Dennis Gaviola

(From left) Emily Bautista, Red Concepcion, Rachelle Ann Go and Lea Salonga from 'Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular.'

Article (news)

Mon Rodelas

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770032546600viber_image_2026-02-02_19-31-46-188.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>(From left) Emily Bautista, Red Concepcion, Rachelle Ann Go and Lea Salonga from &#x27;Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular.&#x27;</div>Broadway icon Lea Salonga urged Monday the government and private sector to step up support for Philippine theater, stressing that “Pinoy pride” must go beyond applause and translate into sustained funding, education, and training for artists and institutions.Speaking during an interview with the Filipino cast of “Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular,” Salonga said the presence of four Filipinos, including herself, Rachelle Ann Go, Red Concepcion, and Emily Bautista, in the global production proves that Filipino talent can compete at the highest level worldwide. But talent alone, she noted, is not enough.“Pinoy pride has to also come in the form of funding, actual financial backing, education, training,” Salonga said, adding that while theater companies do what they can, colleges, universities, and training grounds also need assistance.She also emphasized that support should come not only from the government but also from the private sector.“Kailangan din silang tulungan. But, as far as the talent, I think it’s been proven for so many years, so many generations, na kaya, na magaling, magaling talaga. Pero it’s not just about talent… not just the government, also the private sector,” Salonga expressed.Go echoed Salonga’s point, citing Filipino discipline and resilience as key strengths that have helped artists thrive abroad despite limited formal theater backgrounds.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/1/22/theater-review-les-miserables-marks-40-years-with-manila-spectacular-1345">Theater review: ‘Les Misérables’ marks 40 years with Manila spectacular </a></div>Meanwhile, Go became emotional looking back at her first years in theater when she was doing &quot;Miss Saigon&quot; in London, emphasizing that she “felt so insecure” before working with veteran artists in the field.“Tinitingnan ko lahat, my goodness, lahat ‘to batikan na sa teatro, hiyang-hiya ako. You would always see me in one corner… wala akong alam sa theater,” she said.“But, then I learned what we have as a Filipino, ‘yung disiplina at tsaka ‘yung talento natin no matter na wala tayong background,” Go added, noting that her golden voice became her only asset looking back.Concepcion, meanwhile, urged young artists to invest in training, saying raw talent must be matched with skills and proper funding to sustain long-term careers.“Ang kailangan natin para kaya nating makipagsabayan, para kaya nating makipagsapalaran sa foreign world, is training and funding na hindi pwedeng puro puso lang, kailangan meron ka ring skill,” he remarked.The cast also shared how performing “Les Misérables” before Filipino audiences holds special meaning, with Salonga describing the homecoming shows as “very special,” marked by the electric response from local theatergoers.Bautista said the engagement of Filipino audiences made the experience feel like “home.”“It’s so electric being on that stage on that first gala night. We got to bow together for the Filipino audience… You feel at home… It’s really such a special, special feeling,” she said.Sharing lessons through the years, Salonga and her fellow performers underscored that “Les Misérables,” taught them the importance of embracing imperfections, resilience, hope, and talent — values that truly reflect the pride of Filipino artists worldwide.

Broadway icon Lea Salonga urged the government and private sector to step up support for Philippine theater.

Broadway icon Lea Salonga urged the government and private sector to step up support for Philippine theater.

Lea Salonga calls for stronger gov't, private support for PH theater industry

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Lea Salonga calls for stronger gov't, private support for PH theater industry

Mon Rodelas,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 02, 2026 07:52 PM PHT

Read More:

Lea Salonga

Rachelle Ann Go

Red Concepcion

Emily Bautista

Les Miserables

theater

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