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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/lifestyle2/05/23/risa-hontiveros-theater-actress-052316.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">A much younger Risa Hontiveros makes a guest appearance on the TV show “Student Canteen” along with other cast members of “The Sound of Music” by Repertory Philippines. <em>Screengrab from YouTube</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – Decades before becoming a politician, Risa Hontiveros was a budding theater actress.</p><p>Hontiveros was part of the cast of Repertory Philippines’ “The Sound of Music” in 1980 at the age of 14. She played one of the Von Trapp children along with Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson and siblings Menchu and Raymond Lauchengco -- who are all theater veterans today.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/lifestyle2/05/23/risa-hontiveros-052316.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">There are many familiar faces in this publicity photo for “The Sound of Music” from Repertory Philippines: Menchu Lauchengco and brother Raymond Lauchengco (left and second from left), Risa Hontiveros (third from left), Monique Wilson (third from right) and Lea Salonga (second from right)</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>The young cast of Rep’s “The Sound of Music” also made a guest appearance on the defunct nnontime show “Student Canteen,” with the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL-vcz67rts">video</a> going viral online after Hontiveros’ senate win in the May 2016 polls.</p><p>Aside from “The Sound of Music,” Hontiveros also performed in La Salle Greenhills&#x27; production of the musical “Grease” in the early ‘80s.</p><p>Hontiveros was able to get a Senate seat on her third try, prompting pageant mentor Jonas Gaffud to compare her to reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.</p><p>READ: <strong><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/lifestyle/05/10/16/pageant-mentor-compares-senate-bet-to-pia-wurtzbach">Pageant mentor compares Senate bet to Pia Wurtzbach</a></strong></p><p>It took Wurtzbach three attempts before winning Miss Universe Philippines in 2015, which allowed her to compete – and eventually win – in the international pageant.</p>

Decades before becoming a politician, Risa Hontiveros was a budding theater actress. 

Did you know? Risa Hontiveros was once a theater actress

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Did you know? Risa Hontiveros was once a theater actress

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Published May 23, 2016 05:53 PM PHT

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