Theater star and actress Lea Salonga said no when asked to be named a National Artist. She says that the late comedian and actor Dolphy was more deserving of recognition for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
“No, no, no! There are folks who [are] far more deserving [than me] and whose National Artist Awards are long overdue. I would love to see somebody like Dolphy, for example, because we have to judge him as an artist for his body of work,” she told the reporters of TV5 in an interview during the 2024 CCP Gawad Para sa Sining Awards Ceremony on Friday, September 20.
“He has contributed so much—even the movies where he’s cross-dressing. It lends so much tolerance and acceptance [to] the LGBTQIA+ community. Even if that was not his intention at the time. That was an effect, an after-effect, I don’t think he even foresaw,” Lea Salonga added.
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“That’s just an example of why he should be heralded first. Hopefully, I will be given an opportunity to champion him,” she continued.
@themanilatimes Lea Salonga wants Dolphy for National Artist After receiving the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining award, Oliver and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga discussed the sacrifices behind her success and said that the late comedian Dolphy and other personalities should first be considered for the National Artist award. Video by Iza Iglesias
♬ original sound – The Manila Times
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Salonga was referring to Dolphy’s roles in movies such as “Fefita Fofonggay Viuda de Falayfay (1973),” “Sarhento Fofonggay: A, Ewan! (1974),” “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay (1978),” and “Markova: Comfort Gay (2001).”
Lea Salonga was originally chosen for her contributions to the theater industry in the Philippines and internationally. After all, she’s a Tony and Laurence Olivier Awardee and a Grammy Awards nominee. In addition, Lea Salonga was named a Dinsey legend in 2011 for her roles in movies like Mulan and Aladdin.
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