#SHOWBIZ: Lea Salonga gets her Hollywood star

Los Angeles marked a historic milestone on Friday as Filipina Broadway icon Lea Salonga became the first Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The accolade, the 2,855th star added to the boulevard in Tinseltown, showcased the legendary career of Salonga, who has achieved numerous firsts in her 45-year journey.

Salonga's star was greeted with cheers from the crowd as she accepted the honor, jokingly acknowledging that fans would soon walk on her star. The Broadway icon shared laughter during her speech, reflecting on how her achievements would inspire future generations.

Speaking about her journey, Salonga expressed immense pride in seeing so many talented Filipinos and Asians working in the industry today, breaking barriers and creating new opportunities for the next generation. She hoped that a young Filipino kid might one day see her name on the Walk of Fame and be inspired to follow in her footsteps.

Salonga's success was also celebrated by her fellow artistes, Brandy and Ming-Na Wen. Wen, who collaborated with Salonga to bring the character of Mulan to life in Disney's 1998 animated classic, praised her for not only filling huge venues but also opening doors for young artists globally and contributing to various humanitarian efforts. Brandy, for her part, highlighted how Salonga's voice had already turned representation into sound, telling millions of children that they belonged to the magic.

The star was placed near Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the heart of Hollywood, with Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, expressing her pride in honoring Salonga. Martinez emphasized that Lea is a true trailblazer whose extraordinary talent and decades-long career have inspired audiences worldwide, and she is thrilled to welcome her as the first Filipino to receive this iconic recognition.