Miss Saigon on Track for Film Treatment — Page 4

Again, if they can find a talented non-Filipina singer/actress, that'd be great. It's just the people we know the most about tend to be Filipino for the reasons someone else listed earlier.

Wow, Charice looks a lot older in that photo. Now she's back to being my favorite choice for Kim.

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"Like Lea, Charice has never had any experience in Love let alone love making on screen. "

...and unlike the stage, love scenes can be a lot more graphic on the screen. But then, film has the advantage of body doubles and editing. But how do you know Charice is "inexperienced?"

Lea and Charice have completely different upbringing. They cannot be more polar opposites. They might have been born and grew up in the same country but culturally, environmentally and geographically, they are night and day. So, I think Charice will be coming from a completely different place in playing Kim, if ever, than Lea did.

Updated On: 10/28/09 at 07:36 PM

I still don't see Charice in the role because she's not camera friendly.

I would not mind one bit if they found a new girl - from whatever region of Asia or the world - who's roughly 20 years old (the age Kim died) to play the role.

And I want the film to retain the original keys for the songs. Those are my only wish lists for now.

Ok Vietnamese are of Han Chinese stock, Lea's look if that's the basis of what we are trying to imagine is of Malay stock. Charice although looks Chinese is of Song Chinese stock with Malay (she's darker than the chinese and vietnamese but fairer in complexion than Lea).

True look of Kim should be of Han Chinese so here is some of what I'm thinking off.

Cát Tiên - Vietnamese-American pop singer
Sandara Park - of Girls Power in Korea
Natalise - Burmese-Chinese-American

Cat and Natalise are American and Sandara is Korean born
All have command of English naturally for the 2 and Sandara learned english in the Philippines (grew up there from 6-17) so her english is much like Lea's

"On a related note, that's a big reason I'm such a big fan of Lea Salonga, a native Filipino, who spoke great English even at a young age. I don't think there is another native born Asian, even in the Philippines, who can speak with as little an accent as Lea. Not saying that Lea should be Kim, just that casting should be in America."

You will be suprised...Lea was already in College where the professors REALLY FORCES you to speak in English when she was discovered, same with Monique Wilson. Charice was barely out of highschool when she was discovered but if you look at this vid you wouldnt think that she's a non american born asian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtk0xaY4DyY (Korea Interview)

Also Lea and Charice has the benefit of education in a private school. Lea is from Montesorri School where english only is the norm and Charice is from Gulod National a semi-private school that has only 1 subject taught in Tagalog and that's the Pilipino language everything else is taught in English.

Actually, Lea was raised speaking English because her parents spoke different dialects of Filipino. Lea's Tagalog (the main Filipino dialect) is far from perfect, and she'll be the first to admit it. She is most comfortable with English, always has been. In fact, that's part of the criticism she's had to face as a performer because it was viewed that she was being elitist by speaking English all the time in the Philippines instead of Tagalog. She even got slammed for picking up the British accent when she did SAIGON in London.

Now, when you see her on TV in the Philippines, she makes an effort to speak in English with a slightly forced accent so as to make her more accessible to the masses.

No judgments. That's just how Lea rolls. Always has.

Dshar, just because you are taught in English in school doesn't mean you can speak English without an accent. Even Monique Wilson didn't speak as well as Lea. And sorry, I can tell Charice isn't American in that video.

jsg03jd, I knew she grew up speaking mainly English, but I never knew the reason. Thanks, I always wanted to find out why.

Updated On: 10/28/09 at 11:10 PM

Yah im sure Sarah can act although i havent seen any Filipino fims for a long long time.

Ill give you a aqoute from another commentator here:

Why would casting have to be in Asia? There are a lot of Asians from the US.

Why indeed? there are more than 50 Million Asian-Americans here in the USA and basically there are also good singers and actress of Asian heritage that have not been given opportunity.

Charice is very talented coupled with all aces on her side, that's why she got known here in the USA.

Now to get Sarah who is already an established artist in the Philippines? That's a great injustice to Asian-Americans here.

Here chino why don't you read this article about how the Asian Americans see the current state of US entertainment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/world/americas/04iht-singer.4787848.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2

A lot of people supports charice who are non filipino cause she might be the breakthrough artist that will open up pop to Asian-Americans in the US.

And you are correct in your assumption lea and Monique have 10 years of play/acting/showbiz experience before they got discovered. Its also the reason why as a supporter of charice I dont include her on the list for kim cause her acting ability is untested.

Sorry that explanation doesnt hold water cause even me my parents speak different dialects. In fact a lot of Filipino parents are from different regions hence different dialects. It is the Education you recieve like I said...Monique Wilson yeah 1/4 American but she did not came from the same school as Lea did in Highschool.

@new2broadway02 Can you name one Filipino that came from Montessori that doesnt speak like Lea?

Lea got flak cause she was speaking in Taglish which isnt the norm back in the day. It is now the norm in Manila at least more so than any other place in the Philippines.

Updated On: 10/28/09 at 11:32 PM

Dshar, if you're referring to my explanation, that's not something I am generalizing for all Filipinos or is it a story I concocted: Lea has talked about this in the past and her issues with English and Tagalog/Filipino is specific to her. Her mother, Ligaya Salonga, grew up speaking the Ilonggo dialect and didn't even learn Tagalog until later in life. The father spoke Tagalog, so there was that dialect difference so English was the compromise for Lea and Gerard.

Clearly, your situation is different from Lea's and only you can speak of your experience.

And you're making a generalization about all O.B. Montesorri students as well. I'm sure there are graduates from that place that don't speak English with American accents. For every rule, after all, there is indeed an exception.

Dshar, Carla Abellana

Lea speaking good English is probably because she grew up speaking English more than she did Tagalog. jsg03jd is right. Lea has admitted that speaking Tagalog is not something she's good at. If a school is responsible for a Filipino speaking English without an accent, there should be more Filipinos that speak like Lea. But it's not easy to find.