Lea Salonga Performs at PhilDev Fundraising Gala Tonight

Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) has announced its annual fundraising gala with a live performance by Tony Award winner Lea Salonga at San Francisco's Nourse Auditorium at City Arts tonight, October 5th at 8p.m.

Lea Salonga's performance at the benefit concert event will kick off Filipino American History month, celebrated annually throughout October. Ms. Salonga is a beloved Filipina actress and singer, best known for her role as Kim in the acclaimed musical, Miss Saigon, for which she garnered the Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards. She played the roles of Eponine and Fantine (Broadway and London) in the global musical phenomenon, Les Miserables, earning rave reviews from audiences and critics worldwide. Lea is the singing voice of Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin, the singing voice of the title role in Mulan, and was honored as a "Disney Legend" in 2011.

Ms.Salonga's program for the PhilDev benefit concert will include an array of musical genres: Broadway favorites, a tribute to her idols Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand, American contemporary pop, and classic Filipino hits.

"We are thrilled that Lea Salonga will be performing at our annual benefit gala in this rare visit to San Francisco," said PhilDev Chair Dado Banatao. "It means so much to us to have a legend like Lea supporting our cause, and showing the world the potential of Filipinos everywhere. This will truly be a night to remember."

PhilDev is a US-based non-profit organization that develops education, research and entrepreneurship programs that support initiatives to accelerate sustainable social and economic growth in the Philippines through science, high technology, and innovation.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.cityboxoffice.com, or by calling 415-392-4400. Ticket prices begin at $110, with a limited number of discount tickets ($55) available for students with valid IDs. Limited VIP tickets are also available, which include a pre-concert reception and after party.

About PhilDev: PhilDev is a non-profit organization, registered in both the United States and the Philippines, with a mission to develop sustainable, long-term economic growth for the Philippines. The organization focuses on programs that develop the nation's economy with the advancement of science and technology through programs in high tech education, research, and entrepreneurship training. For more information about PhilDev, visit www.phildev.org.

About Lea Salonga: Lea Salonga is a Tony Award winning Filipina singer and actress who starred in the lead role of Kim in the global musical blockbuster Miss Saigon. Ms. Salonga played the roles of Eponine and Fantine in another Cameron Mackintosh blockbuster, Les Miserables, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences worldwide, and also starred in the 2002 Broadway revival of The Flower Drum Song. Lea is the singing voice of Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin, the title role in Mulan, and was honored as a "Disney Legend" in 2011.Lea has performed in sold out concerts around the world including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center, The Royal Albert Hall and O2 Arena in London. Ms. Salonga is slated to star on Broadway next season in the new musical Allegiance, alongside George Takei. She is currently a judge on the television show The Voice of the Philippines. Lea proudly serves as Ambassador of Goodwill for the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization.

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