What a journey it has been!

The sun will come out tomorrow

Bet your bottom dollar

That tomorrow there’ll be sun.

And so the sun did come out for Lea Salonga in all the tomorrows in her 40-plus years, 35 of which spent (and continues to be) in the public eye.

Lea was barely seven years old when she sang the iconic song Tomorrow in the Repertory Philippines presentation of the musical Annie, in which she played the titular orphan role. The sun has never set on Lea whose journey took her around the world, pursuing a colorful career marked by a grand slam for her memorable performance as Kim in the Cameron Mackintosh megahit musical Miss Saigon, which was followed by more West End and Broadway plays.

On Dec. 6 and 7, Lea will mark her 35th year in showbiz with a concert titled Playlist at the PICC Plenary Hall (for tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999), featuring as guests Rachelle Ann Go and Mitoy Yonting (first grand champion of The Voice Philippines, who was coached by Lea) along with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. Musical direction is by Lea’s brother Gerard Salonga and direction by Bobby Garcia. (Sponsors are Bounty Fresh, Insular Life, Manila Catering, Asiaworld, Avon, Bayo and Fancy Crepes & Cakes.)

“It feels pretty darn amazing to celebrate 35 years in the business,” Lea was quoted as saying. “I feel very blessed to have a career that I love and truly enjoy, and continue to love as the years go. It’s not often that anyone can say that. The best part of it has been the people I’ve gotten to meet and collaborate with, the places I’ve traveled to, and the music I’ve gotten to perform.”

What a journey it has been

And the end is not in sight

But the stars are out tonight

And they’re bound to guide my way.

— from Journey, one of the songs

on Lea’s international album

Conversations requested Lea to do a list of the 35 great moments of her life, “a mix of personal and professional highlights,” in no particular order:

1. Miss Saigon — We might as well state the obvious, in that my international career as a singer and an actor started here. London, and then Broadway, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

2. Les Misérables — Getting to play Eponine and Fantine are a dream. Not to mention the 10th  and 25th anniversary concerts to celebrate the show’s success in the West End.

3. Annie — I mean, how much fun is it to sing Tomorrow while wearing an itchy, red wig whilst competing with a very large German Shepherd for attention?

4. Menudo — Now THIS was my boy band, and I was incredibly proud to open for them. I think every teenage Pinay hated me for it, hahahahaha!

5. Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder — It’s not often that anyone gets to open for great artists such as these, and I’m only too blessed to have met (and opened for) them both.

6. The King & I — The highlight for me is keeping it together when Tita Baby Barredo accidentally stepped on my bare foot during one performance. How I was able to, I have no idea. And wearing Tita Celia Laurel’s glorious costumes.

7. The Nutcracker —  This isn’t so much a career highlight as it is a personal one. It meant a lot because my first cousin Maniya Barredo danced at the CCP on numerous occasions, and doing The Nutcracker with Ballet Philippines at the age of eight years old was such a treat.

8. Aga Muhlach (photo) — Two movies that were both huge hits way back when we were in our 20s, and whose theme songs still get shrieks from audiences at concerts. Shall we try for a third? While we’re both still young?

9. Herbert Bautista (photo) — He holds the record though… we have done five films together, but were paired up as love interests for two. I’ve played his sister, or the sister/cousin of his ka-love team at the time.

10. Boston — This one is for Gerard… my mother and I moved to be with him while he studied at the Berklee College of Music. I did the laundry and DIY work; Mom cooked and cleaned. He graduated summa cum laude, which meant our sacrifice was worth it.

11. Flower Drum Song LA — The most significant thing about doing this show? Meeting the man I would eventually marry. What began as a seven-hour first date with great food and entertainment has turned into something wonderful. And Rob is really cute.

12. Nicole — How could I not include her on this list?! Sassy at the age of seven, she is an artistic soul. Smart and strong with a good heart. (And fast asleep beside me as I write this.)

13. Mom (Lea Salonga) — What could I possibly say about the woman who was (and is) my greatest protector, cheerleader, critic, occasional sparring partner, ka-chismis, and the one whose back I shall protect always? Only that I love her.

14. Gerard — He’s a highlight all by himself, not only because he’s my brother, but also because he’s one of my closest collaborators on stage. He has seen it all from me, and will see even more.

15. The Oscars — The best part of this incredible night was seeing the stars from the stage while I was performing. And turning a forklift into a magic carpet. Shaking Al Pacino’s hand was pretty darn awesome, too.

16. Ragtime — Another non-traditional role, this time on the concert stage for only one night. Singing Back to Before is a rush that I hope to keep repeating as many times as I can.

17. The Voice — The banter with the coaches… the blind auditions with our backs turned… finding amazingly gifted singers… and making great friends. Thank you to ABS-CBN for asking me to be a part of it.

18. Café Carlyle — A classic venue that can only be found in my favorite city, New York. Three engagements thus far… not to mention great burgers after my set is done.

19. Carnegie Hall — It’s intimidating enough singing in this venue; quite another to do it three months pregnant. This hall is hallowed, sacred ground, and I feel privileged to have performed here.

20. Small Voice — My very first album… the first of many more to follow, both here and abroad.

21. The Tony Award — This is special because I saw these awards on TV when I was growing up. Chita Rivera and Jennifer Holliday were the two actors I remembered most vividly.

22. That’s Entertainment — Think whatever you want of it, this was important to me, if only for the experience of being a teenager in the business along with others just like me. It made my awkward age less so.

23. Love, Lea — I’d say hosting a TV show at 12 was huge. It did take my weekends away, which was preparation for many more weekends dedicated to work. The singers that came on as guests, the antics Gerard, RJ Ledesma and Chuckie Dreyfus got into… too much fun!

24. Disney Legend — Thanks to Princess Jasmine and Mulan for this one! The award is for contributions made to the Walt Disney Company. In exchange, I get to visit the Disney parks for free. Doesn’t work in Japan though. Sad.

25. Julie Andrews (photo) — Talk about a major freak out on the inside when I first met her… and for her to say, “Call me Julie”????? Her voice was a huge part of my childhood, and to share workspace — heck, breathing space — with this legendary woman? Wow. Life made. Mind blown.

26. God of Carnage — I don’t do straight plays often, and they’re more difficult for me because finding a rhythm and cadence isn’t easy without music. Thank God for Adrian Pang, Menchu Lauchengco and Art Acuña on stage, and Bobby Garcia   guiding us through it all.

27. Allegiance — For my very first rehearsal for the initial reading in Los Angeles, I was told to head to George Takei’s house. Once I got there and settled in, I sent out a Facebook message saying, “I’m in Sulu’s house.” Nerd alert!

28. ER — Fainting in Noah Wyle’s arms… ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………..

29. Suites by Sondheim — An all-Pinoy tribute to one of musical theater’s resident geniuses, at the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. It was staggering just how many Pinoys are active doing musical theater. I’m still dumbfounded by it all.

30. Redwood Curtain — Jeff Daniels. John Lithgow. ‘Nuff said.

31. Bobby Garcia (photo) — My love! We have collaborated on theater and concerts since 2001, beginning with Proof. Our last one was God of Carnage in Singapore, and many more things are being planned for the future.

32. Writing — Yes, I regularly write for one of this paper’s competitors, and I do so proudly. I’ll have to thank Letty Magsanoc for her faith in my abilities, and to Kara Alikpala for the text message that started me on my journey!

33. Ateneo de Manila — Excuse me while I show my blue-and-white heart to you all. My year spent here was one of the happiest. Might’ve been the formaldehyde in the lab… not to mention the friends I made.

34. The ASTA Convention, 1981 —  This whet my appetite for travel, as this would be the first time I’d board a plane for work. The start of many, many plane rides.

35. Children of the World — In 1985, during our summer break, Gerard and I auditioned to be part of a kids’ choir to sing a special version of We Are the World. We rubbed elbows with quite a few child stars, and met a bunch of incredibly talented kids.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)