UPDATED. Lea Salonga went on Free Facebook Live on Thursday night and gave a world-class performance that raised over one million pesos in just one hour – with the video now reaching 2 million as of this writing.
Salonga sang for audiences from her home while also under quarantine and showed the world why she is called a Filipino pride icon and a Broadway Royalty.
The singer-actress performed Filipino songs accompanied by music minus-1, opening “Nais Ko” and closing with “Paraiso” – both by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, her movie themes, “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” and “Sana Maulit Muli”.
Salonga also sang Broadway favorites, “Gaman” from “Allegiance,” “The Human Heart” from “Once On This Island,” and “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” – a prayerful song she dedicated to health workers and other frontliners.
Viewers of her concert kept requesting songs and asking her to extend her show, so Lea Salonga promised she would have another performance.
In between singing, Salonga shared about the mission of Bayanihan Musikahan and revealed how she appreciated the opportunity to sing again.
“For selfish reasons, it’s been great. I get to sing. I get to sing again in front of people. I get an outlet, I have my outlet which is fantastic. And in some way, all of the artists that get to do these live streams for Bayanihan Musikahan, we get to help, and these live streams translate to donations,” Salonga stated.
The Bayanihan Musikahan episode with Lea Salonga which aired on the night of April 2, 2020, is a concert fundraiser for health workers in the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus disease as well as the urban poor and most vulnerable sectors affected by the community quarantine that has suspended work, transportation, and other non-essential activities outside the home.
Lea Salonga is the most recent performer of Bayanihan Musikahan, a fundraising initiative among OPM artists that has raised over Php 22 million as of April 2.
“That’s amazing,” Salonga exclaimed as she saw the amount of donation rising as she performed.
She encouraged viewers to keep donating, saying, “There’s no such thing as too small of a contribution or a donation because when you pool all of these resources together, it becomes one whole big thing and so many people will be able to get the help that they need, the protection that they need.”
Ryan Cayabyab was the first to perform in the Facebook concert series, followed by multi-genre concerts that included artists such as Manila’s Pop Virtuoso Reuben Laurente, Noel Cabangon, Bayang Barrios, and many others.
Disney Princess Lea Salonga is singing on Facebook Live tonight to entertain Filipinos in quarantined areas like herself while raising funds for the urban poor.
Salonga, the original singing voice of hit Disney animation films and theme songs, Princess Jasmine of Alladin and Mulan, is on Facebook Live at 10 p.m. for the Bayanihan Musikahan fundraiser concert series.
“THE LONG WAIT IS OVER! Disney Princess and Broadway Star Lea Salonga finally graces the #BayanihanMusikahan stage as she headlines a lovely evening of grandiose classical music,” announced Bayanihan Musikahan Facebook Page on April 1, 2020.
Salonga is considered Broadway Royalty after starring and receiving international awards for her roles in hit musicals such as Miss Saigon, Once On This Island, Sweeney Todd, and many more.
Lea Salonga confirmed her participation in the free concert as she posted on her social media also on the same day.
“This is not an April Fools Day joke! Join me tomorrow evening at 10pm (10am EDT/7am PDT)! Bayanihan Musikahan,” Salonga posted.
In an interview with CNN Senior Anchor Rico Hizon last night, Lea Salonga informed her fans that she will join the digital concert Bayanihan Musikahan.
“There are classical performers. Tomorrow is pretty much a classical day and then there is me! So, that is what’s happening tomorrow. But a lot of instrumentalists, pop artists, rock, we have all sorts of singers and musicians come on to entertain people during this Enhanced Community Quarantine. So we’re doing our very best to entertain people,” she said in the interview.
“For Bayanihan Musikahan it’s a fundraising effort for less fortunate of us. You know the people who don’t have the luxury of being able to say “Oh yeah, I’ll stay at home!” It’s the people who worry about their income the next day, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Salonga added.
Fans commented on how excited they are to see Lea perform and hear her angelic voice through FB Live.
“At long last… The one and only Broadway Diva will go live again. The Heat Is On @ Bayanihan Musikahan. ❤️❤️❤️,” Edward Reyes commented.
“Will definitely going to watch this later. Can’t wait to see you, Ms. Lea! I am so excited. 😍👏💕”Jeremiah Basanez.
Liz Hamill Morrison, Dhian Alberts, and Christy Vegas requested the Broadway Star to sing the full version of TOTGA and some songs from Les Miserables.
“I’m a huge fan of yours Ms. Lea, and I’m so happy to see your effort to help our fellow countrymen… For you and for our countrymen. I’ll be looking forward for this. I love you❤,” Jelly Ann Lucas Piso commented.
Other artists who will perform tonight are Albert Tiu at 6pm, Reachelle Gerodias – Park and Byeong In Park at 7pm, Dio Saraza at 8pm, and Victor Santiago Asuncion at 9 pm.
It was on March 18 when Maestro Ryan first launched the Bayanihan Musikahan to raise funds for the most vulnerable sector of Filipino society. Bayanihan Musikahan announced that as of April 1 at 5PM, the project already raised over 15 million pesos.
“Today at 5pm, we received the good news that we are now at P15,721,508.10. This would not be possible without your help and our Bayanihan. Maraming salamat po!” Bayanihan Musikahan announced.
Lea Salonga sang the Southeast Asian Games theme song “We Win As One” which has been remade the song “We Heal As One”, where she also sings along with other OPM artists to call for unity amidst the health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With reports from Blesilda Dela Cruz
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Lea Salonga for giving this rare free Facebook Live concert for the Filipino nation!
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