Philippine TV Premiere: Lea Salonga Sings Theme Song of Filipino Animated Film DAYO (Wanderer)

Tony winner Lea Salonga is singing the theme song "Lipad" (Fly) of Filipino animated feature "Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia" (Wanderer in the World of Elementalia), which premieres on Cinema One cable television on December 27, Sunday at 8 p.m.

Though Lea has been the singing voice in animated films before - Princess Jasmine and Fa Mulan in Disney's "Aladdin" and "Mulan" respectively - this is the first time she is singing for a Filipino animated production.

It's rather fitting really because "Dayo" is also a first in itself! This breakthrough full-length, fully-digital animated feature is the first of its kind in Philippine cinematic history.

"Dayo" is about a boy named Bubuy who goes to save his grandparents who have been abducted by enchanted beings and are being held prisoner in mystical land called Elementalia. He is aided and abetted by other fantastical and mythical creatures from Philippine mythology in his quest.

When asked why she agreed to sing the film's theme song, Lea replies, "I had a feeling this was going to be something pretty important... given the technology it employs in order to make the film... given that the story is about facing your fears and conquering obstacles and doing something great for somebody that you love and making your own dreams come true... there's adventure in it, there's comedy in it ... Why wouldn't I be part of something like this?"

Why not indeed? And the fact that it is an all-Filipino, all-original production is a plus for Lea. "It feels great to do something for a Filipino company (Cutting Edge Productions), singing a Filipino song for a Filipino fully-animated film. It's something that I can say, 'This came from my country and I'm proud of this show' ... so to be part of something like this is very special."

"Lipad," composed by Jessie Lasaten and Temi Abad, Jr. and recorded with the FILharmoniKA, conducted by Gerard Salonga, has a very special message as well.

"'Lipad,' when looked at and listened to on its most basic level, is a song of inspiration," enthuses Lea. "The main character is encouraged to overcome his fears for a greater good. However, on a deeper level, it's a song of inspiration to everyone that hears the song: to our animators and artists to fly high and reach their dreams, to our people to dream big and achieve their goals, and to anyone that has any fear that they perhaps might be unable to make their lives better, to 'dream it, and make it happen.' 'Basta't kaya mong isipin, kaya mong gawin' is one line from the song, and I believe that anyone can make their dreams come true, starting with a wish."

"Dayo," an official entry to the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), was second most-awarded in the festival's awards rites held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on December 27, 2008. The film won Best Visual Effects (Robert Quilao), Best Musical Score (Jessie Lasaten; recorded with the FILharmoniKA conducted by Gerard Salonga), Best Theme Song ("Lipad" by Jessie Lasaten and Temi Abad, Jr.; performed by Lea Salonga with the FILharmoniKA conducted by Gerard Salonga), and Best Sound (Whannie Dellosa and Mike Idioma).

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