MANILA, Philippines??It would be wonderful if there were more of a culture of theater-going in this country. It?s a movie-going audience because of the economics of it all,? muses Lea Salonga.

But for sure, many Pinoys will forego movies and catch ?Lea, My Life? On Stage? instead. The musical that chronicles Lea?s beginnings as a child star, through her TV years, to West End and Broadway, will be on May 23 and 24 at the PICC Plenary Hall. (For tickets, call 891-9999.)

Lea?s role as Kim in ?Ms Saigon? is closest to her heart. ?For both sentimental and professional reasons,? she says. ?But Fantine in ?Le Miz? is also unforgettable. To play a woman who has lived such incredible tragedy and compress that lifetime into 25 minutes onstage was quite a challenge. I had to go into a darker emotional place night after night to play the role right. As fulfilling as it was, it was also draining.?

Her biggest fulfillment comes from being a mother to Nicole, 2. ?The day Nic was born eclipses everything else in my life. I?d allow her to follow my footsteps if she wants to. But I?d tell her the pros and cons of the biz. As good as it has been to my family and me, there is also a lot of heartbreak that could happen. I wouldn?t want her to come into things blind and naive.?

Lea?s never been blinded by fame. I?m amazed that she still fondly remembers her elementary days in O.B. Montessori, which was my school, too. Success could not have found a more deserving person. Such a well-loved performer who has lived her life on and off stage so well.

Lolit?s humor

I knew Tita Lolit Solis would eventually own up to her mistake in the Piolo-Sam controversy. I?ve seen her soft side during her days with my mom. I remember my ma getting the shock of her life one, when Tita Lolit showed her the life jacket she got from the plane they took to Korea. She disregarded the warning printed on it: ?Removal from aircraft is punishable by law.?

La Lolita never runs out of pranks. Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby now have the last laugh. But knowing Tita Lolit, she?ll never stop laughing even at herself. She may lose all her senses temporarily when she goes luka-luka with her imaginary sightings and acts of mischief but she?ll never lose her sense of humor.

Back on track

Lotlot de Leon is back in circulation. New roles on screen, new man in her life off screen? ?I?ve met a lot of guys since I separated from Monching pero walang BF material,? she sighs. ?Besides, I run away before I fall (laughs).?

Plans for her mom?s (Nora Aunor) birthday today? ?I?ll give her a call. I?m happy she got her green card already. That means she can come home for a visit soon.?

What about her ex mother-in-law Pilita Corrales? ?I?m leaving it up to God when Mamita and I will make peace but I still love and respect her. Too many wounds have to be healed first.? Time heals, so they say. Time out or time?s up for Lot and Tita Pilita?

Guess list

? This young actor is best personifies the show biz expression ?feeling!? ?Natatawa yung bigger stars sa kaniya. OA mag project,? notes a studio insider. ?Yung swagger niya kala mo si Humphrey Bogart ang dumating.? Wonder if his ?projection? will land him more projects.

? This TV host/actress never wants to be upstaged. Before a show, she makes her assistants snoop on what bling bling, brand of clothes/shoes her female guests will be wearing. She makes sure hers would be more expensive. How cheap can she get?

No network switch

During the promo of ?Ploning,? Judy Ann Santos was very visible on GMA 7 shows. She was also very vocal about her gratitude to the Kapuso station for helping promote her very first production venture. For awhile, that development fueled speculations that Juday might switch networks.

But she?s staying put in her home studio ABS-CBN in spite of the slight tampuhan they had when ?Ploning? and Star Cinema?s ?When Love Begins? went head-on collision. Juday is too much of a professional to let petty issues bog her down. She has started taping her teleserye with Derek Ramsey ?Humiling Ako Sa Langit.? Heaven must be listening to Juday.

Long absence

Abigail Cruz is psyching herself for the 39 long days that her BF Paolo Bediones will be gone when he starts shooting for ?Survivor Philippines.? ?I?ll send him an album of our pics as a pabaon in the island.?

Pao has declared to the press that he wants to marry Abby in due time. Has he formally proposed? ?Not yet,? she says, blushing. ?No need for a ring, as long as he?s the groom.?

What will she miss most about Pao? ?His surprise visits when I have a show and when we laugh at jokes that only both of us understand.? After Pao heeds the call of the wild in his reality show, he will be back to being Abby?s BF over and beyond the call of duty.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com.