Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon, two of the Philippines’ most celebrated actresses, recently participated in ‘Conversations in Spotlight,’ an event presented by State of the Arts with support from Ayala Land and Make It Makati. The discussion, moderated by producer and Tony Award-winning designer Clint Ramos, focused on the craft of acting through the lens of these two remarkable figures, exploring their perspectives on the evolving theater industry and the emotional depth of their upcoming project, ‘Request Sa Radyo.’
Both actresses, deeply rooted in the theater world, shared their early experiences. Salonga, who began her theatrical journey at the age of seven, admitted that the ‘theater bug’ didn’t truly bite her until later. “At the time, I didn’t have the ambition of wanting to be on theater,” she shared. “I remember being taught a speech that I recited, and not feeling fear, even if there were a lot of people there.” De Leon, who started her career as a costumist, recounted her yearning to perform onstage. “I was backstage and all my batchmates were performing on stage,” she reminisced. “And I was crying because I was like, ‘I want to do that. Why am I here?'”
Salonga, renowned for her roles in Miss Saigon and Les Misérables, reflected on the distinct energy of live performances. “There’s a certain kind of energy that arises which is…it’s a high,” Salonga mused. “It’s very different from TV where you have to wait. But on stage, you’re your own editor. There’s so much responsibility. You have to make sure that the story that you unfold is the right one.” De Leon, who gained international recognition for her performance in the Oscar-nominated film Triangle of Sadness, echoed similar sentiments, recalling her first theatrical experience. “I had one line, and I still remember it to this day,” De Leon shared. “It’s so exciting to see people reacting to you in real time!”
Both actresses acknowledged the challenges of transitioning between stage and screen. Salonga noted that the immediacy and control she feels on stage are replaced by a reliance on the director and production team when working on films. “I feel much more stable when I’m in a play or at a concert. Doing films, I don’t know what the reaction is going to be or what the response is going to be.” she explained. De Leon described the process between theater and film as vastly different. “There’s momentum in the theater when you’re doing a play. You’re able to really feel the heart of the characters,” she expounded. “But in film, sometimes, it’s hard to sustain the energy and the momentum. In theater, you’re really immersed. You’re there 100%. You don’t have a choice. You just have to face it. You have to wing it. Even if you made a mistake.”
Preparation emerged as a central theme in their conversation. Salonga emphasized the importance of training, citing an insightful piece of advice she received: “If you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your own training.” This mindset, she explained, has helped her navigate the pressures and unpredictability of live performances and demanding film roles. De Leon, also a firm believer in rigorous preparation, shared her experience of preparing for her role as Abigail, a domestic worker, in Triangle of Sadness. “The challenge was figuring out the voice for her. I didn’t want to play into the tropes that Americans make about Filipinos.” De Leon revealed that she spoke with various migrant workers to prepare for the film. “Not just domestic helpers, but also teachers, nurses, physical therapists, so I was able to meet them, talk to them. My mom was also an OFW, so I knew what it was like.”
Both actresses agreed that while talent is essential, the foundation built through years of training is what ultimately sustains them in their craft. “Sometimes the talent is not able to take you to the next thing that you’re trained with,” Salonga remarked, likening the discipline to an Olympic athlete’s regimen. When asked what advice they would give to their younger selves, de Leon offered a powerful response: “Stop being insecure, you have a seat at the table.”
While ‘Request sa Radyo’ might be the first time the general public will see both names on the cast list for a production, de Leon reveals in an Instagram post that she and Salonga met as teenagers. “Decades later we get to collaborate as alternates in a play that means so much to us both, with a theme that has always been anathema to me – loneliness,” de Leon writes. “Request Sa Radyo,” originally written by Franz Xaver Kroetz, explores the poignant solitude of a woman through her evening routine. This introspective piece reveals the deep loneliness and yearning for connection experienced by the protagonist. The play is produced by Clint Ramos, Bobby Garcia, and Christopher Mohnani, in collaboration with Ayala Land and GMG Productions.
The production, which begins on October 10, 2024, is set to be a transformative experience for audiences. Salonga and De Leon will alternate performances, offering theatergoers a rare opportunity to witness their extraordinary talents in a single production. Salonga and De Leon’s reflections in “Conversations in Spotlight” offer a fitting prelude to what audiences can expect from ‘Request Sa Radyo’. As the actresses prepare for rehearsals in anticipation of the opening night, the excitement surrounding the production underscores the continuing evolution of Philippine theater and the ongoing contributions of its most esteemed artists.
