Conversations in Spotlight , presented by State of the Arts with support from Ayala Land and Make It Makati, featured a dialogue with two of the Philippines’ most celebrated actresses: Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon. To Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon, the theater stage will always be home. Two months ahead of the highly anticipated opening of Request Sa Radyo , students, actors, filmmakers, and various theater enthusiasts gathered at the JZA Hall of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater for an evening of insightful discussions.
Moderated by producer and Tony Award-winning designer Clint Ramos, the two actresses explored the craft of acting through their lens, their individual perspectives on the evolving theater industry, and the emotional depth of their upcoming project. Both celebrated figures in the theater world, the two actresses shared insights into their early careers. Salonga started in theater at seven years old, but claims the “theater bug” didn’t bite her until later in her journey.
“At the time, I didn’t have the ambition of wanting to be on theater,” the actress said. “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 in theater as a costumist, lamented her desire to act onstage.
“I was backstage and all my batchmates were performing on stage,” De Leon reminisces. “And I was crying because I was like, ‘I want to do that. Why am I here?'” Lea Sal.