Lea Salonga

Philippino Lea Salonga has combined her talents to great effect in rising to prominence as an actress and singer.

Her Broadway role as Kim in Miss Saigon won her the prestigious Tony Award, while other credits include playing Eponine in Les Misérables, reprising the role in the tenth anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

She recorded her first solo album, Small Voice, when just ten years old, followed by Lea. Both received wide critical acclaim. She has performed for five presidents of the Philippines, three American presidents and Queen Elizabeth II.

Salonga became an FAO Goodwill Ambassador in 2010, and her work so far has included helping raise awareness of a small-scale irrigation and crop initiative in Turlac, Philippines, during a visit to the project.

She is also an advocate for the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) initiative led by FAO, which involves children and youth in environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity.

“It is of great significance to me, as an artist, as a woman, as a mother, to have the opportunity to participate in this global effort to give support to the hungry and impoverished," she said.