LEA SALONGA... That Little Girl

Lea as "Annie"

It has been... like more than 25 years since since I last saw this "Little Girl" walking around our school. I was young at that time... really young. It all started in the old days of Greenhills when parking lots are big with Trees and the famous Virramall and Greenhills Theater are the "it" places to go to. 

Honestly I never knew her that much nor realized she was in our school. All I know is that one time we are all required to watch one of her musical shows... ANNIE which was played in Makati's Legendary RIZAL THEATER... Taxi fare was just 1.00 flag down (at R&E lang alam ko na taxi nuon tapos Gemini pa brand nung car)

Anyways, time passed by and when I reached Grade 4 or 5.. she graduated from High School. Wearing that Green Toga of ours she addressed the crowd as that year's Class Valedictorian. Nakakatuwa naman malaman na siya na pala si Little Annie. And it was that time lang that I knew her again because she was Valedictorian. 

Lea's Grade School
Graduation Picture

Then the Miss Saigon fever came and now I was starting to realize that this Little Annie is now becoming another character... This time as Kim. Time flew and really fast. I even bought the cassette copy of the soundtrack and even memorized some of the songs... 

I still, I still believe... you will return. I know you will. My heart against all odds hold still...

At present time, a lot came to her plate and lots of record breaking achievements. But behind this fame and beneath the loudness of her career is that silence she brings to every one who experienced her 'little" days at OB Montessori in Greenhills. 

That time when you will be watching one of her musicals or concerts. Or watch her be a mentor in a reality show or see her in a TV commercial. Or even just hear her sing a simple yet beautiful and clearly rendered song number somewhere in the radio or elsewhere... then you kept silent and just whispered... "She was my schoolmate."

We walked the happy corridors in school and has let her pass by. We saw her show just because we were told to do so. We saw her sing on stage during some special school occasion or event. But we never realized that one day that "Little Girl" will be one of the world's best performer. I am so proud of this lovely lady and even in the smallest sense of things... She became part of our hearts and our lives.

This Little Girl we now know as LEA...