Noche Buena in my dreams

Lipa City, Dec. 25

I wonder if Ate Vi ever realized (before she became Lipa Mayor) that the weather here is cool and divine. It is enough reason for anyone to relocate here. It’s Christmas Day and the wind is blowing pleasantly. We are all wearing sweaters and smiles just like people do in Baguio and Tagaytay. Christmas is in the cool air. The night before, we slept at 8 p.m., incredibly early for a night vulture like me who by midnight is just about to start the night life.

But the cool weather and the tranquility, except for occasional vehicles that would drive past our house, singing crickets and squeaking bamboos are the only sounds you would hear.

I missed the Noche Buena this year. The past weeks were spent in endless tapings and chaotic work and frenzied parties and not being able to sleep enough. So on Christmas eve, we had Noche Buena in our dreams. But I didn’t mind. I was with the people I love most.

Lea’s humility

I love Lea Salonga. Little Annie has grown into a fabulous, sensuous woman. Little Annie has become one of the sexiest women in the world. She says the best part of her body are her eyes. I think they are her mouth and her neck and yes, her eyes. I have no secret desire for Lea – I may be shameless but I’m not sexually confused! (ha! ha! ha!).

Lea is a happy young woman. She is also in love. In Private Conversations with Boy Abunda, she talked about her first date with her boyfriend Robert. A date that lasted seven hours. Robert picked her up, gave her flowers, brought her to a restaurant with a view, had fantastic conversation. They dined, talked, laughed and got on a really good start.

"What is it that you look for in a man?" "Fantastic sense of humor," Lea answered.

"What turns you on?" "The first kiss. After that, everything else is gravy." And she said this like a chef who just discovered a secret culinary potion.

"What turns you off?" "Arrogance." "What is the sound that you love the most?" "The sound of my boyfriend’s voice when he calls me to say good morning." The sound that you least like. "Snoring!"

When Lea smiles, I see the child I have seen all my life. Even if she is talking about her first kiss or the man with a sense of humor, the magical innocence of the child that stunned this nation with her rendition of Annie’s Tomorrow still overpowers me.

When Lea smiles at you, you want to cuddle her and protect her from nasty playmates.

When Lea sings, you are mesmerized. The voice, the timbre that can only come from the soul simply envelop your whole being.

On my own. . . pretending he’s beside me. . . All alone, I walk with him ‘til morning. . . Without him, my world will go on turning. . . But when I lose my way I close my eyes and he has found me.

The song was Lea’s audition piece for Miss Saigon. In some ways, this started her journey to international fame winning among others, the Laurence Olivier and Tony Award as Best Actress for Miss Saigon.

"How much of who you are do you attribute to luck and talent?"

"There are people who are extremely talented but don’t really make it big. While there are those who are talented but are lucky to be at the right place at the right time. I belong to the latter!?

Such humility.

This is the single most important lesson I learned from Lea in my last private conversation with her. I’m looking forward to the next one and the next one. . .

(Lea Salonga stars in Atlantis Productions’ Proof to be shown at the GSIS Theater from Jan. 9 to 27, 2002. Directed by Bobby Garcia, Proof also stars Michael de Mesa, Joel Trinidad and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and is sponsored by Sommerset Millennium Suites, Northwest Airlines and The Philippine STAR with Bayo sponsoring the opening night. Tickets are available at Atlantis Productions with tel. no. 892-70-78. She also stars in a concert titled Lea Salonga: The Broadway Concert on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2002 at the PICC Theater. Gerard Salonga is musical director while Bobby Garcia stage directs. Guests are Michael de Mesa, Calvin Millado, Carlo Orosa and the 60-piece San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts Orchestra. Tickets are available at 891-5610.)