Lea Salonga says that she doesn’t need the National Artist title

• In an interview with Boy Abunda, she said that there are artists who are “far more deserving” than her.
• She named Nora Aunor as one of those artists, saying that the award is long overdue for the actress.

Internationally recognized singer and broadway actress Lea Salonga stated that she doesn’t really need to be recognized and named as National Artist.

In an interview in The Best Talk with Boy Abunda, the host said that the actress should be named as such but Lea stated that she doesn’t think she’s missing out if she isn’t hailed as a National Artist.

“I don’t really need it. You all can wait till I’m dead,” she said.

“In all seriousness, it’s not that I need that validation necessarily. I think there are artists who are far more deserving.”

Lea added that she’s actually wondering why they don’t give recognition to those who are much more deserving in her opinion. So who does she think should be awarded as a National Artist? It’s none other than the veteran actress Nora Aunor herself.

“Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit hindi pa sila pinaparangalan ng National Artist. Hindi naman kasi pagiging sentimyento yung pabibigay sa kanila nun eh. Karapat-dapat naman na ibigay sa kanila yun dahil kumbaga ang body of work nila at the end of the day, yung ang batayan kung bakit sila papangalanang National Artist.”

Tito Boy then pointed out that if the National Artist title will be given to Nora, she’ll be the first “morena” artist to bear the title. But Lea disagreed with the host saying that it shouldn’t be the main reason why she should be given the recognition.

“No, that’s not why you should give it to her. Just look at what she’s been able to do, not just as an actress, but as a singer and performer. Napapakamot nalang ako ng ulo kung bakit hindi pa binibigay sa kanya,” Lea said.

The actress then said that she’s still grateful for all the recognition despite taking a break from the filmmaking industry.