Lea Salonga to take part in 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit in Manila
Lea Salonga is set to take part in the 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit to be held in Manila on November 11.
The Tony Award-winning performer will sit down with ABS-CBN News anchor Rico Hizon for a session titled “In Unison: Amplifying every voice in ASEAN.”
According to the event’s official website, the session will feature a combination of conversation and music as Lea “explores what it will take for Southeast Asia’s creativity and culture to be not only a source of pride but a livelihood for many more of the region’s artists.”
The 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit will gather “leaders from business, government, civil society, and philanthropy” in Manila to “explore how to turn volatility into opportunity and unlock the next wave of inclusive economic growth.”
Lea recently made history as the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During the unveiling ceremony held on Friday, September 4 (US time), on Hollywood Boulevard, the Broadway star looked back on her journey from being a young girl in the Philippines who loved performing to becoming an internationally acclaimed artist.
“I was a little girl in the Philippines who loved to sing and perform. I started working when I was very young and I certainly didn’t have some grand plan on how any of this was supposed to unfold. I just knew that I loved doing it. This career has taken me to places I never imagine I would go. Introduced me to some extraordinary people and allowed me to keep doing what I love,” she remarked.
Lea also reflected on her Filipino roots and the challenges of pursuing a career in an industry where Asian representation was once limited.
“I also can’t stand here today without thinking about where I come from. When I began my career I didn’t see very many people who look like me, doing the things I dreamed of doing on the worlds biggest stages and screens. There wasn’t an obvious road. I was incredibly fortunate that there were people who opened doors for me, who took chances on me, and who saw what I might be capable of. And over the years I have watched that world begin to change, not enough, not completely, but it has changed,” she stated.
The Broadway star went on to express her pride in seeing more Filipino and Asian artists gain recognition on the global stage, while expressing hope that her milestone would inspire future generations of performers.