MANILA, Philippines—There’s another Pinay on the world stage. Singer-actress Tex Ordoñez has the rare distinction of being the lone Filipino in a lead role in the Asian production of “Around the World in 80 Days” which premiered in Hong Kong on Aug. 8.

(The musical is currently running at the Lyric Theater in the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in Wan Chai, and will move to the Esplanade in Singapore in the last quarter of the year.)

Indian princess

Ordoñez, who first wowed local audiences in the Atlantis production of “Dreamgirls” in 2003, told Inquirer Entertainment via e-mail: “It’s exciting. It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Playing Indian princess Aouda, Ordoñez is sharing the stage with an international cast led by British actors Andrew Piper and Adam Kelly.

“[Witnessing] the level of discipline, artistry and professionalism of an international team … makes me proud to be a Filipino all the more,” she noted. She described the musical as “an experience of a lifetime.”

“The six actors from the UK are all wonderful. The dancers are amazing — four of them are from the Philippines: Joevenelle Mallorca, Gerlin Francisco, Chris Nocon and Arnie Umayam.”

Ordoñez auditioned for the role in Hong Kong after learning about it from her management team in The Talent Factory, headed by Ricky Gallardo and Jesse Lucas.

She recalled the whirlwind audition process: “I flew to Hong Kong and everything happened so fast. In the morning, I sang in front of director Matthew Gregory and musical director Amuer Calderon. Then I took the last flight home. After three days, I learned that I got the part.”

To prepare for the role, “I read the script over and over again, focusing on the songs. Before I flew to Hong Kong, the staff already sent me the music pieces.”

She said her favorite part is the duet, “My Future,” in which “Mr. Phileas Fogg (Piper) pours his heart out to Aouda … It’s hauntingly beautiful and powerful.”

She looks up to Lea Salonga and Barbra Streisand. “Lea has proven that the Filipino artist can rank among the best in the world. Barbra is my all-time favorite.”

Since she’ll be away from Manila in the next few months, she’s certain that she’ll get homesick. “I miss my daughter Lian and my cat Mariquita. I miss my bed. I miss sinigang!”

She conceded that, “although the world looks at Filipino artists in a different light now because of Lea and company … there’s still a lot of hard work involved.”

Solid training

Fortunately, she can always rely on her solid theater training in the Philippines.

“I learned so much from my former directors like Bobby Garcia,” she said. “I want to work again with Tanghalang Pilipino (of the Cultural Center of the Philippines) where I learned the basics of musical theater.”

She also dreams of collaborating with Jesse Lucas and Gerard Salonga. “Maybe I can record a CD, in the mold of Sarah Brightman.”

E-mail: bayanisandiego@hotmail.com