Team DailyPedia
Senator Bam Aquino has filed a resolution commending internationally acclaimed Filipino artist Lea Salonga for making history as the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Through Senate Resolution No. 637, Aquino recognized Salonga’s latest achievement as a significant source of national pride and a testament to the world-class talent of Filipino artists.
Salonga was formally honored with her star along Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, on September 4, 2026.
“Lea Salonga’s induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame marked a significant milestone for the Philippines, proving the integral place of Filipino talent in the global stage and eternalizing the legacy of Philippine music and culture among the world’s best,” Aquino said.
The senator highlighted Salonga’s decades-long career, which began when she made her stage debut at seven years old in the Philippine production of The King and I.
She later achieved international acclaim for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon, a performance that earned her some of theater’s most prestigious honors.
Salonga received the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical and became the first Asian actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. She also received the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards for the role.
Her international theater career also included acclaimed performances in Les Misérables on both the West End and Broadway.
Beyond the stage, Salonga reached millions of audiences worldwide as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan.
Her achievements in the Philippines have likewise earned her numerous accolades. She is among the most awarded performers in the history of the Aliw Awards, with 15 wins from 18 nominations.
Salonga has also received recognition from the FAMAS Awards, the Presidential Merit Award in 1990, the Golden Artist Award in 2005, and the Orden ni Lakandula and Congressional Medal of Achievement in 2007.
Aquino noted that Salonga’s influence extends beyond her achievements in entertainment, citing her advocacy for women’s rights, diversity, acceptance, and goodwill.
“More than her artistic achievements, the Senate recognized Salonga for using her global platform to promote messages of love, acceptance, goodwill and respect for diversity. She has served as an ambassador for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and has been a strong advocate for women’s rights and diversity,” he said.
Aquino also described Salonga’s journey from a young Filipino performer to an internationally recognized artist as an example of what the Philippine creative industry can achieve when homegrown talent is given opportunities to compete globally.
“Lea Salonga’s journey from a local artist to a global icon embodies the potential of the Philippine creative industries to empower homegrown talent to aspire to compete on the world stage, represent Filipino culture and identity, and serve as role models who uplift communities through messages of hope and positivity,” Aquino emphasized.
The resolution is also consistent with Aquino’s push to strengthen government support for Filipino artists and the country’s growing creative economy.
The senator has previously filed resolutions recognizing P-pop groups SB19 and BINI for reaching international milestones, including their appearances at major global music festivals.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, Aquino has included the development of the creative economy in his five-point agenda. His initiatives seek to expand international opportunities for Filipino artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, creators, and other creative professionals.
Aquino is also pushing for the creation of a government agency specifically tasked with developing and promoting the Philippine creative industries, taking inspiration from South Korea’s Korea Creative Content Agency or KOCCA.
