert sa feb 11, we decided to rebook our flights! can't wait for feb to come... =)

God bless you and your family, Miss Lea! =)

sassy smile said...

wish i could watch PDA but i guess i have to wait when its available in DVD and my sistah will send me a copy... anyway, just want to say Hi.... you're probably here in Doha now... see you perform live at the closing of the Asian Games... Im sure, Filipinos here will be so proud of you :)

Li'l Dove Feather said...

Here's a shorter cut --> Lea invades Pinoy Dream Academy!!!!

And BTW, here are clips featuring Miss Saigon in ASAP '06

melanie villafranca said...

hello.... Congrats lea! her performance in the closing ceremony of asian games was a blast... she looks good in her gown too...

Dana Finley said...

Lea, I watched some of the pda video on youtube. I enjoyed hearing, in your own words, about your experiences in theater. Especially, I enjoyed you talking about taking on the role of Eponine in Les Mis(I have already told you that you are one of my favorites in the role), and how you prepared and wanted to get the role just right. Which Les Mis CD did you listen to?

Dana Finley said...

Lea, I watched some of the pda video on youtube. I enjoyed hearing, in your own words, about your experiences in theater. Especially, I enjoyed you talking about taking on the role of Eponine in Les Mis(I have already told you that you are one of my favorites in the role), and how you prepared and wanted to get the role just right. Which Les Mis CD did you listen to?

Lea, I heard this rumor that you are in talks to play Fantine in the Les Mis revival on Broadway when the current Fantine goes on leave. This is true, or can you comment on it now?

Jo ♫ said...

Oh wow!!! That would be amazing! It would be awesome to see you and Daphne Rubin-Vega onstage together though!! I hope this rumor is true coz I'll be buying my ticket for your first show ASAP.

I'm still about to watch the 2nd part of your PDA lecture on YouTube. I'm so riveted! It's just like attending my theatre classes, except my teacher is the Lea Salonga! You're truly an inspiration! I hope to see you on Broadway again soon!

Jo ♫ said...

The NY Times did a profile on Kristin Chenoweth a while back. (Link here - may require login.) She echoed the same sentiment on professionalism and discipline.

As it is, she’s often awakened by work knocking around in her head. “Last night,” she said, “it was this line from ‘The Apple Tree’: ‘The Really Real Acting Academy has shown me that all my films, alas, are naught but tinkling trivia, sugary, shoddy, shallow shadows. Schlock.’ How am I going to say that? How am I going to make that funny? It’s so frustrating because people say, ‘It comes so easily to her,’ or ‘She’s just playing herself.’ Well, I work my butt off. These ideas don’t come from nowhere. You have to think them up. Sometimes I think until I think my head might explode.”Anyway, I just thought I'd share coz you, Cheno, Idina Menzel and Patti LuPone are my inspiration! Happy holidays to you and your family!

Li'l Dove Feather said...

A lot of what Lea said really made sense. I'm not a theater-person but some of what she said really hit home.

Lea Salonga said...

I listened to the Original London and Broadway Cast Recordings and the Complete Symphonic Recording (which I was gifted with first), and was additionally inspired by Linzi Hately's portrayal of the role. She really, really blew me away when I watched her in London.

Lea Salonga said...

Mike, coming from you, that is one supreme compliment! Thank you and Julie!

Lea Salonga said...

I guess it may have made sense because it applies not just to theater, but to any occupation.

Chinky Fuentes said...

I wasn't able to watch Lea on PDA but thank God for youtube, I got to watch it even just clips of it.

The one thing that I noticed was how naturally nice you are, and very sincere, too. Great, great, great!

Chinky Fuentes said...

Meron nabang tickets for this feb 11 concert? I might be able to have this as my Christmas present from my husband. The earlier, the better!

Li'l Dove Feather said...

That's what I thought. Gives more meaning to "All the world's a stage..." To me, anyway.

Li'l Dove Feather said...

Actually, the ones in YouTube are longer and more complete. Anyway, I gave a link above. Maybe you'd like to check it out so you won't have to go to the YouTube site mismo pa.

XXXX YYYY said...

hi Lea! a lot have been said and i agree with everyone's "two cents" here, but what strucked me most was your hair! alaaaaveeeet!!! ^_^

God bless your family and Merry Christmas!

Dana Finley said...

Lea, thanks for replying to my message. Watching a video of Linzi Hateley singing "On My Own,"(a clip from "Stage by Stage") I do notice a hint of her influence in your singing of the song.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Dana Finley said...

Lea, thanks for replying to my message. Watching a video of Linzi Hateley singing "On My Own,"(a clip from "Stage by Stage") I do notice a hint of her influence in your singing of the song.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

mildred roques said...

yah i saw one pic in philippine daily inquirer....jeng win!!....not BAD

mildred roques said...

Merry Christmas ...Ms lea and whole family...wishing everyone have safe,peaceful christmas....!! joyuex Noel

mrsvd * said...

Mele Kalikimaka to you and your family, Lea! Happy 1st Christmas to Baby Nicole (love her Christmas photo)! Aloha... dagdagans

John Barrowman said...

Hi Lea! Will be there on your opening night March 6 to watch you in Les Miz. Would it be okay to wait outside the stage door to ask for an autograph on my playbill or even a picture with you? Watched the show last week with Rubin-Vega but of course I want your signature and not hers. He he he. A lot of fans have been waiting for your performance here.

I first saw you in person in 1985 and asked your autograph (I was 9 then) when you were featured in a concert as one of the artists in Folk Arts Theatre and never had the guts to approcah you again...